GOV EXECUTIVE BRANCH TEST

what advantages does the bureaucracy have over the presidency when it comes to executing policy?

-bureaucrats have worked in agencies longer, so they have more experience in getting policy executed

-administrative discretion

-don't have to worry about public image

bully pulpit

the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public

source of power of the bureaucracy

the power of discretionary authority

what is the mentality of an agency head when it comes to allegiance?

the agency head will follow the needs of the agency over the needs of the President

formal powers of the President

- are things said in the constitution; direct

- head of state

- chief diplomat

- veto

- pardon

Informal Powers of the President

not written in constitution

-executive orders/agreements

-signing statements

-bargain and persuade

-war powers act

-establish cabinet

-bully pulpit

-creating agencies

-executive privilege

Congressional oversight of bureaucracy

The United States Congress has the authority to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews of the actions by the executive branch.

independent regulatory agencies

An administrative agency that is not considered part of the government's executive branch and is not subject to the authority of the president.

ex: Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission

pocket veto

an indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session.

discretionary authority

The ability of a bureaucracy to choose courses of action and make policies not spelled out in advance by laws.

line item veto

-Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package

-declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in Clinton v NY 1996

what are some considerations of the president when he is hiring white house staff?

-how well the President trusts them

-mental competence

-how diverse the staff is

-party allegiance

independent executive agency

A federal agency that is not part of a cabinet department but reports directly to the president

ex: NASA and the EPA

executive agreements

Agreements with other countries that do not need senate approval

executive order

-a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law

-easier than trying to convince senators

how has the expansion of the bureaucracy affected Presidential power?

as bureaucracy expands Presidential power expands

how does Presidential approval change within a term?

-there is usually a "honeymoon" period--first 6-9 months

-then halfway through the congress seats usually swap

-can be affected by national events, scandals, foreign relations, and the ECONOMY

why do some people argue that the President has too much power?

things like inherent powers, signing statements

Federalist 70 main points

-a unitary executive is what's best because they are able to operate with some speed when it comes to crisis situations (military)

-a president needs to have "energy"= be powerful and passionate

-there still needs to be checks and balances on the president, though

-a unitary president helps people observe the executive branch

Sources of Presidential Power

-presidential character and personality

-position itself

-popularity/approval rating

-past successes and failures!!

iron triangles and what they are now

-iron triangles consist of interest groups, government agencies, and congressional committees or subcommittees that have a mutually dependent, mutually advantageous relationship; they dominate some areas of domestic policymaking.

-iron triangles died because there were too many interest groups-they have now turned into issue networks

all White House staff positions

The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.

persuasion versus command and control method for president

-Congress members are more likely to do what the President wants when the President persuades them

-however, if Congress doesn't listen, the President can appeal to the people and get the public to persuade Congress

how does the President have power over Congress due to the media?

the media covers the President more because it is easier

why does Congress give agencies so much discretion?

agencies have a lot of expertise, so they know how to execute policy well

what type of presidential nominees need Senate confirmation?

judges for the SCOTUS, ambassadors, US Attorneys and Marshals, Cabinet members

signing statements

announcements made by the president when signing bills into law, often presenting the president's interpretation of the law

War Powers Act

Passed by Congress in 1973; the president is limited in the deployment of troops overseas to a sixty-day period in peacetime (which can be extended for an extra thirty days to permit withdrawal) unless Congress explicitly gives its approval for a longer period.

#1 question over scenario FRQ

executive orders-all details

aka ordinance power

-has the force of law, but doesn't need Senate approval

-can be challenged in court

-extension of a President's power

-not in Constitution

-implied power

#4 type question FRQ- FED 70

Checks and balances and powers of bureaucracy

-bureaucracy has power due to administrative discretion

-firing bureaucrat is almost impossible

-it is easier for a bureaucrat to slow policy implementation than to make it more efficient

-congress can control bureaucracy by restricting budget