Presidential Power Vocab

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Delegated Power

Back 1

Constitutional powers assigned to one governmental agency but exercised by another agency with the expressed permission of the first.

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Inherent Powers

Back 2

Powers claimed by a president that are not expressed in the Constitution but are inferred from it.

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Expressed Powers

Back 3

The notion that the Constitution grants to the federal government only those powers specifically named in its text.

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Circular Structure

Back 4

Several of the president's assistants report directly to him.

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Pyramid Structure

Back 5

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

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Pocket Veto

Back 6

A veto that is effected when Congress adjourns during the time a president has to approve a bill and the president takes no action on it.

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Veto

Back 7

The president’s constitutional power to turn down acts of Congress within ten days of their passage while Congress is in session. A presidential veto may be overridden by 2/3s vote of each house of Congress

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Line-Item Veto

Back 8

The power of the executive to veto specific provisions (lines) of a bill passed by the legislature.

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Divided Government

Back 9

The condition in American government in which the presidency is controlled by one party while the opposing party controls one or both houses of Congress.

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Unified Government

Back 10

The same party that controls the White House controls both houses of government.

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Electoral College

Back 11

The presidential electors from each state who meet in their respective state capitals after the popular election to cast ballots fro president and vice president.

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Presidential Coattails

Back 12

The ability of a Presidential candidate to bring out supporters who then vote for his party's candidates for other offices.

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22nd Amendment

Back 13

The tenure of the president limited. No person shall be elected to the office of President more than twice.

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White House Office

Back 14

Presidential staff whom oversee the policy interests of the president. Can be hired and fired whenever they are not positions like the cabinet that are appointed.

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Executive Privilege

Back 15

The claim that confidential communications between the president and the president’s close advisers should not be revealed without the consent of the president.

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25th Amendment

Back 16

Vice President is to become President in case of removal of the President from office or his death or resignation. Choice of a new Vice President- The President shall nominate a Vice- President with a confirmation majority vote by both houses. President may declare own disability duties shall be discharged by the Vice- President as acting President. Legislation that specifies the conditions and order of succession to the presidency and vice presidency when the president leaves office before completion of his term

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Impoundment

Back 17

The refusal of the President to spend money that has been appropriated by congress.

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Budget Reform Act (‘74)

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Requires the president to spend all appropriated funds unless he first tells Congress what funds he wishes not to spend and Congress, within forty five days, agrees to delete the items. If he wishes simply to delay spending the money, he need only informa Congress, but Congress then can refure the delay by passing a resolution requiring the immediate release of the money. Federal courts have upheld the rule that the president must spend, without delay for policy reasons, money that Congress has appropriated.

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War Powers Act

Back 19

A United States Congress joint resolution 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.