The Executive Branch Flashcards

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1
Q

Two eras in the executive branch?

A

-Pre-watergate
-Post-watergate

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2
Q

Pre-watergate?

A

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

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3
Q

Post-watergate?

A

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

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4
Q

Making of the President: executes laws

A

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

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5
Q

Making of the President: electoral college

A

-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)

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6
Q

Making of the President: qualifications

A

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

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7
Q

Making of the President: term

A

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

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8
Q

Making of the President: salary and benefits

A

-$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

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9
Q

Making of the President: impeachment

A

-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

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10
Q

Making of the President: Presidential Succession Act of 1947

A

-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

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11
Q

Presidential Powers?

A

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

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12
Q

Appointment?

A

-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

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13
Q

The cabinet?

A

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

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14
Q

Power to convene congress?

A

-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)

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15
Q

Power to make treaties?

A

-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

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16
Q

Executive agreement?

A

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

17
Q

Veto power?

A

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

18
Q

Qualified negative?

A

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

19
Q

Line-item veto?

A

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

20
Q

Commander in chief?

A

-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

21
Q

Executive orders?

A

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

22
Q

War powers act of 1973?

A

-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

23
Q

Pardoning power?

A

-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

24
Q

Who established a foundation of presidential powers?

A

first 3 presidents: GW, J Adams, TJ

25
Q
A