Chapter 5 Executive Branch

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for putting the nation's laws into effect.

Electoral College

The system that indirectly elects the president through state electors.

How many electoral votes does each state receive?

The number of its representatives plus its two senators.

Winner-Take-All System

The candidate who wins the popular vote in a state receives all of that state's electoral votes (in most states).

How many years is a presidential term?

Four years.

22nd Amendment

Limits presidents to two elected terms or up to 10 years total.

What are the three presidential qualifications?

Natural-born U.S. citizen, at least 35 years old, and a U.S. resident for at least 14 years.

Federalist No. 70

Alexander Hamilton's argument supporting one strong, energetic executive.

Who wrote Federalist No. 70?

Alexander Hamilton.

Why did Hamilton support one executive?

One leader allows quicker decisions, stronger leadership, and clearer accountability.

Formal Presidential Powers

Powers explicitly given to the president by the Constitution.

Informal Presidential Powers

Powers used to carry out presidential responsibilities that are not explicitly listed in the Constitution.

Chief Executive

The president carries out laws and oversees the executive branch and bureaucracy.

Cabinet

The 15 department heads who advise the president and help execute laws.

How are Cabinet members selected?

Appointed by the president and confirmed by a majority vote in the Senate.

Executive Orders

Policy directives issued by the president that do not require congressional approval.

How can the president influence the bureaucracy?

Use executive orders and increase or decrease agency budgets.

Chief Diplomat

The president guides U.S. foreign policy and represents the country internationally.

Treaty-Making Power

The president negotiates treaties, but two-thirds of the Senate must approve them.

Executive Agreements

Agreements between the president and another head of state that do not require Senate ratification.

How are treaties different from executive agreements?

Treaties require approval by two-thirds of the Senate; executive agreements do not.

Chief Legislator

The president acts as a policymaker and helps influence laws.

State of the Union Address

Annual presidential speech to Congress about national affairs and the president's legislative agenda.

Veto

The president's formal rejection of a bill.

How can Congress override a presidential veto?

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

Pocket Veto

When the president does not sign a bill within 10 days while Congress has adjourned, preventing it from becoming law.

Commander in Chief

The president is the civilian leader at the top of the military chain of command.

Who has the power to declare war?

Congress.

Pardon

The president's power to forgive a federal crime and remove its legal consequences, except in cases of impeachment.

Executive Privilege

The president's claimed right to keep certain conversations and records confidential.

United States v. Nixon (1974)

The Supreme Court required Nixon to turn over recordings, limiting executive privilege.

Signing Statement

Written comments issued by the president when signing a bill, sometimes explaining how the president interprets the law.

Unilateral Presidential Action

Action taken by the president without needing Congress to pass a new law.

How can Congress check the president?

Pass laws, control funding, confirm appointments, ratify treaties, and override vetoes.

War Powers Resolution

A law restricting the president from keeping troops in combat for more than 60 days without congressional authorization.

Why was the War Powers Resolution created?

To reassert Congress's control over presidential military power.

Impeachment

The process of charging a president with wrongdoing and potentially removing them from office.

What vote is needed to impeach a president?

A majority vote in the House of Representatives.

What vote is needed to convict and remove a president?

A two-thirds vote in the Senate.

What are the grounds for impeachment?

Treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

What is the House's role in impeachment?

The House brings articles of impeachment against the president.

What is the Senate's role in impeachment?

The Senate holds the trial and votes on whether to convict and remove the president.

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court's power to review and overturn unconstitutional executive actions.

How can the Supreme Court check presidential power?

It can block or overturn executive orders that violate the Constitution.

Hamdi v. Rumsfeld (2002)

The Supreme Court ruled that wartime powers do not give the president unlimited authority over citizens' rights.

The Vice President

Presides over the Senate, breaks tie votes, and is first in the presidential line of succession.

12th Amendment

Requires electors to cast separate votes for president and vice president.

25th Amendment

Establishes presidential succession and procedures when a president cannot perform the duties of office.

First Spouse

Has no formal government role but can promote programs and connect the president with the public.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

A large group of advisors and staff who directly assist the president.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

An office within the EOP that helps manage the federal budget.

National Security Council (NSC)

Advises the president on national security and foreign policy.

Chief of Party

The president's unofficial role as the leader of their political party.

How does the president work with Congress?

By bargaining, persuading, and working with party leaders to pass the president's agenda.

Going Public

A strategy where the president appeals directly to the public for support of policies.

Bully Pulpit

The president uses public attention and influence to pressure other branches to support policies.

Who popularized the term bully pulpit?

Theodore Roosevelt.

Approval Rating

A poll measuring how Americans feel about the president's job performance.

Honeymoon Period

The period early in a presidency when the president generally receives stronger public support.

Rally Around the Flag Effect

An increase in public support for the president during a national crisis.

How does public opinion affect presidential power?

Strong public support can increase presidential influence; low support can limit it.

DACA

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama-era program allowing certain undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to seek deferred deportation.

How did Obama use executive power with DACA?

He used executive action to establish a program without passing a new law through Congress.

How did the Trump administration respond to DACA?

It attempted to rescind the program.

Why do crises increase presidential power?

The public expects quick action, and one president can respond faster than Congress.

War on Terror

The U.S. campaign against terrorism that expanded presidential military and national security authority.

How did George W. Bush use executive orders after 9/11?

Called the Ready Reserve to active duty, seized financial assets, blocked financial transactions, and created the Office of Homeland Security.

Yaser Hamdi

An American citizen accused of aiding the Taliban who was held as an enemy combatant.

Enemy Combatant

A person classified as participating in hostile actions who may be detained under wartime authority.

Why was Yaser Hamdi's detention controversial?

He was held without an attorney or the ability to challenge his detention.

Anwar al-Awlaki

An American citizen targeted in a drone strike during the Obama administration.

What is the main constitutional debate of the War on Terror?

Balancing presidential national security powers with individual constitutional rights.

How did the Supreme Court limit presidential power in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld?

It ruled that a state of war does not give the president unlimited authority over citizens' rights.

What is the main paradox of the presidency?

The president is expected to be strong and decisive but is also limited by the Constitution and other branches.