Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution
Definition
A clause in Article II of the U.S. Constitution that provides that the president may nominate and, with advice and consent of the Senate, appoint principal officers of the U.S. government (including ambassadors, cabinet secretaries, U.S. Supreme Court Justices, and other principal officers), and that Congress may by law vest the appointment of inferior officers in the president alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. “Advise and consent” of the Senate means that the Senate must confirm presidential appointments of principal officers.