The Executive Branch

Question 1

Two eras in the executive branch?

Answer 1

-Pre-watergate
-Post-watergate

Question 2

Pre-watergate?

Answer 2

-Executive was the embodiment of the nation
-Symbol for all of America

Question 3

Post-watergate?

Answer 3

-After July 17, 1972, watergate break-ins
-Nixon resigned August 9, 1974
-America became suspicious of the President

Question 4

Making of the President: executes laws

Answer 4

-Carries out and enforces laws once passed by congress
-Elected official of the US gov
-Most important and prominent figure in the US gov

Question 5

Making of the President: electoral college

Answer 5

-A unique American institution made up of representatives from each state called electors
-Chosen by methods determined in each individual state
-Winner must receive majority
-1876: Samuel Tilden received more popular votes, but less electoral votes
-Grover Cleaveland lost re-election even though he received more popular votes
-1824: No majority, so House of Reps had to decide (JQ Adams v A Jackson)

Question 6

Making of the President: qualifications

Answer 6

-At least 35 years old
-Natural born US citizen
-Resident for at least 14 years
-Can be a man or a woman

Question 7

Making of the President: term

Answer 7

-Constitution set term at 4 years and unlimited for re-election
-1951: 22nd amendment limits to 2 four year terms; maximum of 10 years

Question 8

Making of the President: salary and benefits

Answer 8

-$400,000 a year/non-negotiable; fixed by congress, cannot be decreased or increased during service
-$50,000 a year for expenses related to official duties
-$120,000 a year for travel and entertainment expenses
-Pension for POTUS and spouse varies according to cost of living
-Free office space and mailing services; budget of $96,000 for office help
-Use of air force 1, helicopters, and limousines
-Residence in 132 room White House, which includes swimming pool, tennis courts, movie theater, bowling alley, and 80 person household staff
-Free medical and dental care

Question 9

Making of the President: impeachment

Answer 9

-Treason, bribery, high crimes, and misdemeanors
-House of Reps investigate
-Senate acts as court of law and tries the POTUS
-SC chief justice presides
-2/3 vote required to remove POTUS from office

Question 10

Making of the President: Presidential Succession Act of 1947

Answer 10

-Outlined order of who would be next in line if the POTUS died while in office: VPOTUS, Pres ProTempore, Sec of State, Sec of Treasury, Sec of Defense, Cabinet sec in order of their creation
-25th Amendment: If POTUS becomes incapacitated, VP will take over

Question 11

Presidential Powers?

Answer 11

Appointment
Power to convene congress
Power to make treaties
Veto Power
Commander in chief
Pardoning power

Question 12

Appointment?

Answer 12

-Help POTUS with enforcement of laws made in congress
-Gives the POTUS the power to appoint with the advice and consent of the senate
-ambassadors
-public ministers and counsels
-supreme court justices
-federal judges
-officers of the US
-the people the POTUS chooses often determine public policy and law
-over 3,000 appointment today
-the cabinet

Question 13

The cabinet?

Answer 13

-a formal body of presidential advisors, who head 15 departments within the American gov
-populated by advisors who aid in policy and lawmaking decisions

Question 14

Power to convene congress?

Answer 14

-Has authority to get together both houses of Congress in a state of emergency
-Must get together once a year (state of the union address): explain where the country is and where it is going with the chance to reach the public (economic stability, healthcare, education, foreign affairs, other important issues)

Question 15

Power to make treaties?

Answer 15

-Agreement between 2+ countries
-In order to make a treaty with another gov, POTUS must have approval of 2/3 of the senate
-executive agreement

Question 16

Executive agreement?

Answer 16

Informal power:
-method by which the POTUS bypasses the treaty process by entering into secret arrangements with foreign govs without senate approval
-unlike treaties, the are not building on subsequent administrations
-gives POTUS a lot of power in foreign relations

Question 17

Veto power?

Answer 17

-POTUS has the power to reject any piece of congressionally passed legislation
-qualified negative
-line-item veto

Question 18

Qualified negative?

Answer 18

-If a POTUS vetoes, congress can override with 2/3 vote of both houses
-Congress rarely able to do so
-Pocket veto

Question 19

Line-item veto?

Answer 19

Line Item Veto Act of 1996: allowed the POTUS to veto sections of appropriation bills only
Clinton v City of NY 1997: line item veto act and clinton’s veto were unconstitutional based on the principle of separation of powers

Question 20

Commander in chief?

Answer 20

-leader of the armed forces: army, navy, air force, marines, coast guard, national guard
-highest military leader of the country
-power to enforce all necessary laws and even override legislative power given to Congress in the Constitution
-executive orders
-war powers act of 1973

Question 21

Executive orders?

Answer 21

Informal power:
-allows the POTUS to manage the federal gov
-often leads to conflict with congressional agenda

Question 22

War powers act of 1973?

Answer 22

-restricts president’s ability to commit combat troops without their say so
-passed after nixon vetoed it
-limites POTUS’s authority to send soldiers into danger without congressional approval
-Ex: vietnam
-each POTUS since nixon has questioned its constitutionality

Question 23

Pardoning power?

Answer 23

-not frequently used
-executive grant releasing an individual from punishment or legal consequences of a crime before or after they are convicted
-ford pardoned nixon
-carter pardoned vietnam draft dodgers
-usually on the eve of leaving office

Question 24

Who established a foundation of presidential powers?

Answer 24

first 3 presidents: GW, J Adams, TJ