Executive Branch Test

4 Presidential Qualifications

1. Natural-born citizen

2. At least 35 years old

3. Resident for at least 14 years

4. 2 terms (Washington’s tradition)

22nd Amendment

Limited the Presidential term to 2 terms of 4 years or 10 years total

Impeachment

Delegated to the House of Representatives to charge the President, vice president, or other civil officers with “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

2 steps for impeachment

1. House of Representatives investigate/charge the civil officers with “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

2. 2/3 vote from Senate

National Security Powers (4)

1. Serves as commander-in-chief

2. Negotiates treaties with other nations

3. Nominates ambassadors (with Senate approval)

4. Receives ambassadors of other nations

War Powers Resolution

Must notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops to combat, conflicts are limited to 60 days unless Congress takes action

Executive agreements

arrangements with foreign countries with no congressional approval

Legislative Powers (5)

1. Can recommend measures that he deems necessary and expedient

2. Sign bills into law

3. Preset information on the State of the Union to Congress

4. Convene both houses of Congress

5. Veto legislation (2/3 vote from both houses are necessary in order to override)

State of the Union Address

Annual message delivered by the President to a joint session of Congress

Honeymoon Period

An early time in an administration when the President enjoys public approval and has a greater ability to achieve legislative success

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Created in 1921 to help the President tell Congress how much $ was needed to run the executive branch. The OMB prepares the President’s annual budget proposal, reviews the budget and programs of the executive departments, etc.

Administrative powers (3)

1. See that laws are implemented/carried out/executed

2. “Take care” that the laws be fully executed

3. Nominate/appoint officials (approved by the Senate)

Judicial powers (2)

1. Grants pardons, commutation, or reprieve for federal offenses (except impeachment)

2. Nominate federal judges (Senate approved)

Executive orders

Orders given by the President to Federal Agencies, allowing him/her to manage the federal government

Signing Statements

A written comment issued by a President at the time of signing a bill. It may explain the President’s interpretation of the bill. The Constitution says nothing about Signing Statements.

Executive Privilege

Power claimed by the President to keep executive branch conversations and correspondence confidential from the other branches

Arthur Schlesinger Jr. Claim

We now have an imperial presidency

Imperial Presidency

a presidency characterized by greater powers than the constitution allows

Bully Pulpit

Presidents appealing to the public in order to pressure the other branches of government to support their policies

Hamdi v. Rumsfeld

The President does not have the authority to label U.S. citizens “enemy combatants and restrict their access to the court system.”

Vice President (2)

1. Ensure orderly transfer of power in the event of death or emergency

2. Presiding officer of the Senate 

Balancing the ticket

The practice of selecting a vice presidential candidate who complements the president

Cabinet members

President + Vice President + 15 department heads (Senate confirmation)

The Executive Office of the President

Policy-related offices that help the President, including OMB, CIA, CEA (Economic advisors), etc.

The White House Office

Part of the EOP, key political and personal advisors to the President

Going Public

Mobilizing public opinion by going directly to the public

The principle power of the President 

The power to bring people in and persuade them

Presidential Leadership Roles (7)

1. Chief executive

2. Chief legislator

3. Commander-in-chief

4. Party leader

5. Chief of State

6. Chief diplomat

7. Chief economist

Federalist 70–What are the “ingredients” for energy in the executive? (4)

1. Unity

2. Duration

3. Adequate provision for support

4. Competent powers

Title IX

A law passed by Congress that prohibited sex-based discrimination by schools receiving government money

Pocket Veto

An informal veto caused when the president chooses not to sign a bill within 10 days, during a time when Congress has adjourned at the end of a session.

Bureaucrat

An official employed within a government bureaucracy

Political patronage

Filling administrative positions as a reward for support, rather than merit

Pendleton Act

Created the first United States Civil Service Commission to draw up and enforce rules on hiring, promotion, etc.

Federal civil service

the merit-based bureaucracy

Merit system

A system of hiring and promotion based on testing results, education, and other qualifications rather than politics and personal connections. 

Iron triangle

Mutually beneficial activities of the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups to achieve shared policy goals

Issue network

Webs of influence between interest groups, policymakers, and policy advocates

Implementation

The bureaucracy’s role in putting into action the laws that Congress has passed

Bureaucratic adjudication

The federal bureaucracy settles disputes between parties that arise over the implementation of federal laws (acting like a court/the judicial branch)