 | Term | Definition |
| |
mandate |
expressed will of the people, strong popular support |
| |
forum |
medium for discussion |
| |
congressional override (of a veto) |
the power that Congress has to pass legislation over a president's veto |
| |
War Powers Act |
lets the President use the military for 60 days, without a formal declaration of war by Congress. It also grants an additional 30 days upon a formal request by the President, whether Congress agrees or not. |
| |
executive orders |
rules that have the force of law that presidents issue to spell out many of the details of policies and programs Congress enacts |
| |
impoundment |
when the president puts aside, or refuses to spend, the money Congress has appropriated for a certain purpose |
| |
reprieve |
when the president grants a postponement of legal punishment |
| |
pardon |
when the president grants a release from legal punishment |
| |
amnesty |
a group pardon to people for an offense against the government |
| |
Council of Economic Advisers |
a group that studies the economy and helps prepare the report for the president |
| |
patronage |
appointment to political office (which rewards people who support the president and party during an election) |
| |
treaties |
formal agreements between the governments of two or more countries |
| |
executive agreements |
pacts between the president and the head of a foreign government |
| |
de facto |
existing "in fact" rather than legally, in this case a person who actually practices the presidents power (e.g. Reagan's brother) |
| |
executive privilege |
the right of the president and other high-ranking officers, with the president's consent, to refuse to provide information to Congress or a court |
| |
538 |
total number of electoral college votes possible |
| |
270 |
total number of electoral college votes needed to win the election |
| |
435+100+3 |
electoral college votes from the House+Senate+Washington D.C. |
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