Executive Branch

• inherent powers

  powers claimed by a president that are not expressed in the Constitution but are inferred from it
• veto power

  The formal, constitutional authority of the president to reject bills passed by both houses of Congress, thus preventing them from becoming law without further congressional action.
• pocket veto

  A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.
• Commander in Chief

  The role of the president as supreme commander of the military forces of the United States and of the state National Guard units when they are called into federal service
• executive agreements

  Formal international agreements entered into by the president that do not require the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate.
• executive order

  a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.
• signing statement

  A written declaration that a president may make when signing a bill into law. Usually, such statements point out sections of the law that the president deems unconstitutional.
• Articles of Confederation

  1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)
• Federalist 70

  US requires a strong, energetic executive; plural executive is dangerous
• War Powers Act of 1973

  Congressional limits on the presidential power of commander in chief. President can send troops, but must notify Congress, 60 day deployment, 30 day removal unless Congress extends
• Vice President

  President of the Senate
• divided government

  one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress
• Powers of the President

  1. commander in chief 2,. sign a bill (to make it a law) 3. pocket veto 4. power of foreign policy (diplomatic recognition-power to send and receive ambassadors 5. power of appointment 6. pardon 7. required to give a state of union message
• 35 years


  Age requirement for President
• executive privilege

  An implied presidential power that allows the president to refuse to disclose information regarding confidential conversations or national security to Congress or the judiciary.
• Cabinet

  Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments
• impeachment

  Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives
• discretionary authority

  The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws.
• power of the purse

  The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money. Congress can use this as a negative or checking power over the other branches by freezing or cutting their funding.