Title: AP US Govt Unit Five - Executive Branch Flashcards | Quizlet
Headings: AP US Govt Unit Five - Executive Branch
AP US Govt Unit Five - Executive Branch
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Content: Executive Departments
Generally, the largest and most important agencies of the federal government, referred to as Departments (State, Defense, Justice, etc.) - there are 15. Cabinet Secretaries
The leaders of the Executive Departments are called Secretaries (e.g. Secretary of State) with the exception of the Justice Department, whose head is the Attorney General
Cabinet
The leaders of the Executive Departments are collectively known as this - a group that for most presidents meets together weekly. Independent Agencies
These are agencies of the federal government that are not considered generally as important - they don't have Cabinet status - examples: NASA, EPA, Social Security Administration, etc. Independent Regulatory Commissions
Agencies that regulate specific parts of the economy, they are headed by boards whose members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for specific terms - they cannot be fired, which is meant to limit the political influence on them by the President and Congress - e.g. Federal Reserve, SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), FCC, etc. Government Corporations
These are federal bodies that essentially run as government businesses - they are headed by boards designed to be as independent as possible of political influence by the President and Congress - Post Office, AMTRAK, Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac (mortgage insurers), etc. Pendleton Act
Law passed under Pres. Arthur that restricted the Spoils System, creating the Classified Service where jobs are given based on objective criteria such as an exam
Spoils System
The system of giving government jobs to political supporters, also called patronage. It dominated federal hiring in the 19th century but is very restricted today
Civil Service Exam
This is a test of applicants for federal jobs - most of the time the person with the highest score gets the job.