Unit 5 - Executive Branch Flashcards
Popular Vote
The votes cast by citizens in a presidential election.
Elector
A person elected by the voters in a presidential election to be a member of the electoral college.
Electoral College
The group of electors that cast the official votes that elect the president and vice president.
Electoral Votes
The votes cast by the electoral college for president and vice president.
Presidential Succession
The order in which the office of the president is to be filled if it becomes vacant.
State of the Union Address
A yearly report by the president to Congress describing the nation’s condition and recommending programs and policies.
Foreign Policy
A country’s plan for dealing with other countries of the world.
Diplomacy
The art of dealing with foreign governments.
Treaties
Written agreements between nations.
Reprieve
A postponement in the carrying out of a prison sentence.
Pardon
An official act by the president or by a governor forgiving a person convicted of a crime and freeing that person from serving out his/her sentence.
Commutation
The act of making a convicted person’s sentence less severe.
Secretary
An official who leads an executive department in the federal government.
Attorney General
The chief legal officer of a nation or state.
Ambassadors
The highest-ranking officials representing a government in a foreign country.
Embassy
The official residence of an ambassador in a foreign country.
Consul
An official who works to promote US commercial interest in a foreign country.
Consulate
The office of a consul.
Passports
Formal documents that allow US citizens to travel abroad.
Visas
Documents that allow people from one country to visit another country.
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The group made up of the highest-ranking officials from the army, navy, and air force that advises the president on military affairs.
Department of Homeland Security
Executive department of the the federal government established after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 , to protect the US from future terrorist attacks.
How old must the president be?
35 years
President must be a __________ citizen.
Native-born
How long must the president have lived in the US?
14 years
How long is the president’s term?
4 years
How many terms can a president have?
2 terms
What qualifications must the Vice President meet?
Same as the president.
What are three responsibilities of the Vice President?
Leader of the Senate.
Represents the U.S. overseas.
Gathers support for presidential programs.
What are the three major roles of the president?
Legislative Leader
Commander in Chief
Foreign Policy Leader
Responsibilities of Legislative Leader:
Delivers state of union address.
Sends budget to Congress.
Vetoes or threatens to veto bills.
Responsibilities of Commander in Chief:
Send U.S. forces anywhere in the world.
(War Powers Resolution requires soldiers to be called back after thirty days.)
Responsibilities of Foreign Policy Leader:
Appoint diplomats.
Meets with leaders of representatives of other countries.
Makes treaties with other countries (must be ratified by 2/3 Senate)
Other major powers of President:
Appointing Supreme Court Justices.
Granting reprieves and pardons.
How is the number of electors per state determined?
Number of Senators + # of Representatives
How many total electors make up the electoral college?
538 electors
What is the “magic number” to win the electoral college?
270 votes
What happens if there is a tie or no majority in the electoral college?
The House of Representatives chooses the President.
The Senate chooses the Vice President.
How does the Legislative branch check the power of the Executive branch?
Congress can override the president’s veto with a 2/3 vote.
How does the Judicial branch check the power of the Executive branch?
The Judicial branch can declare acts of the President unconstitutional.
20th Amendment
Gives Congress the power to set the order or presidential succession if both the president and vice president die or leave office.
22nd Amendment
Set a two-term limit.
25th Amendment
Provides that if the president dies or resigns and is succeeded by the vice president, the new president will appoint a vice president.
Order of Presidential Succession:
- Vice President
- Speaker of the House
- President Pro Tempore
4-18. Members of the cabinet in the order that they were created.
The executive branch started with ___ branches, but now has ___.
5, 15
Main responsibilities of the Department of State
Advises the president and leads the nation in foreign policy issues.
Main responsibilities of the Department of Defense
Provides the military forces needed to deter war and protect the security of our country.
Main responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security
Prevents terrorism and enhances security.
Main responsibilities of the Treasury Department
Advising on domestic and international finances, enforces federal finance and tax laws.
Main responsibilities of the Department of Justice
Enforces federal laws, seeks just punishment for the guilty, and ensures the fair and impartial administration of justice.
Cabinet
The leaders of executive departments who also act as advisors to the president.
