1.
4%: Percent of presidential vetoes that have been overridden
2.
ad hoc structure: A method in which the president organizes his personal staff that employs task forces, committees, and informal groups of friends dealing directly with him.
3.
Andrew Jackson: President that established the powerful nature of the presidency
4.
Andrew Jackson: This president began the expansion of presidential power by vetoing more bills than any of his successors
5.
Budget Reform Act of 1974: A congressional effort to control presidential impoundments. It requires, among other things, that the president spend all appropriated funds unless he first tells Congress which funds he wishes not to spend and Congress, within forty-five days, agrees to delete the items.
6.
bully pulpit: The president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public
7.
Cabinet: By custom, the heads of the fourteen major executive departments who meet to discuss matters with the president.
8.
circular structure: A method in which the president organizes his personal staff that has cabinet secretaries and assistants reporting directly to the president.
9.
direct democracy: A form of democracy in which the people legislate for themselves.
10.
divided government: A government in which one party controls the White House and a different party controls one or both houses of Congress.
11.
electoral college: The body that formally selects the president.
12.
executive agencies: Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch but outside the structure of cabinet departments.
13.
Executive Office of the President: Executive agencies that report directly to the president and whose purpose is to perform staff services for the president.
14.
executive privilege: A claim by the president entitling him to withhold information from the courts or Congress.
15.
gridlock: The inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government
16.
impeachment: A form of indictment voted on by the House of Representatives. It can be brought against the president, the vice president, and all "civil officers" of the federal government.
17.
impoundment: The refusal of the president to spend money appropriated by Congress.
18.
independent agencies: Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch but outside the structure of cabinet departments. Their heads typically serve fixed terms of office and can be removed only for cause.
19.
inherent powers: Powers not specified in the Constitution which the president claims. These powers are asserted by virtue of office.
20.
INS v Chada: Supreme Court ruling that declared legislative vetoes unconstitutional in 1981.
21.
lame duck: A politician whose power has been diminished because he or she is about to leave office as a result of electoral defeat or statutory limitation.
22.
leaders in Washington and other politicians: The audience that is the most important for the president to impress
23.
legislative veto: A method by which Congress in a law allows either one or both houses to block a proposed executive action.
24.
line item veto: An executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature
25.
Office of Management and Budget: It assembles and analyzes the national budget submitted to Congress by the president.
26.
perks: A short form of the term "perquisites," meaning the fringe benefits of office.
27.
pocket veto: If the president does not sign the bill within ten days of receiving it, and Congress has adjourned within that time, the bill does not become law.
28.
president: This elected office is an American invention
29.
presidential coattails: The charismatic power of a president which enables congressional candidates of the same party to ride into office on the strength of his popularity. This influence has declined in recent elections.
30.
prime minister: The head of government in a parliamentary system.
31.
propinquity: It is implied that the ability of a presidential assistant to influence the president is governed by who is in the room when the decision is made.
32.
pyramid structure: A method in which the president organizes his personal staff that has most assistants reporting through a hierarchy to a chief of staff.
33.
recissions: Presidential recommendations to cut parts of appropriations bills; a 1996 law allows the president's recissions to go into effect unless they are overridden by a two-thirds vote in Congress.
34.
representative democracy: A form of government in which the people elect representatives to act on their behalf.
35.
Twenty-fifth Amendment: A constitutional amendment ratified in 1967 which deals with presidential disability. It provides that the vice president is to serve as acting president whenever the president declares he is unable to discharge the duties of office or whenever the vice president and a majority of the cabinet declare the president incapacitated. If the president disagrees, a two-thirds vote of Congress is needed to confirm that the president is unable to execute his duties.
36.
Twenty-second Amendment: A constitutional amendment ratified in 1951 which limits presidents to two terms of office.
37.
unified government: A government in which the same party controls the presidency and both houses of Congress.
38.
US v Nixon: Supreme Court ruling that stated that there is no "absolute unqualified" presidential privilege of immunity.
39.
veto message: A statement the president sends to Congress accompanying a refusal to sign a bill passed by both houses. It indicates the president's reasons for the veto. A two-thirds vote of both houses overrides the veto.
40.
War Powers Act of 1973: United States federal law providing that the President can send U.S. armed forces into action abroad only by authorization of Congress or if the United States is already under attack or serious threat.
41.
White House Office Personal: These aides oversee the political and policy interests of the president and do not require Senate confirmation for appointment. They can be removed at the discretion of the president.
