2017-18 AP US Government Need to Know, Thursday, March 1st
Chapter 12 Key Terms
1. 22nd Amendment: The amendment that limits presidents to two terms of office.
2. Impeachment: The political equivalent of an indictment in criminal law, prescribed by the Constitution. Impeachable offenses include “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”
3. Watergate: The events and scandal surrounding a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972 and the subsequent cover-up of White House involvement, leading to the eventual resignation of President under the threat of impeachment. Link to:
4. 25th Amendment: This amendment permits the vice president to become acting president if both the vice president and the president’s cabinet determine that the president is disabled. The amendment also outlines how a recuperated president can reclaim the job.
5. Cabinet: A group of presidential advisors not mentioned in the Constitution, although every president has had one. Today the cabinet is composed of 14 secretaries and the attorney general.
6. National Security Council: Committee that links the president’s foreign and military policy advisers. It includes: President,
(NSC) VP, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense
7. Council of Economic: Three member group appointed by the President to advise the President on economic policy
Advisors (CEA)
8. Office of Management
and Budget (OMB): Consisting of a handful of political appointee and hundreds of skilled professionals. The OMB performs both managerial and budgetary functions. See also Congressional Budget Office.
9. Veto: The constitutional power of the president to send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it. A two-thirds vote in each house can override a veto.
10. 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.
11. War Powers Resolution: A law passed in 1973 in reactions to American fighting in Vietnam and Cambodia, requiring president’s to a. consult with Congress whenever possible prior to using military force and to b. withdraw forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension. Presidents view the resolution as unconstitutional. Link to: legislative veto; INS v. Chadha, 1983.
12. Legislation Veto: The ability of Congress to override a presidential decision.
13. INS v. Chadha, 1983 U.S. Supreme Court case striking down the legislative veto on account of its violation of the separation of powers.
14. U.S. v. Nixon, 1974 U.S. Supreme Court case defining executive privilege and limiting the president’s use of it in cases of national security.
15. Impoundment The practice of temporarily or permanently stopping the flow of funds that Congress has already approved. DEFERRMENT OR RESCIND
16. Budget and Impoundment
Control Act, 1974 Legislation creating the Congressional Budget Office and requiring congressional approval for the president’s use of impoundment.
17. Korematsu v. U.S., 1944 U.S. Supreme Court case upholding the constitutionality of internment camps for Japanese Americans.
18. Clinton v. N.Y.C., 1998 U.S. Supreme Court case that strikes down the line-item veto, passed by Congress only two years earlier.
19. 20th Amendment: Known as the “Lame Duck Amendment”, it changed the inauguration from March 4th to January 20th among other things.
20. Line-Item Veto: 1996 law granting the president the authority to propose rescinding funds in appropriations bills and tax provisions that apply to only a few people (pork barrel). Once the president signed taxing or spending bills, he had five days to propose rescissions; such rescissions or cuts could only become law only if Congress passed them as separate bills which could then be subject to presidential veto. In 1998, the Supreme Court declared the power unconstitutional in Clinton v. City of New York, 1998.
21. Presidential Coattails: These occur when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president’s/president-elect’s party because they support the president/president-elect. Link to: Lightning Rod Effect
22. Executive Agreements: These are as binding as treaties, but do not require the consent of the Senate. They are usually routine, and deal with non-controversial subjects.
23. Executive Orders: These are as binding as laws, but do not require the consent of Congress.
24. Executive Privilege: Conversations between Pres and advisors (secret)
25. Signing Statement: Statements issued by the president at the time a congressional enactment (law) is signed that, in addition to providing general commentary on the bills, they identify provisions of the legislation with which the president has concerns and (1) provide the president’s interpretation of the language of the law, (2) announce constitutional limits on the implementation of some of its provisions, or (3) indicate directions to executive branch officials as to how to administer the new law in an acceptable manner.
26. Ethics in Government: Required presidential appointees to disclose their financial records. LINK to Watergate
Act of 1978
27. Bully Pulpit: A public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue.
"He could use the presidency as a bully pulpit to bring out the best in civic life."