Authority
Definition
Authority refers to the power or control one has over others. In the context of appointing heads of federal agencies, authority is the right and ability to make those decisions.
Analogy
Think of authority as being like a principal in a school. The principal has the power to appoint teachers, assign students to classes, and make important decisions that affect the entire school.
Related terms
Power: Power is similar to authority but can also refer to influencing or controlling others without necessarily having an official position.
Jurisdiction: Jurisdiction is the official power or legal authority of a government entity or court to interpret and apply laws within a particular area or territory.
Executive Order: An executive order is a directive issued by the President of the United States that manages operations of the federal government.
"Authority" appears in:
Subjects (8)
Practice Questions (8)
Who has the authority to negotiate treaties with foreign nations?
In which role does the President have the authority to negotiate treaties with other countries?
Who has the authority to confirm nominees for federal judgeships?
Who has authority to appoint federal judges including Supreme Court Justices?
Who holds the authority to appoint heads of federal agencies?
Who has authority over confirming appointments to bureaucratic agencies?
If local governments had retained more authority over regulating firearms instead of federal preemption, how could this potentially affect current nationwide consistency in gun laws?
Who has the authority to propose a bill for lawmaking in Congress?
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