Executive Branch - Test Flashcards
major function of the executive branch
to enforce the law
ceremonial head of the government and symbol of the American people
Chief of State
power to enforce the law (most powerful position in the world)
Chief Executive
CEO of the Federal government (employs about 4 million people)
Chief Administrator
architect of foreign policy (relationship with other countries)
Chief Diplomat
head of the US armed forces (1.4 million)
Commander in Chief
architect of public policy (ideas for laws)
Chief Legislator
leader of their political party
Chief of Party
the representative of all of the people of the USA
Chief Citizen
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)
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
place where the president does their work
Oval Office
amendment that put limits on the Presidential term
22nd Amendment
salary of president
$400,000
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
which amendment deals with presidential disability and succession?
25th Amendment
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
