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American Government > Unit 3 > Flashcards

Unit 3 Flashcards

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1
Q
  1. What is the most important duty of the president? (214)
A

To ensure that all the laws of the United States are “faithfully executed”

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2
Q
  1. What is the maximum time a president can serve? (214)
A

10 years

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3
Q
  1. If the presidency AND vice presidencies are vacant at the same time, who would become president? (217)
A

The Speaker of the House

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4
Q
  1. Who is the commander of the national armed forces? (213)
A

The president

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5
Q
  1. What is the name of the address given by the president to Congress each year? (214)
A

The State of the Union address

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6
Q
  1. Which Constitutional amendment deals with presidential succession? (217)
A

The Twenty-fifth Amendment established the order of succession to the president.

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7
Q
  1. Who is the person that presides over the Senate? (218)
A

The Vice President (although, if he/she is not there, it will be the president pro tempore)

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8
Q
  1. Who chooses presidential electors? (220)
A

Each state chooses its own presidential electors.

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9
Q
  1. Who elects the president and vice president in modern elections? (221)
A

The electoral college

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10
Q
  1. Who administers the oath of office to the president? (226)
A

The chief justice

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11
Q
  1. This system is also called the “winner-take-all” system. (223)
A

electoral college system

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12
Q
  1. What Constitutional amendment deals with separate ballots for the president and vice president? (221)
A

The Twelfth Amendment

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13
Q
  1. Who makes up the president’s “inner cabinet?” (232)
A

The “inner cabinet” is made up of the secretaries of state, defense, and treasury in addition to the attorney general

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14
Q
  1. Cabinet members need to be loyal to at least which three constituencies? (232)
A

Career officials in their own department, members of Congress, and special-interest groups

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15
Q
  1. The role and effectiveness of the Cabinet in policymaking depends on what figure? (232)
A

It seems like this would be the president

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16
Q
  1. This is the group chosen by the president for their expertise in selected areas. (228)
A

The Cabinet

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17
Q
  1. This is one of the first responsibilities of a president. (228)
A

To organize and staff the executive branch of government.

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18
Q
  1. What is the largest agency of the Executive Office of the President? (236)
A

This agency is the Office of Management and Budget

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19
Q
  1. What group advises the president on military and foreign policy? (237)
A

The National Security Council advises the president about American military and foreign policy.

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20
Q
  1. What is the role of the OMB? What are its purposes and significance? (236)
A

The OMB prepares the national budget that the president proposes to Congress each year. It helps the president with budgetary policy. It influences the budget and is significant because it has influence on many other areas of government.

21
Q
  1. What are examples of a president’s judicial powers? (246)
A

To appoint federal court judges, to pardon people convicted of federal crimes except in cases of impeachment, or to reduce a person’s jail sentence or fine

22
Q
  1. What is a mandate and what significance can this have for a president? (248)
A

A mandate is strong popular support and is one of the greatest sources of power for a president.

23
Q
  1. Which president is known for his “Fireside Chats?” (248)
A

Franklin D. Roosevelt

24
Q
  1. Public opinion over the Vietnam War prevented this president from seeking reelection. (250)
A

Lyndon Johnson

25
Q
  1. Mass media and ___ support the checks and balances that limit the power of the president. (250)
A

Public opinion

26
Q
  1. This is a Constitutional power of Congress that can limit presidential actions. (249)
A

The legislative veto? The Senate’s confirmation power, the power of the purse, and the power to impeach a president

27
Q
  1. Define ‘pardon.’ (254)
A

A pardon is a release from legal punishment

28
Q
  1. What is impoundment? (253)
A

Impoundment of funds means that the president puts aside, or refuses to spend, the money Congress has appropriated for a certain purpose.

29
Q
  1. What is a line-item veto? (255)
A

The line-item veto is the ability to veto selected items in a bill.

30
Q
  1. What is an executive agreement? (257)
A

Executive agreements are pacts between the president and the head of a foreign government.

31
Q

How can presidents make sure that they don’t lose touch with the American people? (262-264)

A

understanding the public, being a good communicator, having a good sense of timing, being open to new ideas, and being willing to compromise

32
Q
  1. What do the following departments do?

a. Department of the Treasury (277)

A

Manages the money

33
Q
  1. What do the following departments do?

b. Department of the Interior (277)

A

Protects public lands and natural resources throughout the nation and oversees relations with Native Americans

34
Q
  1. What do the following departments do?

c. Department of Health and Human Services (278)

A

Directs programs concerned with the health and social services needs of the American people

35
Q
  1. What do the following departments do?

d. Department of State (276)

A

Responsible for the overall foreign policy of the United States, protects the rights of United States citizens traveling in foreign countries

36
Q
  1. What are regulatory commissions? (281)
A

Regulatory commissions are independent of the three branches of government. They were created to make rules for large industries and businesses that affect the interests of the public. They may investigate a business for breaking one of the commission’s rules.

37
Q
  1. What does it mean to deregulate? (283)
A

Deregulating is reducing the powers of regulatory agencies (regulatory commissions).

38
Q
  1. What are government corporations? (280)
A

Government corporations are businesses that the federal government runs. They are much like private businesses and are more likely to take risks and create innovative solutions than other parts of the government (and they can also earn money). However, they are supported with money from congress instead of money from private investors.

39
Q
  1. What are some examples of independent agencies? (279)
A

NASA, American Battle Monuments Commission, General Services Administration, Central Intelligence Agency, Small Business Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, U.S. Postal Service

40
Q
  1. What is an embassy? (276)
A

An embassy is an office of an ambassador in a foreign country.

41
Q
  1. What was the spoils system? (285)
A

The practice of victorious politicians rewarding their followers with government jobs

42
Q
  1. What was the Hatch Act? (287)
A

The Hatch Act limits how involved federal employees can become in elections. It has been modified to be tighter when people who are on-the-job and looser when people are not.

43
Q
  1. What did the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 do? (286)
A

This law reorganized and reformed the civil service

44
Q
  1. What did the Pendleton Act do? (286)
A

The Pendleton Act created the federal civil service system. This is the principle and practice of government employment on the basis of open, competitive examinations and merit. The law set up the Civil Service Commission to run this.

45
Q

1.) What influences does Congress have over the bureaucracy? (296)

A

Legislation and the budget

46
Q

2.) What is an iron triangle? (297)

A

An iron triangle is a cooperation in which agencies, congressional committees, and client groups continually work together because they, together, have the resources to satisfy each other’s needs.

47
Q

3.) What is a whistleblower? (Look up online.)

A

A person who informs on a person or organization engaged in an illicit activity

48
Q

4.) NASA, the CIA, and the Peace Corps were created a result of what conflict? (294)

A

NASA, the CIA, and the Peace Corps were created as a result of the Cold War

American Government (4 decks)

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