Unit 2B Test Flashcards
Requirements to be president:
- Natural born citizen
- At least 35 years old
- Resident of America for at least 14 years
What does being the Commander in Chief entail?
- Head of Army and Navy
- Head of National Guard
What does it mean to be the Commander in Chief
You have civilian power over the military
Presidential powers as Chief Executive of Government
- “Faithfully execute” the laws
- require opinions of heads of agencies
- grant pardons except in cases of impeachment
- nominate judges to federal courts and nominate cabinet (confirmed by senate)
- call for special session of congress
Presidential powers in foreign affiars
- appoint ambassadors
- make treaties (to be confirmed by senate)
- send troops anywhere in the world if Congress authorizes it or during national emergency (War Powers Act) The president has 48 hours to justify in writing to congress why troops were sent, and 60 days before he must withdraw troops (unless congress extends time)
Presidential legislative powers
- Give State of the Union address to Congress to push his agenda
- recommend and suggest bills for congress
- call special sessions of congress
- veto bill (can be overturned by 2/3 of congress) 5. pocket veto – not signing a bill within 10 days and having Congress adjourn
Who picks the cabinet?
The president
Who makes up the cabinet?
The heads of the 15 most important agencies, these agencies help execute the laws
What are 3 examples of departments included in the cabinet?
Department of Defense, Department of State, Department of Treasury
What does the Office of Management do?
Writes the budget, which must be confirmed by the president
What is the council of economic advisers
Part of executive office, helps advise the president on economic issues
What are the informal powers of the president?
- Executive orders
- Executive privilege
- Agenda setting
- Impoundment
What are executive orders?
Orders written by president or agency that have the weight of law
How can an executive order be undone?
- President can rescind it
- Next president can rescind it
- Supreme Court can rule it unconstitutional
What is executive privilge?
Right of president to keep certain documents private if pertaining to national security
In what case did the Supreme Court rule that executive power is not unlimited?
USA vs Nixon
What is agenda setting?
president sets out the legislation he wants passed (uses bully pupit)
What is impoundment?
Ability to refuse to spend money appropriated by congress (this was ruled unconstitutional)
What is the bureaucracy?
Administrative system that divides work into specific departments carried out by non-elected officials
Is the bureaucracy politically neutral?
Yes, it remains so through the Hatch Act, which bars bureaucrats from running for public office, making political speeches, or soliciting campaign funds from subordinates
True or False: The bureaucracy has shrunk over the past 100 years.
False, the bureaucracy has grown tremendously over the past 100 years, taking on more and more responsibilities
How many people does the bureaucracy currently employ?
About 4 million people (2.8 are civil servants, rest are military)