AP Government- Chapter 5
In The Federalist 70, Alexander Hamilton states that "energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government." In this statement, Hamilton is arguing in favor of the need for A a single executive who can respond quickly to crises B a president who has a good understanding of public policy C an electoral college in the selection of the president D a president who is youthful and assertive
A a single executive who can respond quickly to crises
Which of the following trends is best supported by the information in the table? A The number of treaties has increased over time. B The number of treaties has decreased over time. C The number of executive agreements has increased over time. D The number of executive agreements has decreased over time.
C The number of executive agreements has increased over time.
Which of the following situations is an example of the president using the bully pulpit as a tool for agenda setting? A President Clinton invoking executive privilege in resisting a subpoena by the United States Senate during the Whitewater investigation B President Bush issuing a signing statement in the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 that considerably weakened its provisions C President Obama issuing an executive order delaying the deportation of at least five million undocumented immigrants D President Reagan delivering a televised address urging a reduction in federal taxes
D President Reagan delivering a televised address urging a reduction in federal taxes
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of checks on the legislative branch and checks on the executive branch? A Check on Legislative Branch:The president may veto bills passed by Congress. Check on Executive Branch: The Senate must confirm judicial nominees. B Check on Legislative Branch: The president has the power to fund wars. Check on Executive Branch: The House of Representatives can pass articles of impeachment. C Check on Legislative Branch: The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review. Check on Executive Branch: Congress can remove members of the president's cabinet. D Check on Legislative Branch: States may nullify federal laws that violate state constitutions. Check on Executive Branch: The Supreme Court can declare presidential actions unconstitutional if a case arises.
A Check on Legislative Branch:The president may veto bills passed by Congress. Check on Executive Branch: The Senate must confirm judicial nominees.
In the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and the Watergate affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary Presidency. . . . The imperial Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of doctrines and emotions—belief in the permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at the expense of the constitutional order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the nest. And, as it overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Based on the passage above, which of the following constitutional provisions would the author most likely identify as a solution to the problem of the imperial presidency? A Congress exercising the power to regulate commerce B Congress insisting that it declare war prior to the use of international force C The president making stronger use of bureaucratic discretion D Congress creating term limits for all members of government
A Congress exercising the power to regulate commerce
On July 9, 2018, after the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, President Trump, a Republican, nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Many Democrats in the Senate feared that the appointment of Kavanaugh would swing the Court in a more ideologically conservative direction and attempted to block his nomination. After a heated Senate confirmation hearing, Kavanaugh was eventually confirmed by a 50-48 vote in the Senate. The scenario best highlights which of the following statements about court appointees? A Life tenure for appointed justices alongside the power of judicial review increases the stakes in the confirmation process for nominees to the Supreme Court. B Judicial appointees tend to make controversial statements on important policy issues during their confirmation hearings to get confirmed. C The merit system for hiring members of the bureaucracy extends to the vetting process for nominations to the Supreme Court. D Presidents usually request that the Senate be slow and deliberate with judicial appointments to check the power of the judicial branch.
A Life tenure for appointed justices alongside the power of judicial review increases the stakes in the confirmation process for nominees to the Supreme Court.
In the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and the Watergate affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary Presidency. . . . The imperial Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of doctrines and emotions—belief in the permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at the expense of the constitutional order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the nest. And, as it overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Which of the following statements is a correct implication of the author's argument? A The modern president has abused the power of the executive branch through the use of the bully pulpit. B Federal courts play a substantial role in the American political system, but they have been unable to check the executive. C The perception of multiple crises has led to the growth of an executive branch that is undermining the separation of powers in the government. D The Constitution has failed to protect the separation of powers by giving the executive branch and the president too much power.
A The modern president has abused the power of the executive branch through the use of the bully pulpit.
Which of the following best explains a reason that a president might use a signing statement to express displeasure with a bill as opposed to issuing a veto? A The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk Congress overriding a veto. B Congress has severely curtailed the power of the president to withhold funds for bills that have been adopted. C The Supreme Court is hesitant to acknowledge the president's power to veto legislation. D The president wants to ensure executive agencies do not spend the money appropriated by Congress.
A The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk Congress overriding a veto.
Which of the following represents a reason that a president might use a signing statement to express displeasure with a bill as opposed to issuing a veto? A The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk Congress overriding a veto. B Congress has severely curtailed the power of the president to withhold funds for bills that have been adopted. C The Supreme Court is hesitant to acknowledge the president's power to veto legislation. D The president wants to ensure executive agencies do not spend the money appropriated by Congress.
A The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk Congress overriding a veto.
Which statement best explains the information in the graphic? A The secretary was confirmed by a party-line vote. B Confirmation was blocked by one party. C Independents swayed the vote for the majority. D Attempts at compromise were unsuccessful.
A The secretary was confirmed by a party-line vote.
Which of the following is an action a president can take to rally public support for the administration's legislative agenda? A Use the State of the Union Address to pressure Congress to pass a bill lowering income taxes. B Hold private meetings with key members of Congress to promote a compromise on the budget. C Forge an executive agreement with another country regulating the safety of consumer products. D Sign a bill into law that would provide increased aid to college students.
A Use the State of the Union Address to pressure Congress to pass a bill lowering income taxes.
In the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and the Watergate affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary Presidency. . . . The imperial Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of doctrines and emotions—belief in the permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at the expense of the constitutional order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the nest. And, as it overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the text by Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 ? A While Schlesinger views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, The Federalist 70 views it as vital to the presidency's effectiveness. B While The Federalist 70 views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, Schlesinger views it as vital to the presidency's effectiveness. C Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 view centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous. D Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 view centralization of power in the presidency as vital to the presidency's effectiveness.
A While Schlesinger views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, The Federalist 70 views it as vital to the presidency's effectiveness.
Which of the following scenarios illustrates how social media has changed the way presidents relate to the public? A A president appearing on a late-night comedy talk show to make jokes about the news B A president announcing a major policy initiative via the Internet rather than calling a press conference C A president allowing film crews to cover a visit to a natural disaster area to highlight federal aid distribution D A president hosting a rally in a swing state to increase support for policies helping the working class
B A president announcing a major policy initiative via the Internet rather than calling a press conference
Which of the following correctly identifies an implication of the line graph? A Presidents are far more likely to make changes to the bureaucracy at the end of a second term than at the beginning of a first term. B Congress is more likely to act on a president's policy proposal at the beginning of a first term than at the end of a second term. C The Supreme Court is more likely to rule on an important case at the beginning of a first term than at the end of a second term. D Presidents are more likely to send troops into conflict at the end of a second term than at the beginning of a first term.
B Congress is more likely to act on a president's policy proposal at the beginning of a first term than at the end of a second term.
Which of the following statements reflects a pattern in the line graph? A Nixon had the highest approval ratings of any president in the graph. B Most presidents exit office with lower approval ratings than when they entered office. C Most presidents begin their term with approval ratings lower than 50%. D Eisenhower had the lowest approval ratings of any president in the graph.
B Most presidents exit office with lower approval ratings than when they entered office.
In many places, classrooms are overcrowded and curricula are outdated. Most of our qualified teachers are underpaid, and many of our paid teachers are unqualified. So we must give every child a place to sit and a teacher to learn from. Poverty must not be a bar to learning, and learning must offer an escape from poverty. But more classrooms and more teachers are not enough. We must seek an educational system which grows in excellence as it grows in size. This means better training for our teachers. It means preparing youth to enjoy their hours of leisure as well as their hours of labor. It means exploring new techniques of teaching, to find new ways to stimulate the love of learning and the capacity for creation. . . . . . . While our Government has many programs directed at those issues, I do not pretend that we have the full answer to those problems. But I do promise this: We are going to assemble the best thought and the broadest knowledge from all over the world to find those answers for America. I intend to establish working groups to prepare a series of White House conferences and meetings . . . on the quality of education, and on other emerging challenges. And from these meetings and from this inspiration and from these studies we will begin to set our course toward the Great Society. The solution to these problems does not rest on a massive program in Washington, nor can it rely solely on the strained resources of local authority. They require us to create new concepts of cooperation, a creative federalism, between the National Capital and the leaders of local communities. President Lyndon B. Johnson, May 22, 1964 Which of the following explains President Johnson's motivation for the speech in relation to his role as the head of the executive branch? A President Johnson believes that Congress will soon pass a bill on education reform, and he would like to be able to claim credit for it. B President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education. C President Johnson is expecting the Supreme Court to soon rule on the constitutionality of a law passed by the previous administration. D President Johnson is issuing an executive order calling on local governments to increase training for teachers and address poverty among students.
B President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education.
Refer to the passage for the following question. In many places, classrooms are overcrowded and curricula are outdated. Most of our qualified teachers are underpaid, and many of our paid teachers are unqualified. So we must give every child a place to sit and a teacher to learn from. Poverty must not be a bar to learning, and learning must offer an escape from poverty. But more classrooms and more teachers are not enough. We must seek an educational system which grows in excellence as it grows in size. This means better training for our teachers. It means preparing youth to enjoy their hours of leisure as well as their hours of labor. It means exploring new techniques of teaching, to find new ways to stimulate the love of learning and the capacity for creation.... . . . While our Government has many programs directed at those issues, I do not pretend that we have the full answer to those problems. But I do promise this: We are going to assemble the best thought and the broadest knowledge from all over the world to find those answers for America. I intend to establish working groups to prepare a series of White House conferences and meetings... on the quality of education, and on other emerging challenges. And from these meetings and from this inspiration and from these studies we will begin to set our course toward the Great Society. The solution to these problems does not rest on a massive program in Washington, nor can it rely solely on the strained resources of local authority. They require us to create new concepts of cooperation, a creative federalism, between the National Capital and the leaders of local communities. President Lyndon B. Johnson, May 22, 1964 Which of the following explains President Johnson's motivation for the speech in relation to his role as the head of the executive branch? A President Johnson believes that Congress will soon pass a bill on education reform, and he would like to be able to claim credit for it. B President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education. C President Johnson is expecting the Supreme Court to soon rule on the constitutionality of a law passed by the previous administration. D President Johnson is issuing an executive order calling on local governments to increase training for teachers and address poverty among students.
B President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education.
A newly elected president faces a Senate controlled by the opposition party. Which of the following presidential appointments is the most likely to encounter difficulty with confirmation by the Senate? A Secretary of defense B Supreme Court justice C Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors D Ambassador to Germany
B Supreme Court justice
The data in the table illustrate which of the following about United States constitutional government? A Presidential foreign policy can be checked through the legislative power of Congress. B The president can declare war, but Congress can vote to block funding for wars. C Cloture procedures make it increasingly difficult to filibuster bills in the Senate. D Gerrymandering has intensified partisan divisions in Congress.
B The president can declare war, but Congress can vote to block funding for wars.
Which of the following statements is most accurately supported by the data in the table? A President Clinton greatly reduced the use of presidential signing statements compared with his predecessors. B While President George W. Bush issued fewer signing statements than President Clinton, his included more objections than President Clinton's. C President Clinton's brief access to the power of the line-item veto allowed him to issue fewer signing statements that raised concerns about legislation. D President George W. Bush was forced to issue more signing statements as a direct result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
B While President George W. Bush issued fewer signing statements than President Clinton, his included more objections than President Clinton's.
In 2012, after negotiations on a bill in Congress failed, President Obama issued an executive order that protected from deportation individuals illegally brought to the United States as children by their parents. The president took this action because A the executive order would require Congress to bring a bill regarding illegal immigration to the floor for a vote B disagreement between congressional leaders and the president on the issue meant that a compromise on a bill was not likely C the president was reacting to a Supreme Court decision that required him to do something to protect these individuals D the Constitution clearly gives the president control over the legal status of immigrants in the United States
B disagreement between congressional leaders and the president on the issue meant that a compromise on a bill was not likely
Which of the following is a correct comparison of formal and informal powers of the president? A Formal Power: Delivering the State of the Union to Congress Informal Power: Issuing a pardon to a person convicted of a federal crime B Formal Power: Negotiating treaties with leaders of other nations Informal Power: Appointing ambassadors and receiving diplomats from other nations C Formal Power: Using the veto to block legislation Informal Power: Issuing executive orders to bureaucratic agencies without having to gain approval from Congress D Formal Power: Using executive privilege to withhold information from Congress Informal Power: Using signing statements to interpret various provisions of legislation
C Formal Power: Using the veto to block legislation Informal Power: Issuing executive orders to bureaucratic agencies without having to gain approval from Congress
Which of the following accurately compares the formal and informal powers of the president? A Formal Power: Vetoing legislation to prevent a bill from becoming law Informal Power: Using a pocket veto to prevent a bill from becoming law B Formal Power: Using the bully pulpit to influence public opinion Informal Power: Appointing ambassadors and receiving diplomats from other nations C Formal Power: Acting as commander in chief of the military Informal Power: Signing executive agreements with foreign nations D Formal Power: Using the power of the purse to support government programs Informal Power: Using signing statements to shape legislation
C Formal Power: Acting as commander in chief of the military Informal Power: Signing executive agreements with foreign nations
Which of the following accurately compares the formal and informal powers of the president? A Formal Power: Vetoing legislation to prevent a bill from becoming law Informal Power: Using a pocket veto to prevent a bill from becoming law B Formal Power: Using the bully pulpit to influence public opinion Informal Power: Appointing ambassadors and receiving diplomats from other nations C Formal Power: Acting as commander in chief of the military Informal Power: Signing executive agreements with foreign nations D Formal Power: Using the power of the purse to support government programs Informal Power: Using signing statements to shape legislation Answer
C Formal Power: Acting as commander in chief of the military Informal Power: Signing executive agreements with foreign nations
On February 9, 2016, President Barack Obama released his budget proposal for the 2017 fiscal year. Facing a Republican Congress, many declared the plan "dead on arrival." Among the cited issues was Obama's request for $582.7 billion in discretionary spending for defense, which many Republicans believed was not enough. Which of the following most accurately explains the interaction between the president and the Congress regarding the defense budget? A The Congress has the enumerated power to raise revenue, but it is forced to work with the president because the president has the power to determine spending for each department in the upcoming fiscal year. B The president can create a budget for defense spending, but Congress has the power to execute laws and operate the government, which can affect how much money is actually spent. C Congress passes a budget for the entire federal government, including defense, but it must consider the president's proposal because the president may veto the bill. D The president introduces a specific budget bill for defense spending, but Congress uses its power of legislative oversight to set up a negotiation process with the president.
C. Congress passes a budget for the entire federal government, including defense, but it must consider the president's proposal because the president may veto the bill.
Shortly after the 2008 election, President Obama appointed outspoken and controversial House member Rahm Emanuel to lead his White House as chief of staff. The selection drew criticism from Republican leaders, including House minority leader John Boehner, who remarked that the selection "is an ironic choice for a president-elect who has promised to change Washington, make politics more civil, and govern from the center." Which of the following explains how Congress could legitimately respond to the appointment? A The Senate could refuse to confirm the appointment. B The House of Representatives could filibuster the nomination. C The Rules Committee could refuse to release the bill that made the appointment. D Members of Congress could issue statements opposing the appointment but have no formal power to block it.
D Members of Congress could issue statements opposing the appointment but have no formal power to block it.
In November 2014, President Obama announced an expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program through an executive order. The policy would protect over 700,000 more children of undocumented immigrants from deportation. Republican members of Congress denounced the order as an abuse of executive power. Previously, members of the House of Representatives had voted to defund the program. This scenario best illustrates which of the following? A A reluctant bureaucracy can hinder a president's agenda. B Public opinion can influence how Congress responds to a president. C Iron triangles form between members of the president's party and opponents in Congress. D Presidents exert informal powers when their policy agenda conflicts with that of Congress.
D Presidents exert informal powers when their policy agenda conflicts with that of Congress.
Which of the following is an example of how the innovation of social media can influence presidential behavior? A The president holds a press conference to discuss midterm election results. B The president outlines the administration's legislative agenda in the State of the Union Address. C The president hosts a White House dinner with a foreign head of state. D The president announces the nomination of a cabinet secretary on the Internet.
D The president announces the nomination of a cabinet secretary on the Internet.
