Unit 4 Flashcards
Presidency and their role
The power of the cabinet:
The Cabinet consists of the heads of executive departments appointed by the President and serves to advise the President on matters relating to their respective departments. The power of the Cabinet lies in its ability to influence presidential decision-making and policy implementation within specific areas of government administration.
The constitutional powers of Congress and the President:
Congress, as outlined in Article I of the Constitution, holds powers such as legislating, taxing, spending, declaring war, and regulating commerce. The President, detailed in Article II, holds powers including vetoing legislation, serving as commander in chief, appointing officials, negotiating treaties (with Senate approval), and granting pardons.
Why presidents claim mandates
Presidents claim mandates to assert a popular endorsement of their policy agenda following a successful election. They argue that their victory signals public support for their proposed policies and initiatives, enhancing their ability to enact their agenda.
The most underrepresented groups in Congress:
Historically, underrepresented groups in Congress include women, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
The incumbency advantage
Incumbency advantage refers to the electoral advantage enjoyed by sitting members of Congress due to factors such as name recognition, access to campaign funds, constituent services, and gerrymandering.
Congressional leadership structure
Congress is led by the Speaker of the House (House of Representatives) and the Senate Majority Leader (Senate), who oversee legislative agendas and guide party strategy. Each chamber also has minority leaders and various committee chairs who play crucial roles in shaping legislation.
How casework affects members’ attention to legislation
Casework involves members of Congress assisting constituents with issues related to federal agencies or programs. Casework demands significant attention from members, potentially diverting their focus from legislative matters.
What influences the votes of congressmen/congresswomen
Congressional votes are influenced by various factors, including constituent preferences, party affiliation, ideological beliefs, interest group pressure, personal convictions, and the desire for reelection.
Each section of how a bill becomes a law
The process of a bill becoming law involves introduction, committee review, floor debate and voting in both chambers, conference committee reconciliation (if necessary), presidential approval, and potentially, overriding a veto by Congress.
Differences between how the House and Senate operate
The House operates with stricter rules, larger membership, shorter terms, and more centralized leadership, while the Senate allows for filibusters, has longer terms, and grants more individual power to its members.
How each branch of government can check and balance the other two
Each branch has specific constitutional powers that enable them to check and balance the others. For example, the President can veto legislation passed by Congress, Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority, the judiciary can declare laws unconstitutional, and Congress has the power to impeach and remove the President or federal judges.
What appointments the Senate confirms
The Senate confirms presidential appointments including federal judges, cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, and other high-ranking officials.
How gerrymandering affects Congressional elections
Gerrymandering, the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party, can result in distorted representation, reducing competitive elections and potentially disenfranchising certain groups of voters.
Checks and balances among the 3 branches
Checks and balances ensure that each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful. Examples include the President’s power to veto legislation, Congress’s power to impeach the President, and the judiciary’s power of judicial review.
Factors that contribute to the incumbency advantage and the consequences of incumbency
Factors such as name recognition, fundraising ability, and constituent services contribute to the incumbency advantage. Consequences include reduced electoral competition and potentially decreased responsiveness to constituent needs.
Details of the impeachment process
The impeachment process involves the House of Representatives bringing charges against a federal official, followed by a trial in the Senate where a two-thirds majority vote is required for conviction and removal from office.
Have executive orders expanded the president’s power beyond the framers’ intent
Executive orders, while not explicitly outlined in the Constitution, allow presidents to issue directives to federal agencies regarding the interpretation and enforcement of laws. Arguments exist regarding whether the use of executive orders has expanded presidential power beyond the framers’ original intent, with some asserting that they provide necessary flexibility in governance while others argue they can circumvent congressional authority.
How the president influences public opinion
Presidents influence public opinion through speeches, press conferences, media appearances, policy initiatives, and crisis management, leveraging their platform and visibility to shape public perceptions.
How the president controls the bureaucracy
The president controls the bureaucracy through appointments of agency heads, issuance of executive orders, budget proposals, and policy directives, influencing agency priorities and operations.
How the president exercises his power as commander in chief and the limitations on those powers
The president, as commander in chief, has authority over the military, including deployment of troops and strategic decisions. However, Congress holds the power to declare war and control military funding, serving as a check on the president’s authority.
Constitutional powers of the president
The Constitution grants the president powers including serving as commander in chief, making treaties (with Senate approval), appointing officials (with Senate confirmation), vetoing legislation, and pardoning individuals.
Who should have more power – Congress or the President
The allocation of power between Congress and the President is subject to debate and often depends on political ideology and context. Arguments for a stronger Congress emphasize its role as the representative body of the people, while arguments for a stronger President focus on executive leadership and agility in decision-making.
How Congress exercises oversight
Congress exercises oversight through various means, including committee hearings, investigations, budgetary controls, and confirmation hearings for presidential appointees, ensuring accountability and transparency in government operations.
Fed 10
Factions lead to violence
Having a big country would make it hard for factions to gain control
Fed 51
Separation of Powers
checks and balances
Brutus 1
Having a large Republic is bad
Fed 70
unitary executive
energy in the executive
