American Government(straighterline) Module 7
Article II also states that the president should be at least thirty-five years old, have lived in the United States for fourteen years, and be a _______________________American. This means that people who immigrate to the United States and become naturalized citizens cannot hold the office of __________________. -This has rarely been an issue, but in some recent elections it has raised questions. For example, some of Senator John McCain's opponents during his 2008 bid for the White House claimed that because McCain had been born on a U.S. military base in the Panama Canal Zone, he could not run for the presidency. (Most legal scholars believed that he could.)
"natural-born" president
Chief Diplomat
-As chief diplomat, or head of state, the Constitution gives the president the power to make treaties with foreign nations, provided those treaties are approved by at least two-thirds of the Senate. -In addition, the Constitution grants the president authority to receive ambassadors and other diplomats from foreign countries. As noted previously, with the advice and consent of the Senate, the president has the authority to appoint ambassadors from the United States to foreign countries and to the United Nations.
The powers given to the president in Article II of the Constitution are varied and important.
-First, the president is the nation's chief executive, the leader of the nation's government. -It is the president's responsibility to enforce the laws passed by Congress and to manage the daily functioning of the federal government. -He or she is also the commander in chief of the armed forces and the nation's chief diplomat, directing military and foreign policy and representing the United States to foreign countries. -Finally, he has an important legislative role to play.
line-item veto
-allows a chief executive to veto certain parts of a bill while signing others into law. -Normally, when a bill reaches a chief executive, he or she either signs the entire bill into law or rejects the entire bill. -In the case of the president's rejection of proposed legislation, the bill is then returned to Congress, which may then attempt to pass the bill again by a two-thirds majority. -A line-item veto would allow the chief executive to reject only part of a bill. The U.S. Constitution does not provide for a line-item veto, so when the president vetoes a bill, he has to veto the entire bill.
Executive orders issued by the president _______________________ . Congress can check the power of an executive order by ___________________________. The Supreme Court may overturn them, especially if _________________________.
-have the force of the law -refusing to provide funding to enforce it -they allow the president to exercise power not given to him/her by the constitution
Besides the president, the executive branch includes the vice president, the __________________, and the various executive departments and agencies. It also includes the Executive Office of the President (EOP)
Cabinet
The term _______________ is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, but Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution discusses the principal officers of the executive departments and the heads of departments. These individuals have come to be known as the president's Cabinet, whose role is to _______________________ the president as needed regarding the duties and activities of each Cabinet member's respective office.
Cabinet advise
How are Cabinet members appointed? Cabinet members take office once they are appointed by the president. Cabinet members are appointed by a Congressional committee. Cabinet members are chosen by the president and approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the Senate. Cabinet members are chosen by the president and approved by a simple majority vote of the Senate.
Cabinet members are chosen by the president and approved by a simple majority vote of the Senate.
_____________________ also can exercise power over executive orders. -For example, Congress can refuse to provide the funds necessary to enforce an executive order. Congress also has the authority to pass laws that oppose executive orders and counter the president's power.
Congress
Presidents can be criticized if they use signing statements frequently or if they are believed to use them to circumvent ______________________. Critics argue this is a __________________________ issue and signing statements prevent Congress from exercising its authority to make laws. If the president believes that a law is unconstitutional, critics suggest that he or she should ______________it and return it to Congress. By refusing to veto the bill, the president denies Congress the opportunity to pass it over the president's wishes. This limits Congress's legislative ability.
Congress separation-of-powers veto
The president is ultimately elected by the __________________College, which is made up of electors from each state. The number of electors each state is allotted is dictated in Article II of the _______________: "Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress; but no Senator or Representative . . . shall be appointed an elector." There are a total of five hundred thirty-eight electoral votes cast (including three for the District of Columbia), and a candidate needs a simple _____________—two hundred seventy—to win. For most states, the candidate who wins a majority of votes in that state takes all of its electors. The only exceptions are the states of Maine and Nebraska, which split their electoral votes in proportion to the popular vote. The popular vote refers to the number of votes cast by eligible voters.
Electoral Constitution majority
Which of the following does the president do in his role as chief diplomat? (Select all that apply.) He attends international meetings. He meets with foreign diplomats and heads of state. He makes all laws related to U.S. foreign policy.
He attends international meetings. He meets with foreign diplomats and heads of state.
What are the main functions of the vice president? (Select all that apply.) He appoints federal judges. He replaces the president if the president dies or becomes incapacitated while in office. He presides over the Senate and casts the deciding vote in the case of a tie.
He replaces the president if the president dies or becomes incapacitated while in office. He presides over the Senate and casts the deciding vote in the case of a tie.
In the unlikely event that there is a tie in the Electoral College, the _____________________________ selects the president. Each state's delegation has one vote; the District of Columbia does not receive a vote. Voting continues in the House until one candidate receives a simple __________________ of the votes (twenty-six votes). The vice president is selected by the _________________. Each senator is allowed to vote; the candidate who receives fifty-one votes, a simple majority, becomes vice president.
House of Representatives majority Senate
How do electors vote when choosing the president? They vote for the candidate they personally prefer. The electors from each state decide among themselves whom to vote for and vote as a single group. In most cases, electors are pledged to vote for the candidate who won the majority of votes in their state. Electors vote for the candidate that won the primary election in their state.
In most cases, electors are pledged to vote for the candidate who won the majority of votes in their state.
The Constitution grants the president powers that he is expected to carry out as the nation's chief executive
It is the president's responsibility to enforce laws passed by Congress. As the enforcer of the nation's laws, he also has the power to grant pardons to those who have violated the law. With the advice and consent of the Senate, as chief executive, the president appoints ambassadors, Supreme Court justices and federal judges, and other officers of the United States. If vacancies in the Senate occur when the Senate is not in session, as chief executive, the Constitution gives the president authority to appoint individuals to fill those vacancies.
Which of the following is a reason that proponents argue for giving the president line-item veto authority? It would give the president more power. It would require Congress to take more care in drafting legislation. It would make the process of passing legislation more efficient. It would change the balance of the separation of powers between the president and Congress.
It would make the process of passing legislation more efficient.
___________________ vice presidents are much more active than previous ones. Often, they ___________________ the president on foreign visits, perform special policy projects, or act as legislative liaisons. Other duties completed by the vice president are determined by the responsibilities that the ____________________ assigns to him.
Modern represent president
Today's Cabinet includes a secretary of defense, the head of the Defense Department, which was the new name given to the War Department after World War II with the passage of the 1947 National Defense Act. Today, the branches of the military commanded by the ______________ of the United States are the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. In addition to these branches of the military, the nation's armed forces also include the National _________________, once known as the militia. Members of National Guard units are normally under the command of their respective governors but once called into military service, they are under the command of the president.
President Guard
Once the president selects the people he wants on his Cabinet, he must submit their names to the ________________, where they are confirmed or rejected by a simple majority. With the exception of the vice president, the Senate's __________________ of the president's appointments is required before they can be sworn in and assume their positions. However, with the exception of the vice president, the president can _______________ Cabinet members without the Senate's approval. When a new president takes office, he usually dismisses the former president's Cabinet and ____________________ his own. Once approved by the Senate, Cabinet members can serve in office ___________________________________________________________________
Senate approval dismiss chooses for as long as the president is willing to keep them on staff.
Executive orders are subject to the authority of the ____________________, and over the years, the Court has found a few executive orders to be ____________________________ In 1934, for example, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the executive order that Franklin Roosevelt had used to create the National Industrial Recovery Administration, an important part of the president's efforts to help the nation's recovery from the Great Depression. Likewise, in 1952, the Supreme Court overturned an executive order by Harry Truman nationalizing (placing under control of the federal government) the U.S. steel industry.
Supreme Court unconstitutional.
Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding the president's Cabinet? (Select all that apply.) The Cabinet members are the president's personal advisors. Cabinet members must be confirmed by the Senate. Early presidents did not have a Cabinet. The Constitution does not explicitly mention the term Cabinet.
The Cabinet members are the president's personal advisors. Cabinet members must be confirmed by the Senate. The Constitution does not explicitly mention the term Cabinet.
What is the first step in the impeachment process? The people of the United States are asked to vote on whether or not the president should be impeached. Legislatures in all of the states must vote on whether or not the president should be impeached. The House of Representatives votes to bring formal charges against the president. The Supreme Court investigates accusations against the president.
The House of Representatives votes to bring formal charges against the president.
__________ appoints people to make up the president's cabinet. The Senate Congress The President The vice president
The President
Which of the following BEST demonstrates how the President plays a part in the legislative process? The President vetoes a bill that he doesn't approve of. The President proposes a bill. The President does not like a bill Congress is trying to pass. The President announces he is against anti-immigration laws.
The President vetoes a bill that he doesn't approve of.
Which of the following statements regarding the president's cabinet is TRUE? All people serving on the cabinet have the title of secretary. The cabinet is chosen by Congress. The modern vice president is part of the cabinet. The cabinet is only made up of heads of executive branch departments.
The modern vice president is part of the cabinet.
Which of the following does the president do in his or her role as chief executive? (Select all that apply.) The president appoints federal judges. The president negotiates treaties. The president directs the operations of the executive branch of government. The president enforces the nation's laws.
The president appoints federal judges. The president directs the operations of the executive branch of government. The president enforces the nation's laws.
As commander in chief, the president does which of the following? (Select all that apply.) The president leads troops into battle. The president can make important military decisions, such as whether or not to bomb cities. The president can call states' National Guard units into service.
The president can make important military decisions, such as whether or not to bomb cities. The president can call states' National Guard units into service.
What does the president do in the role of commander in chief? The president allocates funds for the support of the armed forces. The president makes the decision to declare war. The president authorizes tax breaks for military officers. The president decides how the nation's military forces will be used.
The president decides how the nation's military forces will be used.
Which of the following is TRUE regarding the War Powers Resolution of 1973? The president seizes total control over all military forces and resources allotted to them. The president can have troops remain in the field for as many years as he/she sees fit without Congress's approval. The president has 48 hours to notify Congress of what he/she has done. The president can deploy troops with no restraints and no consequences.
The president has 48 hours to notify Congress of what he/she has done.
The president must inform Congress within __________________ hours if he or she has deployed troops without a declaration of war.
The president must inform Congress within forty-eight hours if he or she has deployed troops without a declaration of war.
What is the president's chief legislative function? The president debates legislation on the floor of Congress. The president sits on congressional committees. The president drafts legislation. The president signs bills into law or vetoes them.
The president signs bills into law or vetoes them.
Why does Congress usually defer to the president on foreign affairs? (Select all that apply.) The president has complete control over treaties that are negotiated with foreign countries. The president takes the lead on responding to foreign events. The president negotiates agreements with foreign countries. The president is the one who usually meets with other heads of state.
The president takes the lead on responding to foreign events. The president negotiates agreements with foreign countries. The president is the one who usually meets with other heads of state.
As chief executive, the president is responsible for the functioning of the entire executive branch
The president's Cabinet, which includes the heads of the executive departments that actually carry out the government's many programs, assists him or her in this work by sharing information and reports about the government's operations.
What effect can midterm elections have on a president's influence over Congress? The president's party can lose seats in Congress during midterm elections. The president may anger members of Congress by refusing to campaign for them. If a president vetoes a bill within six months of midterm elections and Congress fails to override it, Congress may tried to override these vetoes again once new members are in place. The president's loss in the midterm elections means that he or she soon will be replaced, so Congress no longer regards the president as powerful.
The president's party can lose seats in Congress during midterm elections.
Which of the following is TRUE about the powers of the vice president? The Constitution has explicit details on powers of the vice president. They are largely undefined in the Constitution. The vice president's only power is to take over if the president dies. Congress gives orders and tasks to the vice president.
They are largely undefined in the Constitution.
Why are the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary important to the presidential nomination process? They determine who will win the nominations for each party. They are not important. They are just two events in the primary season and are no more significant than the primary events that will later occur in the other forty-eight states. They ensure that the candidates will raise enough money to continue campaigning until the conventions. They call attention to the process and help set the stage for the remainder of the primary season.
They call attention to the process and help set the stage for the remainder of the primary season. -Since they are the first two election events in the primary season, they receive a great deal of media coverage, making the public more aware of the process.
What are signing statements used for? (Select all that apply.) They may criticize a piece of legislation. They may state that the president does not intend to enforce a law or explain how he or she plans to enforce it. They may praise a piece of legislation. They give instructions on how the legislation should be implemented.
They may criticize a piece of legislation. They may state that the president does not intend to enforce a law or explain how he or she plans to enforce it. They may praise a piece of legislation.
Following the ______________ War, Congress passed the War Powers Resolution of 1973. The Act allows the president to deploy troops without a ___________ declaration of war in the event of an attack on the United States, U.S. territories, or American military personnel. Within forty-eight hours, the president must, however, inform _________________ that he has deployed troops. The troops may remain in the field for sixty days __________________ a declaration of war by Congress. If Congress declines to declare war, the president is granted an additional ninety days to withdraw the troops.
Vietnam formal Congress without
Why do critics dislike presidential signing statements? Signing statements allow the president to express his feelings regarding legislation passed by Congress. Signing statements allow a president to veto a bill without sending it back to Congress for an override vote. When signing statements are used to explain that the president will not enforce a law, it takes away from the power of Congress to make legislation for the American people. Signing statements allow a president to appoint federal judges without the consent of the Senate.
When signing statements are used to explain that the president will not enforce a law, it takes away from the power of Congress to make legislation for the American people.
Why do presidents often have less influence over Congress at the end of their terms than at the beginning? (Select all that apply.) With the end of their term approaching, their political influence has waned. They have less authority as their term approaches its end. The honeymoon period has ended.
With the end of their term approaching, their political influence has waned. The honeymoon period has ended.
Can the president deploy combat troops without a declaration of war from Congress? No, a president can never deploy troops without the permission of Congress. Yes, a president can deploy combat troops if the United States, its territories, or its military personnel are attacked. Yes, the president can deploy combat troops when conflict seems possible and the president does not wish to seek a diplomatic solution. Yes, but he must withdraw them within forty-eight hours if this is what Congress votes for.
Yes, a president can deploy combat troops if the United States, its territories, or its military personnel are attacked. -Even if Congress declares war, it can later decide that the war is unnecessary. One way that Congress can control military operations is through funding. If Congress refuses to appropriate sufficient funds for a war, that war cannot continue.
What is a signing statement? a statement issued by the president to criticize a proposed piece of legislation a statement issued by the president explaining why he has vetoed a particular piece of legislation a statement issued by the president when he signs a bill into law a statement issued by Congress explaining why it believes that the president should sign a bill into law
a statement issued by the president when he signs a bill into law
A veto is often a collective decision made in consultation with various officials in the White House and members of the cabinet whose departments might be __________________ by a particular piece of legislation. -For example, in February 2011, Congress, after failing to pass a budget for fiscal year 2011 considered a continuing resolution that would temporarily fund the government until a final budget was passed. However, the continuing resolution would have appropriated less money to defense. With President Obama's consent, the Office of Management and Budget, on the advice of the Defense Department, issued a statement that President Obama would veto the continuing resolution if there were defense cuts that compromised national security.
affected
Which of the following activities happen during primaries? Delegates are selected to attend party conventions and nominate the president. The public becomes familiar with the candidates as the candidates debate each other and do other campaigning. Money is raised for campaigns. Which of the following activities happen during primaries? Delegates are selected to attend party conventions and nominate the president. The public becomes familiar with the candidates as the candidates debate each other and do other campaigning. Money is raised for campaigns. all of the above
all of the above
Which of the following are ways the power wielded by the president through executive orders is held in check? The Supreme Court has authority over executive orders. Congress can pass a law that counters the executive order. Congress can refuse to provide the funding needed to enforce an executive order. all of the above
all of the above
An executive order is ___________. an order to abolish slavery an order from the President that has the force of law an order that trumps Congress and the Supreme Court an order that gives the President total power over the country
an order from the President that has the force of law
What is an executive order? an order dismissing a member of the president's Cabinet an order given by the president to launch an attack against a foreign country an order given by the president to Congress to pass a particular law an order given by the president that has the force of law
an order given by the president that has the force of law
As chief diplomat, the President can do which of the following? wage war veto bills appoint ambassadors enforce laws
appoint ambassadors
The Constitution names the president the commander in chief of the ______________________- services
armed -This gives the president the power to preside over the military, making it the president's responsibility to authorize any use of force by the military. -The president also has the power to decide how the nation's military strength will be used. For example, although the president will not personally lead troops into battle, he or she makes important decisions, such as whether or not to bomb an enemy's cities.
Each state has __________. as many electors as it has members of Congress two electors the same number of electors a number of electors equal to the percentage of voters in the state that belong to the winning party; that is, if the Democrats win, and Democrats are 25 percent of the voters in the state, then that state has twenty-five electors.
as many electors as it has members of Congress
The EOP includes: The president's advisors and personal _____________________ _________________ writers The Office of ________________ and Budget, which helps the president and the heads of the executive departments and agencies put together the federal budget and department and agency budgets The ______________ Security Agency The Press _______________ The White House _____________ which is the president's lawyer The Office of ____________________
assistants Speech Management National Secretary counsel Communications
The formal _______________ to declare war is a matter of maintaining checks and balances. Only __________________ can declare war, and, traditionally, presidents must request formal declarations of war from Congress. -As an example, the day after the Japanese attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor in December 1941, President Roosevelt appeared before a joint session of Congress and requested a declaration.
authority Congress
Presidents dislike the War Powers Resolution because they believe that it interferes with their ____________________ as commander in chief. Richard Nixon originally vetoed the bill, but it was overridden by Congress and became law over the president's opposition. Historically, presidents have often committed troops without first _____________________congressional approval. -For example, in 1846, President James K. Polk invaded Mexico, beginning the Mexican American War without first obtaining a declaration of war from Congress. He sent a letter to Congress the day of the invasion explaining the need for war. Congress officially declared war three days later.
authority obtaining
For what reason may a president be impeached? (Select all that apply.) bribery treason when the president is overreaching his or her authority. when Congress is unhappy with the president
bribery treason when the president is overreaching his or her authority.
The primary season begins in Iowa with ________________, which are meetings of state party leaders to discuss the candidates for their party's nomination and select one candidate from each party who Iowa citizens prefer. -Iowa's caucuses are in lieu of primary elections.
caucuses
Congress has the authority to either support foreign policy actions taken by the president or seek to __________________ them
change -Generally, Congress supports the president. However, in the process of reviewing and approving the president's proposals, Congress often makes significant modifications to them.
Article II does not explain clearly what should be done if both the president and vice president are dead, incapacitated, or other unable to perform the function of ___________________executive. The article says only that another ____________________ will assume power. Section Three of the Twentieth Amendment gave Congress authority to establish rules for presidential _____________________________. After the Twentieth Amendment was ratified in 1933, Congress passed laws specifying that should both the president and the vice president be unable to exercise the duties of the presidency, the ________________ _______ _________ __________________ follows them in succession. If the Speaker of the House cannot assume these duties, then the president __________ __________ _____________ becomes president, followed by the secretary of state, and then each of the heads of executive departments in the order in which their departments were created.
chief "Officer" succession Speaker of the House of Representatives pro tempore of the Senate
The president attends international meetings on world trade as ______________________________.
chief diplomat.
The requirement that the president must authorize the use of force establishes the principle of ________________ control of the armed forces
civilian Civilian control helps promote the establishment of democracy by ensuring that a nation cannot be led by a military dictatorship
The president deploys troops as ______________________________
commander in chief
Authorizing any use of military force is part of which role of the President? commander-in-chief chief legislator chief diplomat chief executive
commander-in-chief
Ironically, one of the greatest factors affecting a president's ability to accomplish his or her goals is one over which there is no _______________—the twists and turns of fate. Unforeseen events may cause Congress and the American people to rally around the president, or they may present the president with problems that cannot be quickly or easily resolved and thus lay him or her open to charges of ________________. -For example, the assassination of the popular John F. Kennedy and the grief that followed resulted in his successor Lyndon Johnson receiving great support from Congress for many of his programs. -By 1968, however, serious problems with the war in Vietnam, a war that Johnson had not begun, had made Johnson so unpopular that he decided not to seek reelection.
control failure
The first part of the presidential election season ends during the summer of the election year with party nominating ________________________. Currently, only the two major __________________—Democratic and Republican—hold conventions that receive extensive publicity. Democratic conventions are attended by the Democratic __________________from each state, and Republican conventions are attended by the Republican _________________ from each state. Delegates are selected to conduct party business on __________________ of their state.
conventions parties delegates ,delegates behalf
The removal of a president requires a _______________________ effort. The House of Representatives first ___________ to impose articles of impeachment, which levels a formal accusation of wrongdoing. (In judicial terms, this is similar to an indictment.) If passed, the president is then ___________________ in the U.S. Senate with the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court presiding. -The House of Representatives selects "managers" to prosecute the president in a Senate trial, and in order for the president to be removed from office he must be convicted by two-thirds of the entire elected Senate. -If convicted, he is removed from office immediately and the vice president is sworn in. - The impeachment process is rarely used. In the nation's history, only two presidents—Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton—have been impeached, and both were acquitted by the Senate.
coordinated votes tried
To call the National Guard into service during a time of ____________ is to rely on civilian defense and to democratize the sense of sacrifice, a concept that still resonates today. As an example, when the United States went to war with Iraq in 1991, it amassed around 500,000 troops on Iraq's border. Most of these troops were taken from state National Guard units. Learn by Doing
crisis
Sometimes presidents use signing statements to _______________ new legislation or declare that they believe the bill that they have just signed into law is unconstitutional. Sometimes presidents have noted in signing statements that they do not intend to__________________certain provisions of the law or they will enforce them only to the extent that they believe the provisions are constitutional.
criticize enforce
Congress can still prevent the president from using military forces for extended periods of time by doing what? cutting funding Congress may relieve the President of his duties after 90 days and assume command Congress assumes the leadership role of military forces in times of war Congress has no power to act once troops are committed to action
cutting funding
As the dates for the primary elections get closer, the parties may hold ________________, allowing the candidates to gather and debate each other about political issues and their intentions if elected to the presidency. Each candidate may also give speeches, appear on television shows, and be featured in other media such as newspaper articles. The candidates may also have advertisements, both those they place themselves as well as advertisements placed on their behalf by supporters. The Constitution does not require candidates to _____________ for office, and there are no laws mandating campaign activities.
debates campaign
Critics maintain that the Electoral College system is not very ____________________. It rarely happens that a candidate who wins the popular vote loses the Electoral College, but it has occurred. -For example, in the presidential election of 1876, Samuel Tilden, a Democrat from New York, won the popular vote over Republican Rutherford B. Hayes from Ohio. -Then in 2000, Vice President Al Gore won the popular vote over Republican Texas Governor George W. Bush, but because Bush won the electoral college, following a dispute over votes in Florida, he became president.
democratic
The Twenty-Fifth Amendment further clarified the powers of the vice president in the event of a president's ____________________. Section 3 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment allows the president to _________________________ vacate the office if needed so long as he or she transmits a letter, "to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President." There have been three instances of the vice president temporarily _______________________ of the president. Article 4 allows the __________________________, with the support of the cabinet, may relieve the president of his or her duties in the event of a disability or is incapable of fulfilling them.
disability temporarily assuming the office vice president
Article II of the Constitution also explains what will happen in the event of the president's "Removal, Death, Resignation, or Inability" to carry out the ______________ of the chief executive. Should the president not be able to govern for any reason, the _________________ . ______________________ becomes president instead. It is important to note, however, that if the president is only temporarily incapacitated, during surgery, for example, the vice president assumes the position only until the president is able to ______________________ his or her duties.
duties vice president resume
The Constitution also provides for a vice president and his ____________________ to office. This office is perhaps the least defined, as the Framers were not sure what a vice president would __________. Benjamin Franklin once suggested that the vice president be referred to as "your superfluous excellency," meaning that the office served _________________________. The first vice president, John Adams, often quipped that his job entailed terminal boredom by saying, "most _________________ office that ever the invention of man contrived."
election do no useful purpose insignificant
Even if a president begins time in office with his or her party firmly in control of Congress, this can change two years later when midterm _____________________ are held. During midterm elections, new members of ____________ are chosen. At this time, it is not uncommon for the president's party in Congress to suffer __________________. This may be taken as a rejection of the president's previous two years of governing. -For example, President Bill Clinton, who was elected in 1992 with Democratic majorities, lost both houses of Congress in the 1994 midterm election. In the House of Representatives, the Democratic party, which was his party, lost fifty seats. These types of losses make it more difficult for a president to persuade Congress to do what he or she wishes.
elections Congress losses rejection
Each candidate's party goes to each state and signs up a slate of ____________________ who are then pledged to vote for that candidate. As an example, New York casts thirty-one electoral votes. In 2008, both John McCain's and Barack Obama's campaigns signed up slates of thirty-one electors each in the state. Because Obama won the popular vote in New York, his slate voted in the Electoral College and McCain's slate went home.
electors
Which of the following can affect a president's ability to influence Congress? (Select all that apply.) events over which the president has no control the president's age stage of the president's term in office degree of public support
events over which the president has no control stage of the president's term in office degree of public support
The Cabinet has _______________ over time. President George Washington's Cabinet included just __________ members: Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph. The Cabinet's role is largely __________________ by statutes and other formal guidelines. Washington created the standards for how the Cabinet members would interact with the presidency, establishing the Cabinet as the president's personal _____________________. Other presidents have built on this standard to more clearly define the Cabinet as the president's trusted advisors. A president may seek the counsel of his Cabinet and call for regular meetings. Often, a president uses the Cabinet to demonstrate that he is not acting _____________.
evolved four undefined advisors alone
The president attends cabinet meetings as chief _______________________
executive
A president may create an _____________ order that has the force of law. This authority is granted by Article II, Section III, of the Constitution, to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."
executive -This authority is granted by Article II, Section III, of the Constitution, to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed." -The president uses executive orders to manage the operations of the executive branch. -Executive orders, along with national security presidential directives and presidential memorandums, provide direction to the executive branch regarding its responsibilities. -Presidential proclamations are a president's formal declarations to those outside the executive branch such as the other branches of government, citizens of the United States, and foreign powers. However, only executive orders carry the force of law, and they remain in force until a president rescinds them.
A variety of ____________________ can influence the degree of support or opposition the president will receive from the nation's legislature. A president's ability to work with Congress is influenced most heavily by the makeup of ______________. -If the majority of both houses of Congress are of the same party as the president, it will be fairly easy for the president to receive support for his or her legislative goals. -If the president's party does not possess a clear majority in both houses or, worse, if the opposing party dominates one or both houses, the president may find it difficult if not impossible to have legislation passed that he or she favors.
factors Congress
Many U.S. presidents have wanted to have line item veto authority to reject portions of proposed legislation, primarily legislation that appropriates _________________ for various purposes. Attempts to give the nation's chief executive this authority date back to the _________________________ The most recent attempt was the Line Item Veto Act of 1996. Although the bill passed both houses of Congress and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton, the ______________ declared the act to be unconstitutional in 1998.
federal money nineteenth century. Supreme Court
Today, the Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of ________________________ executive departments—the secretaries of agriculture, commerce, defense, education, energy, health and human services, homeland security, housing and urban development, interior, labor, state, transportation, treasury, and veterans affairs, as well as the attorney general. Other ___________________ also have the status of Cabinet rank, including the White House Chief of Staff, United States Trade Representative, Council of Economic Advisers, and the heads of the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Management & Budget, United States Mission to the United Nations, and Small Business Administration.
fifteen positions
Conversely, presidents tend to be most successful in accomplishing their goals during their ___________ year in office. -The excitement of the recent election has not yet faded away, and Congress, always seeking the public's favor, may not oppose him immediately. -The president also has not yet had time to create many political enemies, another factor that weakens the influence of lame ducks.
first
Which of the following most accurately describes how long Cabinet members hold their positions? for as long as the president would like them to serve for life until the Senate votes them out of office until a new president is elected to office, when they must be replaced
for as long as the president would like them to serve
The candidates can continue campaigning until the day of the _________________ election, which is held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. A __________________ election is an election in which the president is chosen along with some members of Congress.
general general
In addition to stipulating some of the powers of the presidency, Article II sets forth _______________ for how and how often a new executive is elected and the requirements for holding the office -For example, it states that the president "shall hold office during the term of four years." Until the twentieth century, no limits on how often a president could be elected to office were imposed. -Franklin Roosevelt was elected four times, serving as president from March 1933 until his death in April 1945. After Roosevelt's death, the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution, establishing that no president can serve more than two full terms in office, was passed. This was done to prevent one person from dominating the presidency.
guidelines
Which of the following is a factor in a president's ability to gain influence over Congress? becoming a lame duck president engaging in an unpopular war being of the minority political party occupying Congress having high approval ratings from the public
having high approval ratings from the public
Most of the members of the Cabinet are -_________________________________________ . Members of the Cabinet, with a few exceptions, must -___________________________________________________________________
heads of executive departments have their appointments ratified by the senate
Many executive orders have had profound effects on the ____________ of the United States. For example, President Franklin Roosevelt issued an executive order that allowed the military to remove civilians living in military zones during World War II. This led to the confinement of over 100,000 people of Japanese descent in American internment camps. President Harry Truman desegregated the U.S. Armed Forces through the use of an executive order President Dwight Eisenhower used an executive order to enforce the Brown v. Board of Education ruling after Southern states refused to comply by desegregating schools.
history
The ____________________ process is the formal mechanism by which Congress can remove a president from office. -According to Article II of the Constitution, the president can be impeached (have formal charges brought against him or her) for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." -The standard of "high crimes and misdemeanors" is often understood to mean a constitutional crisis where Congress feels that the president is usurping his or her powers.
impeachment
Bully Pulpit
is a public office or leadership role that gives the leader a huge opportunity to speak out about the leader's perspective on any issue.
A line item veto __________. is a way for a chief executive to veto parts of a bill and sign other parts into law passes a law by the president ignoring it for 10 days cannot ever be overridden by Congress is only done by the president
is a way for a chief executive to veto parts of a bill and sign other parts into law
One reason against line item veto is __________. it would make passing laws easier and faster it would give the president the power to legislate it would cut out needless spending it takes away power from the states
it would give the president the power to legislate
The president's influence also often weakens once he or she becomes a __________________. A ____________________ president is one who has reached the end of his or her term of office and cannot run again for reelection. Because American presidents can serve for two terms, the president becomes a ___________________ at the end of the second term.
lame duck lame duck lame duck
The Constitution grants the president few powers specific to foreign policy and foreign affairs. But as the office of the president has evolved, modern presidents have managed to assume a _____________ role in foreign affairs. For example, recent presidents have routinely __________________ the United States overseas by meeting with foreign heads of state and attending meetings with world leaders to discuss matters of world trade, the environment, and international security.
larger represented
A signing statement is a written statement made by the president at the time that he signs a bill into______________. The statement is a _____________ on the bill. -Usually, signing statements say nothing more than that the new law is an important and necessary piece of legislation. -These types of signing statements are not controversial. Other types of signing statements are, however.
law comment
Allowing the president to choose which parts of bills should become laws and which should not effectively gives the president the right to ______________________________. This authority belongs to ____________________. Should the president have an objection to a bill, by vetoing it, he allows Congress to exercise its authority by attempting to pass the bill again. -Those who favor giving the president the line-item veto argue that it would make the legislative process more efficient; it would be much easier to make bills into laws. -They also argue that it would allow the president to cut out pork barrel spending (needless spending on projects intended to bring federal funds to a legislator's home state or voting district).
legislate Congress
The Constitution does not give the president a formal role in the ____________________- process. But by giving him veto power over bills passed by Congress, the Constitution gives him the authority to influence the legislative process.
legislative A public announcement that he will veto something is often sufficient to force Congress to present him with legislation that, at the very least, he doesn't find objectionable.
The president vetoes laws as _________________________.
legislator
Of the following requirements for the presidency which is a FALSE statement? must be male must be a natural-born citizen must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years must be at least 35 years old
must be male
The president _____________________ each of the individuals he wants to hold Cabinet positions. Cabinet members are usually chosen either from among senior members of the president's own party, often members of ________________, from those who hold important positions in state government, or from the business world. -For example, President Barack Obama's first secretary of state was Hillary Clinton, a senator from New York and former First Lady. His second secretary of state was Senator John Kerry, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. President Obama's secretary of education Arne Duncan had been head of Chicago's public school system and his secretary of commerce Penny Pritzker was a business executive
nominates Congress
A presidential primary is the preliminary election for voters from each political party to indicate which of the candidates vying for their party's ______________ should be selected. The official primary season, which includes primary elections in every state, begins in ________________ of the election year. However, candidates seeking their party's nomination for the presidency often begin their quest as early as __________years before a national election. They may declare their _______________ to run a year in advance of primary season. During this time they travel the country and meet ordinary voters, state party chairs, and potential donors.
nomination January two intentions
The Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary are important to the presidential _____________ process. Since they are the first election events in the primary season, they receive a great deal of _____________coverage, calling attention to all of the candidates and the election process. They help set the stage for the remainder of the primary season, making the public more aware of the process and giving successful _______________________ a boost in campaign activities, including donations.
nomination media candidates
The president has many responsibilities as the nation's chief executive. In this role, he or she enforces laws passed by Congress. The president may also ______________________. With the advice and consent of Congress, he or she also appoints ______________________.
pardon those who have violated the law Supreme Court Justices
At the conventions, delegates do things such as update their party's ________________, which is a statement of the party's values and the actions that party members are expected to perform to support these values. Conventions last for several days. During this time, party leaders make speeches and meet with other party leaders.
platform
The president can make foreign _______________ in several ways, including the following: Responding to foreign events Submitting proposals for legislation Negotiating international agreements Issuing policy statements Implementing policies Taking independent action
policy
Congress also has the authority to make foreign ____________ through: Resolutions and policy statements Legislative directives Legislative pressure Legislative restrictions or funding denials Congressional oversight
policy -When Congress takes any of these actions, the president and the executive branch have the option of supporting congressional policies or the EOP can seek to change them. This is accomplished by interpreting and carrying out legislative directives and restrictions in ways more favorable to the president and by deciding when and whether to adopt proposals and advice.
One of the biggest factors in the president's ability to influence Congress is his _________________ with the public. __________________ ratings tend to rise and fall throughout a president's terms. While presidents are in periods of high approval ratings, they are more likely to receive support for their policies from the public, and a desire to please their constituents may in turn lead members of Congress to support programs with which they personally disagree. At the same time, presidents may alter their plans or their support for measures proposed by Congress because of their desire to gain or retain public _______________________. In general, the president is most likely to receive the support of both Congress and the public on issues involving foreign policy and military actions.
popularity Approval support.
Those who oppose giving the president the line-item veto argue that doing so would give the president too much __________________. It also would damage the separation of powers as the president encroaches on _______________ authority. -In response to the claim that it would give the president undue power, proponents for the line-item veto maintain that the rejected items could be returned to Congress to be passed by a two-thirds majority vote, just like other rejected legislation
power legislative
Congress, which does not have the same access to national security information as does the _______________________, is more likely to defer to the president on issues of foreign policy than on other issues. Feelings of patriotism also lead to general support for presidential military decisions, at least when military action is first initiated.
president
In the early days of the republic the president and vice president ran against one another for ___________________. The Constitution originally provided that the vice president would be the one who came in ________________ place in the Electoral College. In 1804, with the ratification of the Twelfth Amendment, the Constitution was amended so that the president and vice president would be chosen together on a ___________________. The vice president's __________________functions are to preside over the Senate, (where he can cast a vote to break ties), and to be on hand in case of the death of the president or if the president is incapacitated for any other reason, such as being under anesthesia for the purpose of surgery. - Most vice presidents opt not to preside over the Senate and only appear when a tie-breaking vote is necessary.
president second single ticket constitutional
On the last day of each convention, each party selects a candidate who will be its party's nominee for _____________________. The nominees are usually the candidates who obtained the most delegates' votes. The nominee for each party then selects his or her _____________________ presidential running mate. The official campaign for president begins in _____________________ of the general election year. Usually, the campaign focuses on one candidate from the ____________________ party and one from the ___________________party. Other parties, such as the Reform Party, may sponsor presidential candidates, but these individuals rarely receive extensive publicity.
president. vice September Democratic, Republican
In March of a presidential election year, New Hampshire holds the first ____________________ election, offering eligible voters from each party the opportunity to cast a vote for the candidate they prefer to be selected as their party's nominee for president. Over the next few months, other states across the United States hold primaries, with voters in each state indicating the candidate they prefer for their party's presidential nominee.
primary
Which of the following is a FALSE statement about the President's use of a signing statement? comment on how the new law is important and needed comment on how parts of the bill seem unconstitutional note that the president does not wish for certain parts to be limited publicly veto the bill
publicly veto the bill
What could the president do if he or she had line-item veto authority? send the bill back to Congress with instructions to rewrite it rewrite certain line items of the bill so the bill reads the way he prefers put the bill before the American people, allowing them to vote on it reject only part of a bill rather than the entire bill if he finds part of it objectionable
reject only part of a bill rather than the entire bill if he finds part of it objectionable
Because the president's goals can easily be thwarted by Congress, the chief executive must have a good working ___________________ with its members.
relationship
Troops deployed by the president without a declaration of war are allowed to remain in the field for ____________ days before they must be withdrawn.
sixty
the Executive Office of the President (EOP), which manages the executive branch and its ____________________
staff
Fundraising for presidential campaigns is helped by ________________________-. Delegates from each state select candidates for president _________________ on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November when Congress meets for the first time during an election year at each party's nominating convention . At this time, the candidate ____________________________. Although not required by law, the candidate who receives the majority of the popular vote in November also usually receives the majority of votes in ____________________________
success in the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire primary at each party's nominating convention chooses a vice president the electoral college
The President is ultimately elected by _________. the public the Senate the Electoral College Congress
the Electoral College
Who makes the final decision regarding who is elected president? the Supreme Court state legislatures the voters the Electoral College
the Electoral College
Who chooses the president in the event of a tie in the Electoral College? the Senate the Supreme Court Congress the House of Representatives
the House of Representatives
If both the president and vice president are unable to perform the function of chief executive, who assumes office? the president of the Senate the Speaker of the House of Representatives the Secretary of Defense the Secretary of State
the Speaker of the House of Representatives
What is a line-item veto? the rejection by one of the houses of Congress of a bill passed by the other house a way of rejecting a proposed law by ignoring a bill for ten days after it has been passed by Congress the rejection by a chief executive of one part of a bill while signing the rest into law a veto that cannot be overridden by a two-thirds vote of Congress
the rejection by a chief executive of one part of a bill while signing the rest into law
In the event of death of a president, who takes office? the Secretary of Defense the Secretary of State the Speaker of the House of Representatives the vice president
the vice president
What happens if the president is temporarily incapacitated? the vice president begins the impeachment process of the incapacitated president the vice president calls for a special election the vice president assumes power permanently the vice president assumes power until the elected president can resume his/her duties
the vice president assumes power until the elected president can resume his/her duties
When presidents deploy troops without seeking the permission of Congress, on what authority are they relying? their authority as chief diplomat their authority as commander in chief their authority as the nation's chief executive their authority to participate in the law-making process
their authority as commander in chief
If Congress does not declare war within sixty days of troops being deployed by the president, he or she has ______________more days to withdraw the troops.
thirty
An executive order must meet __________ conditions before it takes effect: It must receive an opinion from the director of the Office and Management Budget as to its compliance with the federal budget. It must receive an opinion from the attorney general regarding its constitutionality and confirming that it does not conflict with existing law. If OMB and the attorney general approve the executive order, it must be entered into the Federal Registrar.
three
Why would a President use an executive order? to formally respond to congressional requests to formally direct members of the executive branch to formally respond to judicial interpretations with which he or she does not agree to informally direct the members of the executive branch
to formally direct members of the executive branch
What are the routine duties of the vice president? to handle the daily operations of the Executive Office of the President to generally do whatever the president assigns to him or her to vote for all Senate legislation, ensuring there is never a tie vote to preside over the Senate, managing its daily operations
to generally do whatever the president assigns to him or her The vice president has no routine duties assigned to him. His routine, daily work is determined by responsibilities that the president assigns to him.
What is the purpose of the president's Cabinet? to act as a liaison between the president and Congress to review the president's activities, ensuring that he does not abuse his power to provide the president with advice and information regarding the Cabinet members' respective offices to act as a liaison between the president and the American people
to provide the president with advice and information regarding the Cabinet members' respective offices
Until the passage of the ________________________Amendment, the president and vice president were elected separately. Once this amendment was passed, they were elected on a single ticket. The position of vice president ___________________________in the Constitution.
twelfth has limited explanation
At this point, knowing that the president only has a short time left, opponents, realizing that his or her ability to retaliate, by, for example, __________________ legislation they favor, has been weakened, may oppose the president even more vigorously. -Even members of the president's own party, seeking to distance themselves from his or her unpopular decisions in preparation for their own election campaigns, may openly challenge him or her.
vetoing
According to the War Powers Resolution of 1973, when must the president tell Congress that he has authorized the use of force without having sought a formal declaration of war? The president is under no requirement to inform Congress that he or she authorized the use of military force. within ninety days after having done so within sixty days after having done so within forty-eight hours after having done so
within forty-eight hours after having done so
The United States, however, sometimes enters into a state of war ___________________________ of Congress. For example, although Congress provided funding for the Korean War, the authorization for the war was provided by a United Nations _________________________, not a declaration by Congress. The Vietnam War was also fought without a declaration of war by Congress.
without the approval resolution,
