Executive Branch quiz (GOV.)

• Commander in Chief


  Commander in chief of the nation's armed forces
• Chief of Party


  Leader of the political party that controls the executive branch
• Chief Citizen


  "The representative of all the people"
• Formal qualifications needed to be President

  • Be a "naturally born citizen of the United States"
  • Be at least 35 years of age
  • "Have been 14 years a resident within the United States"
• Top three positions to succeed the president if necessary

  • Vice President
  • Speaker of the House
  • President Pro Tempore of the Senate
• Electoral College


  The group of people (electors) chosen from each State and the District of Colombia to formally select the President and Vice President
• Why the Electoral College was created by the Constitutional framers

  • It was an alternative to electing the President by popular vote or by Congress
• How the number of electoral votes is determined for each state

  1. The state electoral votes = members in Congress

  2. This is the same case for each state except Maine and Nebraska, it is a winner-takes-all system (preference vote who automatically won the support of all delegates chosen at the primary)
• Flaws in the Electoral College

  • Winner of the popular vote might not win presidency, due in large part to winner takes all method
  • Nothing in the constitution requires the electors to vote for candidate favored by the popular vote in the states, Electors have "broken their pledges" 90 times
  • It is possible that the contest will be decided in the house
• Proposed reforms to the Electoral College


  • District Plan
  • Proportional Plan
  • Direct Popular Election
  • National Bonus Plan
• Ordinance power


  Arises from two sources: the constitution and acts of Congress
• How the appointment power works

  1. With senator majority consent, the President names most of the top-ranking officers of the Federal government

  2. Whose consent is needed for appointment: Ambassadors and other diplomats, Cabinet members and their top aides, The heads of independent agencies such as the EPA & NASA, All federal judges, U.S. marshals, and attorneys, All officers in the armed forces
• Removal power


  Generally the President may only move those whom the president may appoint. Most often a dismissal is called a "resignation"
• Arguments for and against requiring Senate approval for removal

  • For requiring senate approval: Senate consent should be required for removal
  • Against senate approval: The President cannot "take care that the laws be faithfully executed" without having a free hand to dismiss those who are incompetent or otherwise undesirable
• Congressional Joint Resolution


  Congress authorizes the President to use military force
• Power to make treaties

  • Formal agreement between two or more sovereign states
  • The president negotiates and the senate approves it
  • Treaties has same legal standing and as acts of Congress
• Executive agreements


  • A pact between the President and the head of a foreign state
  • These do not require senate approval
• Power of Recognition

  The President acknowledges the legal existence of another state
• How President Bush made an undeclared war in Iraq


  President Bush has the power to declare and undeclare war military operations. Congress can check this power through the war powers resolution
• War Powers Resolution


  Created in 1973 in response to the Vietnam War, to limit the President's authority to wage war, while reasserting Congress authority over foreign powers
• Requirements of the War Powers Resolution

  • Within 48 hours after committing American forces to combat abroad, the President must report to Congress, detailing the circumstances and the scope of his actions
  • Combat commitment must end within 60 days, unless Congress agrees to a longer period. That 60-day deadline may be extended for up to 30 days, however, to allow for the safe withdrawal of the American forces involved
  • Congress may end the combat commitment at any time, by passing a concurrent resolution to that effect
• State of the Union address

  A annual message sent by the president to have a joint session of Congress of the United States near the beginning of most calendar years
• Pardon


  The legal forgiveness of a crime
• Reprieve


  The postponement of the execution of a sentence
• Why the presidential veto is so formidable

  • It gives the President the power to reject any legislation passed by Congress, effectively blocking laws from being enacted
• Executive departments today


  • 15 executive departments
• Cabinet


  Informal advisory board brought together by the President to serve their needs
• Two major jobs of cabinet members

  • The administrative head of one of the executive departments
  • Advisors to the President
• District plan


  gives each district one vote and two for the states popular vote
• Proportional plan


  Give each candidate a percentage of the EC vote based on the state's popular vote
• Chief Legislator 


  Proposes laws to congress
• Reprieve


  it is the postponement of the execution of a sentence
• budget (expensive) of dept.

  dept. of Health and Human services
• Newest dept.


  dept. of Homeland security
• Treaty


  a formal agreement between two or more soverign states that must be approved by the senate
• Executive order 


  a directive or regulation that effects law
• Chief administrator


  heads the federal bureeauracy
• Chief Executive 


  sees that the nation laws are carried out
• chief diplomat 


  determines foreign policy
• Duties given to the Vice president by the constitution

  Pride over the senate Help decide the question of disability