Ap Gov Vocab Ch 14

Front 1

divided government

Back 1

one party controls the White HOuse and another pary controls one or both housees of Congress

Front 2

unified government

Back 2

The same party controls the white House and both houses of Congress

Front 3

gridlock

Back 3

The inability of the governments to act because rival praties control different parts of the government

Front 4

electoral college

Back 4

The people chosen to cast each stat's voters in a presidential election. Each state can cast one electoral vote for each senator and representative it has. The Districat of Columbia hos three elctoral votes, even though it cannot elect a representative or senator

Front 5

pyramid structure

Back 5

A president's subordinates report to him througha clear chain of command headed by a chief of staff

Front 6

circular structure

Back 6

Several of the president's assistants report directly to him

Front 7

ad hoc structure

Back 7

several subordinates, cabinet officersm, and committes report directly to the president on different matters

Front 8

cabinet

Back 8

the heads of the fifteen executive branch departments of the federal government

Front 9

bully pulpit

Back 9

the president's use of his prestige and bisibility to guide or enthuse the American public

Front 10

veto messatge

Back 10

A message from the president to Congress stating that he will not sign a bill it has passed. Must be produced within ten days of the bill's passage

Front 11

pocket veto

Back 11

a bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within ten days before congress adjourns

Front 12

line-item veto

Back 12

An executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature

Front 13

signing statement

Back 13

A presidential document that reveals what the president hinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced

Front 14

legislative veto

Back 14

The authority of Congress to block apresidential action after it has taken place. The supremem court has held that Congress does not have this power

Front 15

impeachment

Back 15

Charges against a president approved by a mojority of the House of Representatives

Front 16

lame duck

Back 16

A person still in office after he or she has lost a bid for reelection