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Executive branch Flashcards

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1
Q

Which article establishes the executive branch?

A

Article 2.

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2
Q

What is the major function of the executive branch?

A

To enforce the law.

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3
Q

Name the 8 roles of the president.

A
  1. Chief of State
  2. Chief Executive
  3. Chief Administration
  4. Chief Diplomat
  5. Commander in Chief
  6. Chief Legislator
  7. Chief of Party
  8. Chief of Citizen
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4
Q

What does it mean to be Chief of State?

A

Ceremonial head of the government and the symbol of the American people. (absolutely no power w/ this position)

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5
Q

What does it mean to be Chief Executive?

A

It is the power to enforce the law. (most powerful position in the world since WWII)

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6
Q

What does it mean to be Chief Administration?

A

CEO of the federal government. (employs about 4 million people)

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7
Q

What does it mean to be Chief Diplomat?

A

Architect of foreign policy. (relationship with other countries)

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8
Q

What does it mean to be Commander in Chief?

A

Head of the US armed forces. (1.4 million)

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9
Q

What does it mean to be Chief Legislature?

A

Architect of public policy. (ideas for laws)

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10
Q

What does it mean to be Chief of Party?

A

Leader of their political power.

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11
Q

What does it mean to be Chief Citizen?

A

The representative of all the people of the USA.

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12
Q

Name the 7 powers of the president.

A
  1. Appointment power
  2. Power to convene Congress
  3. Power to make treaties
  4. Executive Orders
  5. Veto power
  6. Commander in Chief power
  7. Pardoning power
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13
Q

What is appointment power?

A

Appointed directly by the president. (cabinet, federal judges, etc.) About 4000 total.

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14
Q

What is the power to convene Congress?

A

The power of the president to begin congress including State of the Union Address and special sessions.

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15
Q

What is the power to make treaties?

A

An agreement between two or more countries.

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16
Q

What is an executive order?

A

A rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law. It’s like a law within the executive branch.

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17
Q

What is Veto power?

A

Rejects a bill and refuses to sign it.

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18
Q

What is Commander in Chief power?

A

He makes all final decisions when it comes to military operations.

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19
Q

What is pardoning power?

A

He can grant releases to criminals. (as in white collar crime, money, political, etc.)

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20
Q

What are the formal qualifications of a president? (3)

A
  1. Be a “natural born citizen”
  2. Be at least 35 years old
  3. Have lived in the USA for at least 14 years
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21
Q

What is the oval office?

A

Place where the President does their work in the West wing of the White House

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22
Q

Which amendment establishes the presidents term?

A

22 Amendment.

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23
Q

How many terms/years can a president serve?

A

Two 4-year terms or no more than ten years.

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24
Q

What is the president’s salary and benefits?

A

$400,000 plus fringe benefits
1. $50,000 per year expense account.
2. Free health care
3. Pension ($200,000)
4. Lifetime secret service protection

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25
Q

What are the components of the White House? (6)

A
  1. 2 houses
  2. 4 main floors
  3. 132 rooms
  4. 35 bathrooms
  5. 3 kitchens
  6. 55 thousand square feet
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26
Q

What is Camp David?

A

The president’s summer retreat home.

27
Q

What are the president’s rides?

A
  1. Air force 1 (2 of these)
  2. Cadilac 1 (the beast)
  3. Marine 1 (helicopter)
28
Q

What does the 25th Amendment deal with?

A

Presidential succession and disability. Answers the question, “Who becomes president in the event of death, disability, or resignation?”

29
Q

Name the first four in the list of presidential succession?

A
  1. Vice President
  2. Speaker of the House
  3. President pro tempore of the Senate
  4. Secretary of State
30
Q

When can the Vice President become acting president? (2)

A
  1. The president informs Congress, in writing, that he/she is unable to perform his duties.
  2. The vice president and the majority of the Cabinet inform Congress, in writing, that the president is unable to perform duties.
31
Q

What is impeachment?

A

The charge of high crimes and misdemeanors covers allegations of misconduct by officials.

32
Q

What are the 2 formal duties of the vice president?

A
  1. Preside over the senate (can’t debate and only votes as a tie breaker)
  2. Help decide disability of the president
33
Q

Who chooses the vice president? Why?

A

Chosen by the presidential candidate to “balance the ticket” (yin and yang/most votes).

34
Q

What are the VP’s unofficial roles?

A
  1. Spokesperson for the president
  2. Represent president at important events/ceremonies
35
Q

What are the qualifications for the VP?

A

Same as president. (because he/she could become president)

36
Q

What is a VP’s salary?

A

$230,700

37
Q

What is the US Naval Observatory?

A

VP’s residence (only while he is in office)

38
Q

What are the two steps in the presidential election?

A
  1. Popular vote (people)
  2. Electoral college
39
Q

What is the electoral college?

A

A group of people (electors) chosen from each state to formally select the President and Vice President. (free to vote against popular vote but rarely do)

40
Q

What is representation in the electoral college based on?

A
  • The number of representatives plus senators plus three for Washington DC.
  • 435+100+3=538
41
Q

What is “winner takes all”?

A

Winner of the popular vote in that state take all of the electoral votes (270 to win)

42
Q

Why is the electoral college important? (3)

A
  1. Protects against the tyranny of the majority
  2. Discourages voter fraud
  3. Gives a voice to both large and small states
43
Q

What are the four divisions of the executive branch?

A
  1. President
  2. Vice president
  3. The Cabinet
  4. Independent agencies
44
Q

How many departments does the cabinet consist of?

A

15

45
Q

What were the original 4 executive departments? Who Led each one first as a secretary?

A
  1. Dept. of state (Thomas Jefferson)
  2. Dept. of Treasury (Alexnder Hamilton)
  3. Dept. of defense (Henry Knox)
  4. Dept. of Justice (Edmund Randolph)
46
Q

What was the cabinet originally?

A

A custom started by George Washington.

47
Q

Who is the head of the Dept. of Justice?

A

Attorney General

48
Q

Who appoints the attorney general?

A

They are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

49
Q

What are the two jobs of the attorney general?

A
  1. Administer their department/agency
  2. Advise the president
50
Q

What is the oldest department?

A

Dept. of State

51
Q

What is the largest department?

A

Debt. of Defense

52
Q

What is the newest department?

A

Department of homeland security (terrorism/2001) Includes secret services.

53
Q

What two secretaries work closest with the president?

A

Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State

54
Q

What are independent agencies?

A

Agencies that run outside the cabinet departments to keep them away from political pressures/influences.

55
Q

What kind of business are independent agencies?

A

Semi-private, meaning not totally funded by the government (150 total).

56
Q

Name six examples of independent agencies.

A
  1. NASA
  2. Federal Reserve
  3. EPA
  4. FDA
  5. CIA
  6. US Postel Service
57
Q

Who is the first lady?

A

The president’s wife. (no official government roles)

58
Q

What are the first lady’s 3 unofficial roles?

A
  1. Involvement in political campaigns
  2. Management of the White House
  3. Hostess for all White House parties/dinners
59
Q

What are the top 6 positions of the White House staff?

A
  1. Chief of Staff
  2. Press Secretary
  3. EOP
  4. National Secretary Director
  5. Director of National Intelligence Agency
  6. White House Council
60
Q

Who is the Chief of Staff?

A

President’s private secretary (assistant/top position)

61
Q

Who is the Press Secretary?

A

President’s public spokesperson.

62
Q

What is EOP?

A

Executive Office of the President: main advisors on foreign and domestic policy

63
Q

What does the National Security Director do?

A

In charge of nation’s security.

64
Q

What is the secret service?

A

Personal protection for the president and vice president and their families.

Government (3 decks)

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