Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the president's power to act as the civilian head of the armed forces called?
What is the president's power to act as the civilian head of the armed forces called?
What power allows the president to reject a bill passed by Congress?
What power allows the president to reject a bill passed by Congress?
Which power requires a 2/3 approval by the Senate to become effective?
Which power requires a 2/3 approval by the Senate to become effective?
What does executive privilege allow the president to withhold?
What does executive privilege allow the president to withhold?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an executive order?
What is an executive order?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the main objective of the Fast and Furious operation?
What was the main objective of the Fast and Furious operation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an executive order primarily characterized as?
What is an executive order primarily characterized as?
Signup and view all the answers
What can Congress do to check the president's use of executive orders?
What can Congress do to check the president's use of executive orders?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements about the Supreme Court's ruling on the Biden vaccine mandate is true?
Which of the following statements about the Supreme Court's ruling on the Biden vaccine mandate is true?
Signup and view all the answers
What criticism do presidents face regarding executive orders?
What criticism do presidents face regarding executive orders?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main purpose of the State of the Union Address?
What is the main purpose of the State of the Union Address?
Signup and view all the answers
Who typically stands behind the president during the State of the Union Address?
Who typically stands behind the president during the State of the Union Address?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the EOP?
Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the EOP?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a notable feature of the State of the Union Address today?
What is a notable feature of the State of the Union Address today?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common characteristic of members of the EOP?
What is a common characteristic of members of the EOP?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant reason for the use of executive privilege by the president?
What is a significant reason for the use of executive privilege by the president?
Signup and view all the answers
Which presidential power is utilized when the president clarifies congressional policy?
Which presidential power is utilized when the president clarifies congressional policy?
Signup and view all the answers
What is required for a presidential veto to be overridden?
What is required for a presidential veto to be overridden?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the president as Chief Foreign Policy Maker?
What is the role of the president as Chief Foreign Policy Maker?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant limitation on the use of executive orders by the president?
What is a significant limitation on the use of executive orders by the president?
Signup and view all the answers
How can executive privilege be perceived in relation to presidential power?
How can executive privilege be perceived in relation to presidential power?
Signup and view all the answers
What can be a consequence of a president issuing an executive order?
What can be a consequence of a president issuing an executive order?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant role of the Executive Office of the President (EOP)?
What is a significant role of the Executive Office of the President (EOP)?
Signup and view all the answers
Which event is primarily characterized by a televised address to Congress?
Which event is primarily characterized by a televised address to Congress?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the primary purpose of creating the Executive Office of the President in 1939?
What was the primary purpose of creating the Executive Office of the President in 1939?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the president regularly inform Congress about through the State of the Union Address?
What does the president regularly inform Congress about through the State of the Union Address?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the Executive Office of the President NOT directly handle?
What does the Executive Office of the President NOT directly handle?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about the president's appointment power is accurate?
Which statement about the president's appointment power is accurate?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant characteristic of executive orders issued by the president?
What is a significant characteristic of executive orders issued by the president?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a primary concern regarding the use of executive orders by the president?
What is a primary concern regarding the use of executive orders by the president?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a notable characteristic of executive orders in terms of their legal standing?
What is a notable characteristic of executive orders in terms of their legal standing?
Signup and view all the answers
How often is the president required to inform Congress about the State of the Union?
How often is the president required to inform Congress about the State of the Union?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant feature of today's State of the Union Address?
What is a significant feature of today's State of the Union Address?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following members does not typically attend the State of the Union Address?
Which of the following members does not typically attend the State of the Union Address?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Presidential Powers
- The president is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces.
- The president is the Chief Foreign Policy maker and negotiates treaties.
- The president has the power to veto legislation passed by Congress.
- The president has the power to negotiate treaties with other countries but they require 2/3 Senate approval.
- The president has the power to appoint thousands of positions within the federal government.
- The president has the power to pardon individuals from legal penalties.
- The president has the power to make executive agreements with other countries.
- The president has the power to keep confidential certain documents regarding the executive branch or national security—executive privilege.
- The president has the power to issue executive orders that clarify congressional policy.
Executive Privilege
- The president has the right to withhold information from Congress, courts, and the public.
- Executive privilege can be used for national security or to protect the privacy of White House deliberations.
Executive Orders
- Executive orders are clarifications of congressional policy.
- They have the full force of law and are usually directives to bureaucratic agencies.
- They do not require congressional approval.
- They are often used to carry out the president's will on an existing law.
- They are controversial because they can give the president too much power.
- Congress can “check” the president’s use of EO by refusing to fund them, passing laws to cancel them, or challenging them in court.
State of The Union Address
- The president has the constitutional obligation to regularly inform Congress of the State of the Union.
- The State of the Union has become a televised spectacle where the president addresses both chambers of Congress, members of the Supreme Court, Cabinet members, and guests.
Executive Office of the President (EOP)
- The EOP was created to provide support to the president.
- The EOP has responsibility for tasks ranging from communicating the President’s message to the American people to promoting trade interests abroad.
- Most members of the EOP do not require Senate approval and can be fired by the president.
- The EOP is headed by the Chief of Staff who oversees the operations of all White House staff.
President’s Cabinet
- The Cabinet advises the President on any subject relating to their respective offices.
- It includes the Vice President and the heads of the 15 executive departments.
Bureaucracy
- The bureaucracy is an administrative group of non-elected officials charged with carrying out policies and programs.
- The bureaucracy has grown to be a major force in political affairs.
Independent Agencies
- Organizations within the executive branch created by Congress to execute the law.
- They are separate from the departments and have a presidential appointee at the top.
Independent Regulatory Boards and Commissions
- Organizations that regulate various businesses, industries, or economic sectors.
- They have a presidential appointee at the top.
Government Corporations
- Organizations that fill a commercial function that is important but not profitable enough for private industry.
Power of The Bureaucracy
- Broad language in laws gives more power to bureaucratic agencies.
- This allows them to carry out the laws as they see fit.
Problems With The Bureaucracy
- Inter-government agency clashes can occur as agencies vie for resources, support, and clientele.
- Bureaucratic culture refers to the accepted values and procedures that lead to a culture of conformity.
- Whistleblowers try to expose wrongdoings in the bureaucracy.
Presidential Powers
- The President's power to act as the civilian head of the military is known as the Commander-in-Chief role.
- The President's power to negotiate treaties with other countries exists, however, they require a 2/3 approval by the Senate.
- The President's power to appoint thousands of positions within the federal government, including the entire federal judiciary is known as appointment power.
- The President's power to release or excuse a person from legal penalties, is known as the Pardoning Power.
- Treaties are agreements with other countries that create foreign policy without the need for Senate approval.
- Executive Privilege is the ability of the President to keep confidential certain documents concerning the executive branch or national security, often used in national security instances or to protect the privacy of White House deliberations.
- Executive Orders are clarifications of congressional policy issued by the president, having the full force of law.
Executive Orders in Further Detail
- Executive Orders can be directives to bureaucratic agencies and do not need congressional approval but have the same weight as law.
- When the President chooses to bypass Congress they can issue an EO directing a bureaucratic agency to carry out the will of the president under the pretext of an existing law.
- These are highly controversial because they can give the president too much power.
- Congress can refuse to fund executive orders or pass laws that cancel out executive orders.
- EO can be challenged in court.
- Presidents can undo past executive orders.
State of the Union Address
- The State of the Union address is the President's constitutional obligation to regularly inform Congress of the State of the Union and to recommend measures considered useful or necessary.
- The President delivers the State of Union address to both chambers of Congress, members of the Supreme Court, the cabinet, various invited guests, and the Vice President and Speaker are seated behind the President during the address.
The Executive Office of the President
- The Executive Office of the President (EOP) was created in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to aid in governing effectively.
- The EOP is responsible for tasks ranging from communicating the President's message to the American people to promoting trade interests abroad.
- Members of the EOP serve at the will of the president, most don't need Senate approval and can be fired by the President.
- The EOP is headed by the Chief of Staff, who oversees the operations and controls access to the President.
The President's Cabinet
- The President's cabinet is comprised of the heads of the 15 executive departments: Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, and the Attorney General.
- Additionally, the Cabinet includes: the White House Chief of Staff, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, the Director of National Intelligence, the US Trade Representative, as well as the heads of the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Management and Budget, Council of Economic Advisers, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Small Business Administration.
The Bureaucracy
- The bureaucracy is an administrative group of unelected officials charged with carrying out policies and programs.
- In the United States, the bureaucracy began as a very small collection of individuals and then grew to be a major force in political affairs.
Independent Agencies
- Organizations within the executive branch, created by Congress, that execute the law and that are separate from the departments with a presidential appointee at the top. Examples include: FEC, SSA, NASA.
Independent Regulatory Boards and Commissions
- Organizations that regulate various businesses, industries, or economic sector with a presidential appointee at the top. Examples include: FDA, NTSB, NLRB, SEC.
Government Corporations
- Organizations that fill some commercial function that are important but not profitable enough for private industry. Examples: AMTRAK or USPS.
Power of the Bureaucracy
- Broad language in laws gives more power to bureaucratic agencies to carry out the law as they see fit.
- A common criticism of the bureaucracy is that unelected officials are tasked with creating rules that the public must abide by.
Problems With The Bureaucracy
- Inter-government agency refers to clashes between agencies as they vie for budgetary funds, public support, and clientele groups.
- Bureaucratic Culture refers to the accepted values and procedures of an organization leading to a culture of conform and cover up.
- Those who come forward and try to expose wrongdoings in the bureaucracy are called whistleblowers.
Presidential Powers
- Commander in Chief: President acts as civilian head of the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Chief Foreign Policy Maker: President formulates foreign policy and negotiates treaties.
- Presidential Veto: President can reject bills passed by Congress. A 2/3 majority vote in both houses can override a veto.
- Negotiate Treaties: Agreements with other countries requiring 2/3 Senate approval.
- Appointment Power: President appoints thousands of positions within the federal government, including the entire federal judiciary.
- Pardoning Power: President can release or excuse individuals from legal penalties for crimes.
- Executive Privilege: President can keep confidential certain documents regarding the executive branch or national security.
- Executive Orders: President can issue clarifications of Congressional policy, having the same weight as law.
Executive Privilege Explained
- Executive Privilege is the right of the President and high-level executive officials to withhold information from Congress, courts, and public.
- This power is used for national security needs and protecting the privacy of White House deliberations in the public's interest.
Executive Orders Explained
- Executive orders clarify Congressional policy (laws) and are usually directives to bureaucratic agencies.
- They do not require Congressional approval but have the same weight as law.
- Presidents can use them to bypass Congress.
State of the Union Address
- The President has a constitutional obligation to inform Congress about the state of the Union and recommend measures deemed necessary.
- The modern State of the Union Address is a televised event where the President addresses both houses of Congress, the Supreme Court, Cabinet members, and guests.
Executive Office of the President (EOP)
- The EOP was created in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- The EOP supports the President in governing effectively, ranging from communication to promoting trade interests.
- Most EOP members do not require Senate approval and can be fired by the President.
- The EOP is headed by the Chief of Staff, who oversees White House staff operations and controls access to the President.
Presidential Cabinet
- The President's Cabinet advises the President on subjects related to their respective departments.
- The Cabinet includes the Vice President and heads of the 15 executive departments: Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, and the Attorney General.
- Additionally, the Cabinet includes the White House Chief of Staff, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, the Director of National Intelligence, the US Trade Representative, heads of the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Management and Budget, Council of Economic Advisers, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Small Business Administration.
The Bureaucracy
- Bureaucracy refers to a group of non-elected officials who carry out policy and program functions.
- The U.S. bureaucracy has grown significantly since its beginnings as a small group.
- The bureaucracy plays a major role in political affairs.
Independent Agencies
- Organizations within the executive branch created by Congress that execute laws separate from the Departments.
- Examples: FEC, SSA, NASA.
Independent Regulatory Boards and Commissions
- Organizations that regulate businesses, industries, or economic sectors with a presidential appointee at the top.
- Examples: FDA, NTSB, NLRB, SEC.
Government Corporations
- Organizations that fill commercial functions important but not profitable enough for private industry.
- Examples: Amtrak, USPS.
Power of the Bureaucracy
- Broad language in laws gives more power to bureaucratic agencies in implementing those laws.
- Critics argue that unelected officials create rules for the public to follow.
Problems with the Bureaucracy
- Inter-Governmental Agency: Clashes between agencies competing for resources, support, and clientele groups.
- Bureaucratic Culture: Accepted values and procedures leading to a culture of conformity and cover-up.
- Whistleblowers: Individuals who expose wrongdoings within the bureaucracy.
- Whistleblower Protection Act: Passed in 1989 to protect whistleblowers, but it isn't a guarantee.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on the various powers and responsibilities of the U.S. President. This quiz covers topics such as command over the armed forces, treaty negotiation, and executive privilege. Learn about the significant authority granted to the President in the U.S. government system.
