Powers of the Presidency Flashcards

Questions and Answers

List the formal powers of the presidency.

Veto power, command armed forces, pardoning power, appointment powers, make treaties, convene Congress.

List the informal powers of the presidency.

The power to go public, power of persuasion, make executive agreements, issue executive orders, issue signing statements, create & use bureaucracy, personality and leadership, and make legislative proposals.

What is the primary job of the executive branch?

Ensure that laws of the U.S. are obeyed.

Where are the powers of the president found?

Article II of the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What are the qualifications to become president?

Be born in U.S. soil, be naturally born, be a U.S. citizen (in U.S. for 14 years), and be 35 years old. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the president gets very ill or dies in office?

Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 7 roles of the president?

Chief of the Executive Branch, Head of State, Foreign policy leader, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Legislative leader, Economic leader, Political party leader. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Executive Office of the President?

Mini bureaucracy created in 1939 to help the president oversee the executive branch. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 4 of the most important advisory groups?

National Security Council, Council of Economic Advisers, Office of Management and Budget, Office of the Vice President. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 15 Cabinet Departments?

Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veteran Affairs. Signup and view all the answers

Describe formal presidential foreign policy powers.

Commander in Chief - power to commit troops, appointment of ambassadors and foreign policy officials, negotiate/make treaties, recognition of nations, receive ambassadors and other public ministers. Signup and view all the answers

Describe formal legislative foreign policy powers.

Confirm ambassadors, power of purse in military/foreign policy matters, declare war, pass laws/resolutions, regulate foreign commerce, ratify treaties. Signup and view all the answers

Explain informal executive powers in conducting foreign policy.

Executive agreements, access to media, agenda setting, meet with world leaders, crisis manager, international coalition building, president has access to more information, recognized as global leader. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how each informal executive power provides the president with an advantage over Congress.

Persuade Congress (negotiating, offering support, threats, etc.) or persuading the public on foreign policy (apply pressure to Congress), ability to circumvent the formal process. Signup and view all the answers

How long is the term of office for the president?

4 years. Signup and view all the answers

How can a president be removed from office?

Accused of misdemeanors by the House and 2/3rds of Senate must be convinced to impeach him in trial. Chief Justice presides as Judge. Signup and view all the answers

How is the president's power over treaties checked?

Senator approval process. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Formal Powers of the Presidency

Veto power: Ability to reject bills passed by Congress.
Command armed forces: Authority to direct military operations.
Pardoning power: President can grant pardons for federal offenses.
Appointment powers: President appoints judges, ambassadors, and other officials.
Make treaties: Power to negotiate and enter into treaties with foreign nations.
Convene Congress: Can call special sessions of Congress.

Informal Powers of the Presidency

Power to go public: Utilize media to influence public opinion.
Power of persuasion: Ability to sway Congress and public to support initiatives.
Make executive agreements: Arrange international agreements without Senate approval.
Issue executive orders: Directives that manage operations within the federal government.
Issue signing statements: Comments on the interpretation of laws upon signing.
Create & use bureaucracy: Establish agencies to implement policies.
Personality and leadership: Charismatic influence and leadership style.
Make legislative proposals: Initiate bills or suggest legislation to Congress.

Primary Job of the Executive Branch

Ensure that laws of the United States are duly enforced and followed.

Location of Presidential Powers

Powers of the President are delineated in Article II of the Constitution.

Qualifications to Become President

Must be a natural-born citizen or born on U.S. soil.
At least 35 years old.
Resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years.

Succession in Case of Presidential Illness or Death

If the President is incapacitated, the succession order: Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State.

Roles of the President

Chief of Executive Branch: Oversees federal administration.
Head of State: Represents the nation and performs ceremonial duties.
Foreign Policy Leader: Directs U.S. foreign policy.
Commander in Chief: Leads the armed forces.
Legislative Leader: Influences legislation and policy making.
Economic Leader: Guides economic policy and growth.
Political Party Leader: Heads political party and supports party initiatives.

Executive Office of the President

Established in 1939 to assist the President in managing the executive branch through various offices.

Important Advisory Groups

National Security Council: Advises on security issues.
Council of Economic Advisers: Provides economic policy advice.
Office of Management and Budget: Oversees budgetary processes.
Office of the Vice President: Supports the Vice President's responsibilities.

Cabinet Departments

Comprises 15 departments, including Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs.

Formal Presidential Foreign Policy Powers

Commander in Chief: Controls troop deployment.
Appoint ambassadors: Fill key foreign policy positions.
Negotiate treaties: Engage in formal international agreements.
Recognize nations: Establish diplomatic relations.
Receive ambassadors: Host foreign diplomats.

Formal Legislative Foreign Policy Powers

Confirm ambassadors: Senate's role in approving nominees.
Power of the purse: Congress controls military funding.
Declare war: Congress holds authority to declare war.
Pass laws/resolutions: Legislative control over foreign affairs.
Regulate foreign commerce: Congress manages international trade.
Ratify treaties: Senate approval required for treaties to take effect.

Informal Executive Powers in Foreign Policy

Executive agreements enhance flexibility and speed in foreign relations.
Access to media assists in shaping public perception.
Agenda setting allows the President to prioritize issues.
Meetings with world leaders build diplomatic relations.
Crisis management provides immediate decision-making authority.
International coalition building strengthens alliances.
Greater access to information than Congress facilitates informed decisions.
President viewed as a global leader affects international relations.

Advantages of Informal Executive Powers

Persuade Congress using negotiation, support offers, or threats.
Influence public opinion to apply pressure on Congress.
Circumvent formal processes for quicker action.

Presidential Term of Office

Each term lasts 4 years.

Removal from Office

Impeachment requires accusation of misdemeanors by the House, with conviction necessitating a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate; presided over by the Chief Justice during trial.

Checks on Presidential Treaty Power

Required Senatorial approval process ensures legislative oversight of treaties.

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Description

This quiz provides a comprehensive overview of the formal and informal powers of the U.S. Presidency. Students will learn key concepts, including veto power, appointment powers, and the influence of presidential personality. Use these flashcards to strengthen your understanding of presidential authority.