Presidency

Question 1

Qualifications to be President

Answer 1

At least 35, natural born American citizen, and resident in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

Question 2

Qualifications to be Vice President

Answer 2

same as President since the Vice President is 1st in line of succession.

Question 3

22nd Amendment

Answer 3

Limits presidents to two 4-year terms or a total of 10 years if they became President through succession.

Question 4

Impeachment

Answer 4

Congressional process of removing a President.

Question 5

Congressional roles in impeachment.

Answer 5

House “impeaches” the President through simple majority. Senate puts the President on trial and requires 2/3 to remove him. Supreme Court Chief Justice presides over the “trial.”

Question 6

What prompted the 22nd Amendment?

Answer 6

F.D.R’s four successive election victories.

Question 7

How many Presidents have been impeached?

Answer 7

Three (Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump.)

Question 8

Watergate

Answer 8

Scandal in the 1970s involving a break-in at the Democratic National Headquarters at the Watergate hotel in Washington, D.C. The subsequent cover-up and threat of impeachment forced Nixon to resign.

Question 9

Executive Privilege

Answer 9

An implied presidential power that allows the president to refuse to disclose information regarding confidential conversations or national security to Congress or the judiciary.

Question 10

U.S. v. Nixon (1974)

Answer 10

Supreme Court ruling holding that no absolute constitutional executive privilege allows a president to refuse to comply with a court order to produce information needed in a criminal trial.

Question 11

Presidential Succession Act

Answer 11

1947 law that outlines the order of succession for the presidency.

Question 12

25th Amendment

Answer 12

1967 – in response to JFK’s assassination establishes the procedure for a vacancy in the vice presidency – president nominates someone who is then approved by simple majority of both houses of Congress. Also allows a majority of cabinet to declare president incapacitated or for the president to temporarily relinquish powers (such as for surgery.)

Question 13

Cabinet

Answer 13

Formal body of advisers who head the 15 executive departments – require Senate approval.

Question 14

Key powers of the president.

Answer 14

Nominate officials, make treaties, veto legislation, preside over the military as Commander in Chief, pardons.

Question 15

Downside of making treaties.

Answer 15

Requires Senate approval.

Question 16

Executive Agreement

Answer 16

Replaces a treaty with no Senate approval required but they are not binding.

Question 17

War Powers Act

Answer 17

Legislation that limits a presidents powers to introduce troops into conflict – must get Congressional approval within 6 months. Passed in response to deception by Johnson administration during Vietnam War.

Question 18

Pardon

Answer 18

Presidential power to release someone from penalties/punishment of any federal offense except impeachment. Pardons can be used even if someone hasn’t been charged with a crime. President Ford pardoned former President Nixon for any offenses he “may have” committed.

Question 19

Lincoln took several actions during the Civil War considered Constitutionally dubious. What was his justification?

Answer 19

The inherent powers granted by the Constitution include the duty to make sure the laws of the United States are faithfully executed. Lincoln reasoned that the survival of the country required his actions which meant he was faithfully enforcing the laws.

Question 20

bully pulpit

Answer 20

The power of a president (not in the Constitution) to gain public support for a policy by appealing directly to them via mass media.

Question 21

Office of Management and Budget

Answer 21

Office that prepares the president’s annual budge proposal. supplies economic forecasts, and conducts detailed analyses of proposed bills.

Question 22

Executive Order

Answer 22

Rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of law.

Question 23

Signing Statements

Answer 23

Written comments attached to a bill by a president that announce portions of a bill the president considers unconstitutional or has not intent on enforcing. Invites litigation in the courts.