Formal & Informal Powers
A pact other than a treaty made with a foreign government.
What is an Executive Agreement?
It allowed system of hiring to transition from patronage to civil service.
What is the Pendelton Civil Service Act? (1883)
The relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group.
What is an iron triangle?
This department of the US cabinet, created in 1789, handles foreign affairs.
What is the State Department?
One of the 7 roles of the President that is not expressed in the Constitution.
What is Chief of the Political Party?
The President's ability to veto certain passages in a bill.
What is a Line Item Veto?
Requires presidents to consult with congress whenever possible prior to using military force and to withdraw forces after 60 days unless congress declares war or grants an extension.
What is the War Powers Act/Resolution? (1973)
The period at the beginning of a new president’s term during which the president enjoys generally positive relations with the press and Congress
What is the honeymoon period?
This part of the US cabinet, created in 2002, is responsible for protecting against terrorism and natural disasters.
What is the Department of Homeland Security?
The president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public.
What is the Bully Pulpit?
Appointments the President can make that will be confirmed by the Senate.
What are Supreme Court Justices, foreign ambassadors, and other "principal officers"?
Blocks federal employees from participating in partisan politics.
What is the Hatch Act? (1939)
When a president kills a bill passed during the last 10 days Congress is in session by simply refusing to act on it
What is a pocket veto?
This department of the US cabinet, created in 1903, aids businesses and conducts the US census.
What is the Department of Commerce?
A role the President does NOT have as Commander in Chief.
What is declaring war?
A written declaration that a president may make when signing a bill into law. Usually to point out sections of the law that the president deems unconstitutional. *A rare occurance
What is a Signing Statement?
Requires the President to spend all funds appropriated by Congress unless Congress approves of not spending (impoundment isn't allowed).
What is the Budget Reform Act? (1974)
Gives the President the right to keep some information secret from Congress and the courts
What is executive privilege ?
This department of the US cabinet, created in 1953, is responsible for public health and social services.
What is the Department of Health and Human Services?
The seven roles of the presidency.
What are Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Legislator, Chief Diplomat, Chief Party Leader, Chief Economic Planner, and Commander in Chief?
This allows the president to withhold documents and information from other branches of government.
What is Executive Privilege?
The order of succession as designated by the Presidential Succession Act of 1947.
What is the significance of this list: Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tem of the Senate, and Secretary of State?
The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws.
What is Discretionary Authority?
This department of the US cabinet, created in 1849, is responsible for natural resources, wildlife, and public land.
What is the Department of the Interior?
One is for domestic policy and the other for foreign affairs. The president has more success in leading Congress on matters of national security than on matters of domestic policy.
What are the "Two Presidencies"?