2.2 Review Flashcards
Bully Pulpit
A public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue
Cabinet
The cabinet is an advisory body made up of heads of 15 executive departments
Executive order
A declaration by the president that has the force of law
Oval Office
The office of the president of the United States
Commander-in-Chief
Role of the president that dictates where and when to deploy armed forces
Executive privilege
The authority of the president to withhold documents or information in their possession
Veto
A rejection of a bill by the president
White House Staff
The staff that works for and reports directly to the president
Chief of Staff
Responsible for directing, managing, and overseeing all policy development, daily operations, and staff activities
President Qualifications
Natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the country for at least 14 years
What does the president do? (Executive)
The president executes, enforces, and interprets all federal laws
Ordinance Power
The power to issue executive orders to carry out constitutional duties
Appointment Power
Appoints cabinet members, ambassadors, diplomats, heads of agencies, federal judges, and military officers
What does the president do? (Diplomatic)
The president makes treaties with foreign nations (Subject to 2/3 Senate approval)
Executive Agreements
A pact between the president and a head of a foreign state (No Senate approval required)
Recognition
The president recognizes foreign nations, granting them legitimacy
What does the president do? (Legislative)
The president recommends legislation through the State of the Union Address, Budget Message, and Economic Report
Checks on the legislative branch
Signs bill into law, Veto, Do nothing (Becomes law after 10 days without presidential signature), Pocket veto (Bill dies if Congress ends session in less than 10 days without presidential signature), Call “Special Sessions” of Congress
What does the president do? (Judicial)
The president can grant legal forgiveness of a federal crime (pardon or amnesty (group of violators)) and select federal judges
Checks on presidential power
2 term limit (22nd amendment), Congressional investigations, and Impeachment
Parts of the executive branch
President, VP, Executive Office of the President, Cabinet
Responsibilities of the president
Implement and enforce laws, diplomacy with other nations, and granting pardons
Who must approve the Cabinet members?
The Senate
What is the role of the cabinet?
To supervise their government departments
What do ambassadors do?
Represent the US to foreign nations (appointed by president)
What does the president have the sole power to do?
Make treaties (with Senate approval)
What do treaties do?
End wars or promote trade
What does the president share responsibility with Congress for?
The economy
What factors does overseeing the economy include?
Keeping unemployment down and supporting business
What does the president propose each year?
National budget (how much money each part of the government gets) [must be passed by Congress]
Who can actually declare war on another country?
Congress
Vice President responsibilities
Principal advisor to the president, president of the senate, first in line of succession
Where is the Cabinet mentioned in the constitution?
Article II, Section 2, Clause 1
State Dept.
Handles foreign policy, negotiates treaties and staffs embassies, speaks for United States at United Nations
Treasury Dept.
Financial division of the government, collects taxes and manages debt, mints coins and currency
Dept. of Defense
“War Department” until 1949, ensures America’s security, oversees armed forces
Dept. of Justice
Oversees nation’s legal affairs, police, and prison system, administers explosive and firearm laws, regulates production and distribution of tobacco and alcohol
Dept. of Interior
Protects the public lands and natural resources, oversees relationships with native americans
Dept. of Agriculture
Helps farmers improve incomes and production for home and abroad, develops conservation programs, safeguards food supply
Dept. of Commerce
Seeks to promote job creation and improved living standards, carries out census
Dept. of Labor
Ensures safe working conditions, oversees minimum wages and protects pensions, collects and analyzes data on employment
Dept. of Health and Human Services
Manages federal Medicare and Medicaid programs
Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
Part of the 1965 “Great Society” project, works to assist communities in the nation, ensures equal housing opportunities
Dept. of Transportation
Regulates America’s transportation needs, policies, and planning, works to ensure safe, efficient, and convenient highway, rail, and air transportation, includes FAA
Dept. of Energy
Oversees America’s nuclear program, sets energy policy, researches and develops energy technology, directs research in genomics and the “Human Genome Project”
Dept. of Education
Coordinates federal assistance programs for public and private schools, provides grants and student loans, assists students and schools with special needs
Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs
Oversees medical care for military veterans and families, manages educational programs for veterans
Dept. of Homeland Security
Charged with anti-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cyber security, and disaster prevention and management, newest department created in 2002 after 9/11
Government Bureaucracy
A large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of the government
Two conditions for a lawful executive order
Must relate to executive branch operations or exercise an authority delegated to the president by Congress
Checks/Balances on executive orders
Congress can invalidate through legislation or go through judicial review
Examples of executive orders
Good: Emancipation Proclamation [1863, Lincoln]
Bad: Japanese-American Internment Camps [1942, FDR]
Roles of House and Senate in impeachment
House can impeach, Senate tries the impeachment
What can a federal official be impeached for?
Treason, bribery, high crimes or misdemeanors
Penalty of impeachment
Removal from office
What is a presidential agenda?
Set of policies and goals that the president wants to achieve during their presidency
