Government Chapter 11 Study Guide

True/False: The president can be impeached by the House.

TRUE

True/False: Presidential popularity with the American people is a political resource.

TRUE. An incumbent president popular in the polls is very hard to defeat for reelection.

True/False: Congress is constitutionally positioned to dominate the American government.

TRUE. But the president is better positioned to politically dominate the nation's public affairs.

True/False: Most policy initiatives originate in the White House.

TRUE. Most policy initiatives originate in the White House

True/False: Popular expectations of presidential leadership far exceed the office's constitutional powers.

TRUE. Our expectations frequently exceed reality.

President Pardons:

The Constitution gives the president the power to grant reprieves and pardons. This is an absolute power, not subject to congressional review or judicial action.

Which executive office agency gives the president good control of the budget process? a. CBO b. OMB c. Department of the Treasury d. Council of Economic Advisors

b. OMB

The American public expects the president to: a. Manage crises b. Provide policy leadership c. Manage the economy d. All of the above

d. All of the above

The presidential appointment of federal judges is part of the constitutional powers of the presidency, specifically: a. Chief administrator b. Chief legislator c. Chief diplomat d. Chief of state

d. Chief of state

Presidential Impoundments: the power of the president to withhold appropriated funds.

deferrals -- postpone spending, or rescission -- canceling the spending

Presidential Powers:

- Symbolic President - Managing Crises - Providing Policy Leadership - Managing the Economy - Managing the Government - Global President

Requirements to be president:

- at least 35 years old - natural born citizen who has been a resident in the U.S. for over 14 years

The Constitution gives Congress the upper hand:

1. Override of presidential veto by two-thirds majority in each chamber. 2. Impeach and remove the president. 3. Only Congress can appropriate money. 4. Major presidential appointments require Senate confirmation. 5. President must faithfully execute the laws.

Congress & President power

Congress constitutionally dominates the American government, but the president politically dominates the nation's public affairs.

True/False: Executive privilege is the power of the president to withhold appropriated funds.

FALSE. Impoundment is the power of the president to withhold appropriated funds.

True/False: The president's ability to appoint executive branch officials gives the president firm control of the bureaucracy.

FALSE. Political appointees can become career bureaucrats.

True/False: Presidents have rarely attempted to go beyond their constitutional powers.

FALSE. Presidents have frequently attempted to go beyond their constitutional powers.

True/False: The president can be sued in civil court for actions related to the official duties of office.

FALSE. The president cannot be sued in civil court for actions related to the official duties of office.

True/False: The president is constitutionally required to seek the advice of the cabinet.

FALSE. There is no mention of the cabinet in the Constitution.

Executive Agreements:

Made by the president with another head of state do not require Senate ratification. They are based on the president's constitutional power to execute the laws, command the armed forces, and determine foreign policy.

Veto Power

Pocket Veto: an indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session. Veto: a constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.

Executive Orders:

Presidents issue about 50 100 such orders every year. They usually direct specific federal agencies to pursue the president's wishes or desired course of action. These orders may be based on the president's constitutional powers or powers delegated to the president by laws passed by Congress

Impeachment:

The House of Representatives has the power to impeach the president, other executive officials and judicial personnel for reasons of treason, bribery or other high crimes or misdemeanors

Appointments:

The President can appoint only about 3,000 of the 2.8 million civilian employees of the federal government. These are top officials such as cabinet secretaries, agency heads, and White House staff. These people are selected because they share the president's policy views.

Foreign Policy:

The president has the power to make treaties (subject to Senate ratification), appoints U.S. diplomatic personnel (subject to Senate confirmation), and receives foreign ambassadors.

Executive Privilege:

Through the ages, the presidents have claimed the right to confidentiality to protect national security and sensitive discussions within the White House.

What is the term of office of the president? a. 4 years b. 8 years c. 6 years d. 2 Years

a. 4 years

The president receives a bill and Congress adjourns six days later. If the president does not sign the bill it: a. Is null and void b. Becomes law automatically c. Can be kept until Congress comes back d. Must be sent back to the Congress

a. Is null and void

Twenty-fifth Amendment

allows the vice president and a majority of the cabinet to notify congressional leaders in writing that the president is unable to discharge his powers and duties. The vice president becomes acting president.

Which of the following is not a full member of the National Security Council? a. Vice president b. Secretary of State c. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff d. President

c. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

The commander in chief role of the president includes all EXCEPT: a. War making powers b. Repel an attack on the U.S. c. Draft citizens to fight in a military conflict d. Repel an imminent threat of attack on the U.S.

c. Draft citizens to fight in a military conflict

Powers of the president do not include: a. Treaties b. Pocket Veto c. Line-item Veto d. Executive agreements

c. Line-item Veto

The president's power relies on: a. Political Influence b. Public popularity c. Media Access d. All of the above

c. Media Access

Which action seeks to cancel an appropriation? a. Impoundment b. Deferral c. Rescission d. Miscue

c. Rescission

Twenty-second Amendment (19510

formally limits the president to two terms.