Chapter 13 Test Flashcards
*ad hoc structure
A method in which the president organizes the White House staff by employing task forces, committees, and informal groups of
friends. All have direct access to the president.
Budget Reform
Act of 1974
A congressional effort to control presidential impoundments. It requires, among other things, that the president spend all appropriated funds. However, if Congress is notified of which funds will not be spent and, within forty-five days, agrees to delete the items, the money can be saved. If the president wishes simply
to delay spending money, Congress must be informed and may refuse the delay by passing a resolution requiring immediate
release of the funds
cabinet
By custom, the heads of the fourteen major executive departments who meet to discuss matters with the president.
These “secretaries” receive their positions by presidential nomination and confirmation by the Senate. They can be
removed at the will of the president. Note: Other members of the president’s administration may be given “cabinet rank.” For example, Madeleine Albright had cabinet rank when she served
as the U.N. ambassador during the first term of the Clinton
administration.
circular structure
A method in which the president organizes the White House staff so that they reporting directly to the president
delegate
representation
The representative is expected to act in accord with the preferences of her/his constituents.
*direct democracy
A form of democracy in which the people legislate for themselves
*divided
government
A government in which one party controls the presidency and a different party controls one or both houses of Congress.
Electoral College
The body that formally selects the president. Each state is allotted electoral votes equal to the number of its representatives and senators in Congress. It can decide how its electors are to be chosen and under what method they cast their votes for president. The candidate for the presidency who receives a majority of these votes wins. If no candidate obtains a majority, the House of Representatives chooses from the top three in electoral votes. executive agencies Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch but outside the structure of the cabinet departments. Their heads typically serve at the pleasure of the president and can be removed at the president’s discretion.
Executive Office of the President
Executive agencies that report directly to the president and whose purpose is to perform staff services for the president. Top positions are filled by presidential nomination with Senate confirmation
executive privilege
A claim by the president that consultations with advisers are confidential and need not be disclosed to the courts or Congress. In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled that such a claim is valid when sensitive military or diplomatic matters are involved, but it refused to recognize an “absolute unqualified” presidential privilege of immunity. During the Clinton administration, executive privilege was further limited in scope.
impeachment
impeachment A form of indictment voted by the House of Representatives. It can be brought against the president, the vice president, and all “civil officers” of the federal government. To be removed from his or her position, the impeached officer must be convicted by a two/thirds vote of the Senate.
implied powers
Powers not specified in the Constitution which the president claims. These powers are asserted by virtue of office.
Impoundment
The refusal of the president to spend money appropriated by Congress. The Constitution is silent on this power, but the Budget Reform Act of 1974 limits the president’s ability to impound funds.
independent agencies
Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch but outside the structure of cabinet departments. Their heads typically serve fixed terms of office and can be removed only for cause.
lame duck
A politician whose power has been diminished because he or she is about to leave office as a result of electoral defeat or statutory limitation.
legislative veto
A method by which Congress delegates authority to the executive branch while retaining oversight power. Either one or both houses under this arrangement may block a proposed executive action. It is frequently used for presidential reorganization plans of the executive branch. These vetoes were declared unconstitutional in 1981.
line-item veto
This allows the president to approve some provisions of a bill and disapprove others. Voted by the Congress, this grant of power was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Created as the Bureau of the Budget in 1921, the OMB was reorganized in 1970. It assembles and analyzes the national budget submitted to Congress by the president. Additional duties include studying the organization and operation of the executive branch, devising plans for reorganizing departments and agencies, developing ways of getting better information about government programs, and reviewing proposals that cabinet departments want included in the president’s legislative program.
perks
A short form of the term “perquisites,” meaning the fringe benefits of office.
pocket veto
One of two ways for a president to disapprove a bill passed by Congress. If the president does not sign the bill within ten days of receiving it, and Congress has adjourned within that time, the bill does not become law.
presidential coattails
The charismatic power of a president which enables congressional candidates of the same party to ride into office on the strength of the president’s popularity. This influence has declined in recent elections.
prime minister
The head of government in a parliamentary system. Chosen by the legislature, this official selects the other ministers of government (usually from among the members of parliament) and remains in power as long as his or her party (or coalition) has a majority of seats in the legislature.
pyramid structure
A method in which the president organizes the White House staff so that assistants report through a hierarchy to a chief of staff.
representative democracy
A form of government in which the people elect representatives to act on their behalf
trustee representation
The representative acts on his or her judgment, and then explains those judgments to the people.
Twenty-fifth Amendment
A constitutional amendment ratified in 1967 which deals with presidential disability. It provides that the vice president is to serve as acting president whenever the president declares an inability to discharge the duties of office or whenever the vice president and a majority of the cabinet declare the president incapacitated. If the president disagrees, a two-thirds vote of Congress is needed to confirm that the president is unable to execute the duties of the office. The amendment also deals with a vacancy in the vice presidency by allowing the president to nominate a new vice president subject to confirmation by a majority vote of both houses.
Twenty-second Amendment
A constitutional amendment ratified in 1951 which limits presidents to two terms of office.
unified government
A government in which the same party controls the presidency and both houses of Congress.
veto message
A statement the president sends to Congress accompanying a refusal to sign a bill passed by both houses. It indicates the president’s reasons for the veto. A two-thirds vote of both houses is necessary to override the veto.
White House Office
Personal assistants to the president with offices in the White House. These aides oversee the political and policy interests of the president and do not require Senate confirmation for appointment. They can be removed at the discretion of the president.
What are the qualifications for the Presidency?
The Constitution states that the president must be a natural-born citizen at least 35 years old and must have resided in the U.S. for at least 14 years.
Where are impeachment charges heard first?
Impeachment charges are heard first by the House Judiciary Committee or by a select committee, which makes recommendations to the full House
Name the National Security powers given to the President by the Constitution
Commander in chief of the armed forces; Make treaties with other nations with two-thirds Senate approval; Nominate ambassadors with majority Senate approval; and Receive ambassadors of other nations (diplomatic recognition on other governments)
Name the Constitutional Powers given to the President by the Constitution
Present the State of the Union to Congress; Propose legislation to Congress; Convene both houses of Congress on special session; Adjourn Congress if both houses cannot agree on adjournment; and Veto legislation (two-thirds vote of each house can override veto)
Name the Administrative Powers given to the President by the Constitution
“Take care that the laws be faithfully executed”; Appoint officials as provided for by Congress with a majority Senate approval; Request written opinions of administrative officials; and Fill administrative vacancies during congressional recesses.
Name the Judicial Powers given to the President by the Constitution
Give reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment); and Appoint federal judges with the agreement of a majority of the Senate.
Describe the events surrounding the shift in public opinion over whether the president should be powerful
By the 1970s, many felt differently.
Lyndon Johnson and the unpopular Vietnam War made people reassess the role of presidential power, and Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal heightened public distrust.
What was the result of the Budgeting and Accounting Act of 1921?
Presidents have the power to recommend agency budgets to Congress
T/F Cabinet is mentioned in Constitution
False
What are the three major policy making bodies of the Executive Office?
Three major policymaking bodies are the National Security Council, the Council of Economic Advisers, and Office of Management and Budget.
Describe National Security Council
This committee links the president’s foreign and military policy advisers.
Formal members are president, vice president, secretary of state, and secretary of defense, and it is managed by president’s national security assistant.
Describe Council of Economic Advisors
A three-member body appointed by the president to advise the president on economic policy.
Describe the Office of Management and Budget
Prepares president’s budget, advises presidents on agencies’ proposals, and reviews agencies’ proposed regulations.
Describe the White House Staff
includes the key aides the president sees daily—the chief of staff, congressional liaison people, press secretary, national security advisor, and a few other administrative political assistants.
Describe Public Approval
A source of presidential leadership of Congress. Public approval gives the president leverage, not command; it does not guarantee success.
Describe Mandates
Perception that the voters strongly support the president’s character and policies.
Mandates are infrequent, but presidents claim a mandate anyway
What are executive agreements? Who can use them?
Presidents negotiate executive agreements with the heads of foreign governments; unlike treaties, executive agreements do not require Senate ratification.
The Constitution’s framers wanted what type of control of the military? Who did they make in charge?
Because the Constitution’s framers wanted civilian control of the military, they made the president the commander in chief of the armed forces.
What is the War Resolution? When was it passed?
A law passed in 1973 due to fighting in Vietnam and Cambodia that requires presidents to consult with Congress whenever possible prior to using military force and to withdraw forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension.
What’s the difference between head of state and head of government?
head of state (ceremonial) and head of government (executive authority)
What are the roles the president plays?
Head of state, chief executive, commander in chief, chief legislator, political party leader, crisis manager, moral persuader
What article of the Constitution are the presidential powers mainly found in?
Article II
T/F Executive Orders are formal powers of Prez
False– not in Constitution
What are two examples of famous executive orders?
Clinton’s “Don’t ask don’t tell” gays in the military policy • FDR’s internment of Japanese Americans
Name famous examples of executive agreements
Jefferson’s purchase of Louisiana in 1803; GWB„s announced cuts in the US nuclear
arsenal without a treaty
Examples of Notable Politicians Ineligible to
be President:
natural born citizen requirement prohibits prominent Americans such as Arnold Schwarzenegger (Austria), and Madeleine Albright (Czechoslovakia) from becoming President
Powers as Commander in Chief
Commander in Chief of the Army & Navy
Commander in Chief of the state militias
(now the National Guard)
Commission all officers
Examples of commander in chief:
Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief during the Civil War 2. FDR during World War II 3. Eisenhower deploys the U.S. Army in Little Rock in 1957 to integrate Central High School 4. George W. Bush deploys National Guard reservists in Iraq
Powers as Chief Executive of the
Government:
“faithfully execute” the laws
require the opinion of heads of executive
departments
grant pardons for federal offenses except
for cases of impeachment
nominate judges of the Supreme Court and
all other officers of the U.S. with consent of
the Senate
fill vacancies that may happen during
recess of the Senate
Examples of powers of chief executive:
- Washington created the first cabinet (1789)
- President Ford pardoned Richard Nixon
(1974) - President Reagan appoints Sandra Day
O’Connor as the first woman justice of the
Supreme Court (1981) - George W. Bush used recess appointment
to John Bolton as Ambassador to the
United Nations after a prolonged Senate
filibuster (2005)
Powers in Foreign Affairs:
appoint ambassadors, ministers and consuls
make treaties subject to Senate confirmation
receive ambassadors
Examples of powers of foreign affairs:
President Kennedy negotiates the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty with the USSR (1963) 2. President Bush 41 negotiates the START Treaty with the Soviet Union (1991) 3. President Obama negotiates the New START treaty with Russia (2010)
Legislative Powers:
Give State of the Union address to Congress
Recommend “measures” to the Congress
Upon “extraordinary occasions” convene
both houses of Congress
Examples of legislative powers:
- George Washington gave first State of the
Union Address (1790) - FDR sends to Congress comprehensive
legislative agenda, the New Deal (1933) - Truman convenes special session of Congress
to urge enactment of his domestic agenda after
his renomination for president in 1948
Name some things that occur when the Prez is looking for a cabinet nominee
The White House staff vets
potential cabinet nominees, FBI runs background checks on nominees, The President chooses a nominee, Nominees fill out financial disclosure form, Interest groups weigh in on cabinet nominees
Examples of executive privilege
Nixon‟s refusal to turn over the Watergate
tapes. The Supreme Court in U.S. v.
Nixon, though it did not strike down the
practice of executive privilege in general,
ruled that Nixon must turn over the tapes
2. Clinton‟s refusal to turn over evidence re: an alleged affair with Monica Lewinsky.
The Supreme Court ruled against Clinton
What are the two types of presidents? Describe them
1. Transformational – ones who bring about truly fundamental changes – Clear sense of purpose – “visionary” – took risks – Value driven (has ‘core values’ that become policy) – inspired others 2. Transactional – ones who effect incremental improvements – might adapt their style and behavior to meet the perceived expectations of the people – are viewed in history as capable but their policies did not fundamentally change the course of the nation
Impeachment is investigated by the _____, and if impeached, tried by the _____ with the _____ ______ presiding.
House; Senate; Chief Justice
What 2 presidents have been impeached?
Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton
What Supreme Court case dealt with War Powers?
Korematsu v. US
Describe two types of White House staff
pyramidal- structured as a hierarchy; ensures clear chain of command; filters out unnecessary info; may insulate Prez
circular- surrounded by advisers w/equal access to Pres; allows info from a variety of sources; may permit too much access to Prez
