Unit 3 Gov Executive/Legislative Branch and Media Bias

What are the major roles of the president?

• Chief Executive: Enforces laws and oversees the executive branch.

• Commander-in-Chief: Commands the armed forces.

• Handles foreign policy and negotiates treaties.

• Influences lawmaking and can veto bills.

• Represents the country ceremonially.

• Oversees the federal budget and economic policies.

• Party Leader: Leads their political party.

Formal powers of president?

Commander-in-Chief, veto power, treaty-making, appointing officials, pardons.

Informal powers of president

Executive orders, executive agreements, setting legislative agenda, public persuasion.

What is an executive order?

A directive issued by the president that has the force of law, used to manage the operations of the federal government.

What is the general size and scope of the executive branch?

The executive branch is vast, consisting of millions of employees, multiple departments, and numerous independent agencies.

How do departments differ from independent agencies?

Departments: Part of the president’s cabinet, led by secretaries (e.g., Department of Defense).

Independent agencies: Operate outside cabinet structure, focusing on specific issues (e.g., NASA).

What is the president’s “cabinet,” and what do we call the heads of executive branch departments?

The cabinet is a group of advisors who lead the major departments of the executive branch. Heads are called “secretaries.”

What’s the difference between department/agency “enforcement” and “regulation?”

Enforcement: Implementing and ensuring compliance with laws.

Regulation: Creating rules to clarify or implement laws.

What are the four ways the U.S. can go to war?

Declaration of war by Congress.

Congressional authorization (e.g., Authorizations for Use of Military Force).

President acting under constitutional authority during emergencies.

United Nations or treaty-based commitments.

Which branch holds the power to declare war, and what has changed in its use?

Congress holds this power. Over time, presidents have used military force without formal declarations of war.

What are force authorizations, and how did they come about?

Congressional approvals allowing military action without a declaration of war. Originated after WWII.

What are the arguments for and against Congress giving up too much war-making authority to the president?

For: Presidents can act quickly in emergencies.

Against: It undermines checks and balances, increasing executive power.

What does bicameral mean, and why do we have a bicameral legislature?

Bicameral: Two houses (House of Representatives and Senate).

Reasons: Historical (modeled on British Parliament), practical (compromise between large and small states), and theoretical (checks and balances).

What are the key differences between the House and Senate?

House: 435 members, 2-year terms, represents smaller districts.

Senate: 100 members, 6-year terms, represents entire states.

House rules are stricter; the Senate allows for more debate.

What is the primary function of the legislative branch?

making laws

What powers are granted exclusively to the House and Senate?

House: Initiates revenue bills, impeachment charges.

Senate: Approves treaties, confirms appointments, conducts impeachment trials.

How did the 17th Amendment change how senators are elected?

Senators are now directly elected by the people instead of state legislatures.

How does impeachment work?

The House votes to impeach (charges).

The Senate conducts a trial and votes to convict or acquit.

What are the steps for a bill to become a law?

Introduction, committee review, floor debate/vote, sent to another chamber, reconciliation of differences, sent to president for approval or veto.

How does Congress override a presidential veto?

By a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.

What role does the filibuster play in the bill-making process?

In the Senate, a filibuster can delay or block a vote unless 60 senators vote for cloture to end debate.

Who draws Congressional districts, and when is gerrymandering legal or unconstitutional?

State legislatures draw districts. Gerrymandering is unconstitutional if it violates equal representation or discriminates racially.

What is gridlock, and why is it a concern?

Gridlock occurs when partisanship prevents legislation from passing, making Congress ineffective.

What are the different types of media bias?

Bias by omission, selection of sources, story framing, word choice, and placement of stories.

What is the impact of bots and social media on democracy?

Bots amplify misinformation, polarize opinions, and erode trust in institutions, threatening democratic processes.