Quiz IV Flashcards
What makes the presidency different from other branches, as established by the Constitution?
1) primary executive power,
2) implied as major leadership power,
3) president the only person who can speak for ALL people,
What is the primary executive power of the president?
Carrying out and enforcing laws of the United States, in contrast to Congress and the Supreme Court’s deliberative power.
Why is the president the only person who can speak for all people?
Because congressman only represent singular states or districts–the president covers them all.
Why is the president so important?
Because he/she is a unifying force, representing everyone (not just a particular party). (S)he represents what Americans have in common, not just what divides us.
What is the executive power of the president?
Article II says it is an “investing office with federal power.”
Why is the description of executive power vague?
Because circumstances can always change so you need to introduce elasticity in order to accommodate a crisis.
What all does Article II say about the president’s executive power?
1) keeps it vague to accommodate change,
2) establishes Electoral College,
3) introduces minimum requirements.
What are the minimum requirements for the presidency?
Age: 35
Residency: 14 yrs
Citizenship: natural born
Is there a religious test for the presidency?
No, the government is neutral. However, it is likely to play a role in the campaign.
What are the specific formal powers granted to the president by the Constitution?
1) war power
2) distributing reprieves and pardons
3) negotiating treaties on behalf of the country
4) power to nominate executive officials and judiciary justices (with Senate approval)
5) veto power
What are the war powers?
Can’t declare war, but can send troops. The constitution isn’t explicit about war powers because that’s too much control for one person. Any direct threats are handled by the president, though, due to urgency.
What is a reprieve?
The delaying in punishment, often to gather additional information.
What is a pardon?
When a crime is forgiven at any time before or after the proceedings.
What is a plea bargain?
By cooperating to undermine an organization, you get less time you have to serve.
What is Veto Power?
It’s found in Article I, and it’s when the president overrides a bill passed by Congress (though the veto can also be overridden, but only if there is a 2/3 majority in BOTH chambers).
What is a pocket veto?
Right before Congress adjourns the president has 10 days to veto a bill before it is vetoed automatically. Counter-actively, if Congress is in session and the president waits 10 days, it automatically passes.
How has the presidency changed in the last two centuries?
1) chief legislator,
2) chief executive,
3) foreign policy leader,
and 4) economic manager
For most of the 19th century, Congress had its own agenda. What changed?
Woodrow Wilson changed that mentality in his State of the Union address in 1913. He believed in greater team-work between the branches, and proposed the “great society.” This was made a permanent feature by FDR’s “New Deal.”
What is the managerial function of the presidency?
More emphasis on carrying out policies than creating them.
How does the federal bureaucracy keep expanding?
War and strife expand the president’s authority. Like the development of Homeland Security after 9/11.
What two laws increased the president’s authority?
1) Budget Act of 1921
2) Reorganization Act of 1939
What is the Budget Act of 1921?
Prior to 1921, when the bureaucracy needed money they’d go straight to Capital Hill for a hearing–the president wasn’t involved. With this act, the Bureau of Budget (B.O.B.) was established in the Department of Treasury to build president’s budget rather than going to Congress.
What is the Reorganization Act of 1939?
Response to 25% decrease in employment during Great Depression. The Blue Ribbon Committee, led by Louis Brownlaw, recommended presidential bureaucracy, forming the Executive Office of the Presidency.
What is the Executive Office of the Presidency?
Put into place in 1939 and established presidential bureaucracy inside the federal one to assist the president.
What is included in the E.O.P.?
National Security Council
Office of US Trade
B.O.B. after relocation
What are the president’s powers as a foreign policy leader?
Constitutionally he can: 1) negotiate treaties, and 2) appoint ambassadors.
What are soft powers?
Diplomacy and economic sanctions (like what’s currently being done in Ukraine).
What are hard powers?
Actual deployment, or even just the threat of it. Also the establishment of the missile system.
What two events made the US a global force?
World Wars and the Cold War
What was the significance of the Cold War on the role of the presidency?
Congressional Delegation said that if quick action was necessary, the president wouldn’t need to go through Congress because that would take too much time.
What is the president’s role as economic manager?
All economic power is given to Congress, but he can propose policies.
What is the Full Employment Act of 1946?
Made the president of economic manager, and required the President’s Annual Economic Report to include:
1) How to increase unemployment?
2) How to increase economic growth?
3) What is the plan for price stability and reducing inflation?
What is the twenty-second Amendment?
Ratified in 1951, this amendment limits the president to two terms.
What is the twenty-fifth amendment?
Ratified in 1967, this amendment permits the vice president to become acting president if the vice president and the president’s cabinet determine that the president is disabled, and it outlines how a recuperated president can reclaim the job.
What is a cabinet?
A group of presidential advisers not mentioned in the Constitution, although every president has one. Today the cabinet is composed of 14 secretaries, the attorney general, and others designated by the president.
What is the National Security Council?
The committee that links the president’s foreign and military policy advisers. Its formal members are the president, vice president, secretary of state, and secretary of defense, and it is managed by the president’s national security assistant.
