Executive Branch Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the Legislative Branch?

  • Veto laws
  • Enforce laws
  • Make laws (correct)
  • Interpret laws

    • The Senate consists of representatives based on a state's population.

    False

    What is a bill?

    A proposed law presented to Congress for approval.

    The House of Representatives is known for proportional representation and a maximum term of _____ years.

    <p>2</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following houses of Congress with their characteristics:

    <p>House of Representatives = Lower house with proportional representation Senate = Upper house with equal state representation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which amendment allowed voters to directly elect senators?

    <p>17th Amendment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The President has the power to veto a bill passed by Congress, but Congress can override the veto with a simple majority.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is gerrymandering?

    <p>Redrawing voting district lines to benefit a political party.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an implied power of Congress?

    <p>Power not directly stated in the Constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Great Compromise created a unicameral legislature.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term length for members of the House of Representatives?

    <p>2 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the House of Representatives, California has ______ members.

    <p>52</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following U.S. Presidents to their impeachment status:

    <p>Andrew Johnson = Impeached Bill Clinton = Impeached Donald Trump = Impeached twice George Washington = Never Impeached</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of the Speaker of the House?

    <p>Lead the House of Representatives</p> Signup and view all the answers

    No president has ever been impeached.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How often is the U.S. Census taken?

    <p>Every 10 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of the House Ways and Means Committee?

    <p>To handle tax and revenue issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Senators are required to be at least 25 years old.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main task of Congress?

    <p>Making and passing laws.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Bill of Rights protects individual freedoms and limits federal government power by guaranteeing rights such as free speech and ________.

    <p>due process</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following roles with their responsibilities:

    <p>Senators = Propose and vote on laws and approve treaties Representatives = Address local concerns and represent their districts Committees = Review proposed legislation and hold hearings Congress = Makes and passes laws</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the current Speaker of the House until the next Congress begins?

    <p>Mike Johnson</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first step in the process of a bill becoming a law?

    <p>A member of Congress introduces the bill</p> Signup and view all the answers

    House members have longer terms than Senators.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Describe the power Congress has in regards to government spending.

    <p>Congress controls government spending through the power of the purse, approving budgets, allocating funds, and overseeing expenditures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Supreme Court consists of ten justices.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action can the president take if he disagrees with a bill passed by Congress?

    <p>Veto the bill</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Anti-Federalists were concerned about a strong central government and wanted protections for states' rights and individual _______.

    <p>freedoms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

    <p>Supreme Court = The highest judicial authority in the U.S. Federal Judge = Appointed to serve in federal courts Anti Federalist concerns = Fears of a strong central government Bill of Rights = Protections for individual freedoms and states' rights</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these steps is NOT part of the bill process?

    <p>District Court hearing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A two-thirds majority vote in Congress can override a presidential veto.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who confirms the appointment of federal judges?

    <p>The Senate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is next in line after the Vice President in the Presidential Succession List?

    <p>Speaker of the House</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The President has the power to directly create laws without any legislative process.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the Chief of Staff in the White House?

    <p>The Chief of Staff manages the President's schedule and oversees White House operations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The main job of the _____ is to advise the President on national security and foreign policy issues.

    <p>National Security Council</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following members of the Inner Cabinet with their corresponding positions:

    <p>Secretary of State = Foreign affairs Secretary of the Treasury = Economic policy Secretary of Defense = Military matters Attorney General = Legal affairs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which agency is the largest in the Executive Office of the President?

    <p>Office of Management and Budget</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The State of the Union Address is held twice a year.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Describe the President's role as Legislative Leader.

    <p>The President proposes legislation, works with Congress to pass laws, and can sign or veto bills.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do Textualists or Originalists focus on when interpreting the Constitution?

    <p>The original meaning and historical context</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Living Constitutionalists believe that the Constitution's meaning should remain static over time.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the authority of a court to hear a case first called?

    <p>Original jurisdiction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in cases involving __________.

    <p>states or foreign diplomats</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following court terms with their definitions:

    <p>District Court = Lowest level of the federal court system handling trials Court of Appeals = Reviews decisions from District Courts and does not hold trials Judicial Review = Determines if laws or actions violate the Constitution Majority Opinion = Explains the Supreme Court's decision supported by most justices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which court system primarily handles civil and criminal cases under federal law?

    <p>District Court</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A dissenting opinion is a legal opinion written by a justice that agrees with the majority decision.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?

    <p>Nine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Executive Branch

    • The Executive Branch enforces laws, headed by the President
    • Includes Vice President, Cabinet, and federal agencies
    • POTUS (President of the United States)
    • President is the nation's chief decision-maker and leader
    • Prime Minister vs President: A Prime Minister is chosen by the legislature, a President is typically directly elected
    • Commander in Chief: President commands the military
    • Chief Legislator: President influences laws, proposes bills, and signs/vetoes legislation
    • Chief Diplomat: President directs U.S. foreign policy, negotiates with other countries
    • Chief of the Party: President is leader of their political party
    • Chief Executive: President ensures laws are carried out, oversees federal agencies
    • Chief of State: President is the symbolic representative of the United States
    • Chief Citizen: President represents the American people, promotes public interests
    • Chief Guardian of the Economy: President monitors the economy, promotes growth and manages spending

    Executive Departments

    • Specialized government agencies like the Department of Defense
    • Carry out policies

    War Powers Act

    • Limits the President's ability to send troops into combat without Congress's approval
    • Requires troop withdrawal after 60 days unless Congress grants an extension

    Vice President

    • Supports the President
    • Serves as President of the Senate
    • Steps in if the President cannot perform their duties

    Executive Agreements

    • International agreements made by the President without Senate approval
    • Typically less formal than treaties

    Executive Privilege

    • Allows the President to keep certain communications private
    • Confidentiality for national security and decision-making

    22nd Amendment

    • Limits the President to two terms in office

    25th Amendment

    • Outlines presidential succession procedures if the President is unable to serve

    Executive Order

    • Directive issued by the President, has the force of law
    • Manages federal operations without Congress

    Pardon

    • Official forgiveness for a crime, removes legal penalties

    Treaties

    • Formal agreements between countries
    • Require approval by two-thirds of the Senate

    Ambassador

    • Official representative of a country, works in foreign nations
    • Handles diplomatic relations

    Cabinet

    • Group of advisers chosen by the President
    • Leads executive departments
    • Assists in making decisions and implementing policies

    Federal Bureaucracy

    • Consists of government agencies and departments
    • Carries out laws and policies
    • Includes millions of employees

    Political Appointees

    • Chosen by the President
    • Hold key government positions
    • Typically serve for the duration of the President's term

    Requirements to Become U.S. President

    • Must be at least 35 years old
    • Natural-born U.S. citizen
    • Resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years

    Presidential Elections

    • Occur every four years
    • Term limit is two terms (22nd Amendment)

    Electoral Votes

    • Each state's electoral votes equal its number of Senators (2) plus its number of Representatives in the House
    • A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency out of 538 total votes

    Vice President's Duties

    • Serves as President of the Senate
    • Casts a tie-breaking vote
    • Takes over if the President cannot perform their duties

    Presidential Succession List

    1. Vice President
    2. Speaker of the House
    3. President Pro Tempore of the Senate
    4. Cabinet members, starting with the Secretary of State

    President's Role as Legislative Leader

    • Proposes legislation
    • Works with Congress to pass laws
    • Can sign or veto bills

    Constitutional Powers of the President

    • Veto legislation
    • Appoint federal judges
    • Negotiate treaties
    • Serve as Commander in Chief of the armed forces

    State of the Union Address

    • Annual speech outlining the nation's current status and legislative goals to Congress

    Executive Office of the President (EOP)

    • Assists the President in executing policies
    • Manages tasks
    • Advises on important issues

    Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

    • Largest agency in the EOP
    • Prepares the federal budget
    • Monitors spending by executive agencies

    National Security Council (NSC)

    • Advises the President on national security and foreign policy matters

    Chief of Staff

    • Most important official in the White House Office
    • Manages the President's schedule
    • Oversees White House operations

    Members of the Inner Cabinet

    1. Secretary of State
    2. Secretary of the Treasury
    3. Secretary of Defense
    4. Attorney General

    Short Answer/Essay Questions [Example Answers]

    • (NOTE: These are examples, you need to answer the questions yourself based on the information provided.)*
    1. President's roles: Commander in Chief (leading the military), Chief Diplomat (representing the U.S. internationally), Chief Legislator (working with Congress to pass laws), and Chief Executive (ensuring laws are carried out.)
    • Provide an example of each role for further detail.

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    Description

    Explore the essential roles and responsibilities of the Executive Branch of the United States government, including the President's various roles such as Commander in Chief and Chief Diplomat. This quiz covers the key functions and the differences between a President and a Prime Minister, as well as the influence of the Executive on legislation and foreign policy.

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