Executive Branch - Test Flashcards by Penelope Whitten

major function of the executive branch

to enforce the law

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ceremonial head of the government and symbol of the American people

Chief of State

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power to enforce the law (most powerful position in the world)

Chief Executive

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CEO of the Federal government (employs about 4 million people)

Chief Administrator

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architect of foreign policy (relationship with other countries)

Chief Diplomat

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head of the US armed forces (1.4 million)

Commander in Chief

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architect of public policy (ideas for laws)

Chief Legislator

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leader of their political party

Chief of Party

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the representative of all of the people of the USA

Chief Citizen

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7 powers of the President:

1) Appointment Power: (Cabinet, federal judges, etc.) about 4,000
2) Power to convene Congress: (State of the Union Address, special sessions)
3) Power to make treaties
4) Executive Orders: (a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the gov. and having the force of the law)
- law only within the executive branch
5) Veto power: reject legislation
6) Commander in Chief: (head of the armed forces)
- can use army but cannot declare war
7) Pardoning Power: (grant releases to criminals)

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formal qualifications to be president

1) be 35 years old
2) be a “natural born citizen”
3) have lived in the US for at least 14 years

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place where the president does their work

Oval Office

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amendment that put limits on the Presidential term

22nd Amendment

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salary of president

$400,000

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fringe benefits of being president

$50,000 expense account
2 houses - White House and Camp David
Air Force One (2 airplanes)
Cadilac One (The Beast) - 5 cars
Marine One (helicopter)
free health care
$200,000 pension
lifetime secret service protection

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which amendment deals with presidential disability and succession?

25th Amendment

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presidential succession order

1) Vice President
2) Speaker of the House
3) President Pro-tempore
4) Secretary of State
etc.

the vice president will become president if…

1) the president informs congress, in writing, that he/she is unable to perform their duties
2) the vice president and majority of the Cabinet inform congress, in writing, that the president is unable to perform his/her duties

the charge of high crimes and misdemeanors covers allegations of misconduct by officials

Impeachment

two formal duties of the Vice President

1) Preside over the Senate
- can’t debate
- only can vote to break a tie!
2) Help decide disability of president

unofficial duties of the Vice President

Spokesperson for the President
Represent the president at important events/ceremonies (if the president cannot attend)

formal qualifications of a vice president

same as those of a president!
- because they can become president

salary of a vice president

$230,700

2 steps of Presidential selection

1) Popular Vote
2) Electoral College

a group chosen from each state to formally select the President and vice president

Electoral College

representation of the electoral college

based on the number of representatives (435) + senators (100) + 3 for Washington D.C = 538

why is the electoral college important?

1) protects against the tyranny of the majority 2) discourages voter fraud 3) gives a voice to both the large and small states

how many votes in the popular vote does a candidate need to take all of the electoral votes and win?

270

four divisions of the executive branch

1) President 2) Vice President 3) Federal Agencies/The Cabinet 4) Independent Agencies/Commissions

what dept. of the Cabinet isn't headed by a secretary?

the Department of Justice, which is headed by the Attorney General

jobs of the Cabinet

1) Administer their dept./agency 2) Advise the president

oldest dept. in the Cabinet

Department of State

largest dept. in the Cabinet

Department of Defense - includes all of the armed forces

newest dept. in the Cabinet

Department of Homeland Security (terrorism) - includes the Secret Service

Secretaries that work the closest with the president

Sec. of State and the Sec. of Defense

what are independent agencies/commissions

agencies not under direct control of the president - agencies that run outside of the Cabinet - not totally funded by the gov. (semi-private businesses)

why are independent agencies outside of the Cabinet?

to keep them away from political influence/pressures

examples of independent agencies

1) NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) 2) Federal Reserve (US Banking) 3) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) 4) FDA (Food and Drug Administration) 5) US Postal Service 6) CIA (Central Intelligence Agency)

unofficial roles of the First Lady

1) Involvement in political campaigns 2) Management of the White House 3) Hostess for all of the White House parties/dinners

Top 6 Personal Staff in the White House

1) Chief of Staff: president's private secretary (White House Manager) 2) Press Secretary: president's public spokesperson 3) Executive Office of the President (EOP): main advisors on foreign + domestic policy 4) National Security Director: in charge of nation's security 5) Director of National Intelligence Agency 6) White House Council: chief lawyer to the president