executive office of the president (EXOP)

Question 1

what is the EXOP?

Answer 1

the top staff agencies in the white house that assist the president in carrying out their main responsibilities

Question 2

why has the EXOP only really existed since the 1930s?

Answer 2

-has been a huge increase in the size and scale of the federal gov.
-FDR’s new deal involved heavy federal intervention
-America’s increased role in the world - often seen as the world’s policeman

Question 3

who are the Vice Presidents for the 2024 election?

Answer 3

-Harris = Tim Waltz
-Trump = JD Vance

Question 4

how is the VP normally elected?

Answer 4

through a joint ticket with the president

Question 5

what is the other way that a VP can be elected? (with example)

Answer 5

-if the post becomes vacant during a term in office then the president can appoint a new VP
-in 1973 Nixon’s VP resigned over a charge of tax invasion, leading Nixon to appoint congressman Ford as VP

Question 6

what 4 powers does the constitution give the VP?

Answer 6

1. presiding officer of the senate (normally done by a deputy)
2. power to break a tie in the senate e.g. Dick Cheney cast a tie-breaking vote in 2001 to protect president Bush’s $1.6 trillion tax cut
3. counting and announcing the results of electoral college votes
4. the VP becomes president if a president dies, resigns or is removed from office e.g. Ford following Nixon’s resignation

Question 7

what is the white house office?

Answer 7

-comprised of the president’s most trusted and closest aides and advisors
-it’s one of the executive offices but itself is divided into 30 different offices
-run by the chief of staff

Question 8

why is the role of chief of staff important aka what does it involve?

Answer 8

-they control information and access to the president (why they are known as ‘the gatekeeper’
-they draw up the president’s daily schedule
-they monitor the president’s staff
-they are ‘lightning conductors’ when things go wrong
-they should serve the president and protect him from harm
-they have to inform the president what they don’t want to hear
-the best CoS will always seek the president’s best interests rather than their own

Question 9

example of successful chiefs of staff:

Answer 9

-Andrew Card - George W Bush’s chief of staff
-was the one who informed the president of the 9/11 attacks just as they had happened
-Denis McDonough - Obama (during his 2nd term)
-he had 12 years of experience on capitol hill - was a congressional staffer. this gave him a helpful insight into the workings and personnel of congress
-he made a priority of reaching out to republican senators

Question 10

example of an unsuccessful chief of staff:

Answer 10

-Reince Priebus - Trump
-was known as being in way over his head
-didn’t have sufficient knowledge on the workings of federal agencies or communications operations

Question 11

what are the three functions of the office of management and budget?

Answer 11

1. advise the president on the allocation of federal funds in the annual budget
2. oversee the spending of all federal departments and agencies - important because it ensures they are spending money on things that will fulfil the president’s agenda
3. scrutinise all proposed rule changes from any executive agencies

Question 12

who runs the OMB?

Answer 12

the office of management and budget
requires senate confirmation

Question 13

how many staff are in the OMB and what is their usual background?

Answer 13

-over 500
-almost all are career civil servants, therefore non-partisan

Question 14

who needs to approve the budget?

Answer 14

congress