FRQs on the Presidency
3. American politics has often been called an "invitation to struggle." Although in recent years the president has been thought to have an advantage in policy making, there are still constraints on the power of the president. (a) Describe the power of the president in each of the following roles. • Chief legislator • A chief bureaucrat or chief administrator (b) Explain how each of the following limits the president's influence in policy-making. • Civil service employees • The Supreme Court (c) Describe the influence of divided government on the policy-making process.
(a) Chief legislator -sets agenda; veto; makes the state of union address(in constitution) • Chief bureaucrat or chief administrator- make appointments; executive orders manage/ oversee the bureaucracy; (b)• Civil service employees - agency view; civil service protection; interest group capture of agencies; expertise • The Supreme Court -declares presidential actions unconstitutional (checks and balances); (c) Due to divided government, it is hard for the legislative brank and executive branch to work together because often time they parties are lead by opposites/ rep vs Democrat
5. The concept of "divided government" in the United States means that one political party can control the executive branch while the other controls the legislative branch. This poses a problem for the President in making appointments to federal offices. (a) Describe problems that divided government poses for the President in making federal appointments. (b) Identify and explain ways Presidents try to overcome the problems described in (a).
(a) Greater policy conflict, offices go unfilled, and it narrows the field of potential candidates. (b) Compromise on conflict (e.g. ideological compromise), making interim recess appointments, and selecting more minority nominees (i.e., diversification).
2. A number of factors enable Presidents to exert influence over Congress in the area of domestic policy. However, Presidents are also limited in their influence over domestic policymaking in Congress. (a) Describe two formal (enumerated) powers that enable the President to exert influence over domestic policy. (b) Choose two of the following. Define each term and explain how each limits the President's ability to influence domestic policymaking in Congress. -Mandatory spending -Party polarization -Lame-duck period.
(a) The State of the Union Address because he is able to address the people and Congress and speak about his plan for domestic policy. Legislative powers such as veto, pocket veto, and signing legislation because he then has some sort of influence over what happens with domestic policy. (b) Mandatory spending - Spending not controlled by annual budget decisions. Budgetary constraints make it difficult to apply policy goals. Lame-duck period - The period of time in which the President's term is coming to an end. The President's power is perceived as diminished and Congress is less responsive to the President.
4. Congress and the president both have a role in making foreign policy. Despite recent expansions in presidential power, there are still limits on presidential decision making in foreign policy. (a) Describe two enumerated powers Congress has in making foreign policy. (b) Describe two expressed powers the president has in making foreign policy. (c) Explain how executive agreements expand the president's ability to implement foreign policy. (d) Explain how one of the following can limit the president's ability to implement foreign policy. • Elections • Presidential approval ratings
(a) Two enumerated powers of Congress has in making foreign policy are declaring war and ratifying treaties. (b) Two enumerated powers the President has in making foreign policy are Commander in Chief (highest power in the military) and he makes treaties. (c) Executive agreements passed without Congress' approval, which makes it easier for the President to implement them into foreign policy. (d) Elections - The President has to run for re-election because he can be voted out of office in the first term. Elections can shift agenda.
1. The Constitution of the United Sates creates a government of separate institutions that share power rather than a government that delegates power exclusively to a single branch. Frequently, this means that the Presidents and Congress struggle with each other. (a) For each of the presidential powers below, explain one way that congressional decision making is affected by that power. -Veto power -Power to issue executive orders -Power as commander in chief (b) For each of the congressional powers below, explain one way that presidential decision making is affected by that power. -Legislative oversight power -Senate advice and consent power -Budgetary power
(a) Veto power - Prevents or discourages congressional action if the President makes a statement of clear opposition or threatens the veto. Power to issue executive orders - Congress avoids taking action on controversial issues. Power as commander in chief - Congress clarifies its role associated with the power to declare war. (b) Legislative oversight power - Presidents limit the number or extent of actions that might draw congressional observation. Senate advice and consent power - Presidents use executive agreements to avoid the need to have treaties ratified. Budgetary power - Presidents consider budget items or programs that are important to Congress.
