International issues- USA (powers of the president)

Question 1

What are the three branches in the USA that work together but also scrutinise one another?

Answer 1

The legislative branch
The executive branch
The judicial branch

Question 2

What is the legislative branch?

Answer 2

This is the body that makes all the decisions in the USA. All laws must be discussed and voted on by the Senate and the house of representatives which make up the legislature. ( which is similar to the house of commons and lords in the UK parliament)

Question 3

What is the executive branch?

Answer 3

This branch makes sure that all laws made by the legislative branch are carried out and implemented. Essentially, this means that the president and the heads of each government department make sure laws are adhered to.

Question 4

What is the judicial branch?

Answer 4

The main judiciary in the US is supreme court. This body scrutinises and checks all laws that are passed by the legislative and enforced by the executive to ensure they are ‘constitutional’.

Question 5

Why would a law banning all guns in the US be impossible?

Answer 5

Because the constitution clearly states that one of the rights of all US citizens is the right to ‘bear arms’ (own a weapon)

Question 6

Name the 7 powers of the president?

Answer 6

1. propose legislation
2. veto legislation
3. submit the budget
4. selecting ambassadors and supreme court judges
5. sending troops over seas
6. negotiate treaties
7. executive orders

Question 7

How does the president propose legislation?

Answer 7

The president is not in the legislative branch of the government but he can put forward ideas for a law. Each year, in the state of the union address, the president outlines to congress and the american people which laws he feels should be written and implemented.

Question 8

What is an example of the president proposing legislation?

Answer 8

President obama submitted the proposal for the patient protection and affordable care act in 2009 as his solution to the problem of millions of americans being without health insurance or a risk of illness or death as a result. Obama took a lot of interest in the law and is now commonly known as ‘obamacare’

Question 9

How can the president veto legislation?

Answer 9

The president has the power to veto any piece of legislation passed by the congress. As the final stage of the bill is the president signing it into law, the president refusing to sign the bill can stop the law being finalised.
The president will only do this if he feels that the law is not in interest of the American people.

Question 10

How many times did obama veto legislation when he was president?

Answer 10

Obama vetoed legislation 12 times, as of may the 2nd 2017, Trump has not yet vetoed any laws put his way.

Question 11

What was the last thing obama vetoed?

Answer 11

2040, justice against sponsors of terrorism act.

Question 12

How does the president submit the budget?

Answer 12

It is the presidents job to decide on how much spending will be carried out by the government each year. This involves setting out what funding each state department will be allocated.

Question 13

What is the presidents role of sending troops over seas?

Answer 13

It is the presidents job to ensure the safety and national security of the country. He is the highest military officer in the country and has the last say on actions during crisis situations.

Question 14

When is an example of obama sending troops over seas?

Answer 14

In 2011, Barack Obama ordered the bombing of Libyan government and military and administrative sites to help rebels in the country who were attempting to overthrow the long-time dictator of the country, Muammar Gaddafi.

Question 15

How dies the president negotiate treaties?

Answer 15

The president will negotiate agreements called treaties, with other countries which he believes will allow the countries who sign it to work better together. It is up to the president to get the best possible terms in each treaty he works on. Ultimately he thinks it is in americas interest to do so.

Question 16

When is an example of Obama negotiating treaties?

Answer 16

In april 2014, Barack Obama signed a military treaty with the phillippines that would give America more freedom to use military bases in that country.

Question 17

How does the president executive orders in the US?

Answer 17

The president can implement an order that is in line with already existing laws. This may be outlining small details on how a law could be implemented better or dealing with an emergency.

Question 18

Why do checks and balances need to be put in place?

Answer 18

To ensure there is no one branch of government that enjoys too much power, each can limit the power of others. Mostly this will involve congress or the supreme court limiting the powers of the president but there are examples of the president checking other branches.

Question 19

There are several checks and balances put in place to the presidents power, what is a check or balance done by the congress for the president proposing legislation?

Answer 19

While the president can propose the idea for a law, it must be a member of the congress which submits it to be discussed. The president cannot take the bill to the congress by himself. This means that if a member of congress cannot be found who supports the bill, and is not willing to take the bill further, it will not go any further. This helps prevent the president implementing poor laws which are not in the nations interest.

Question 20

There are several checks and balances put in place to the presidents power, what is a check or balance done by the supreme court for the president proposing legislation?

Answer 20

If a president proposes a law that some feel goes against the constitution they can challenge this and have it scutinised by the supreme court. The judges in the court will examine the law and then vote on it. If 5 or more of the 9 judges vote that it is indeed unconstitutional then the law will no be allowed to be implemented.

Question 21

What checks and balances are put on the president for vetoing legislation?

Answer 21

Congress can overturn a veto with a two-thirds majority in both the senate and the house of representatives.

Question 22

What checks and balances are put on the president for submitting the budget?

Answer 22

A majority vote (over 50%) in either house can stop the budget from passing. It can be stopped if either the senate or house of representatives feel the budget is not value for money or funding is being spent on the wrong priorities.

Question 23

How can the congress do checks and balances for the president sending troops over seas?

Answer 23

Congress must be consulted and vote upon an official declare of war. The president can urge congress to vote yes to war if that is what he wishes to happen but he must get a majority in both houses for fully military action to take place