Chapter 5 - AP GOV (Executive +POTUS)

Requirements for POTUS

Natural born citizen, at least 35 years old, 14 years of residency in the US.

Chief Executive

Oversees a large system of agencies and bureaucracies. Appoints cabinet heads and judicial judges.

Chief Diplomat

Guides US foreign policy and interacts with the heads of other nations. Can make treaties, appoint ambassadors, and receive ambassadors.

Chief Legislator

Art. 2 Section 3 states the President from time to time must give Congress info about the state of the union. Modern day Presidents do this through a stream that anyone can watch called the State of the Union Address.

Commander in Chief

Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the US and the militia of several states. Head of the military chain of command, can declare war when Congress is not in session.

Presidential Pardon

the ability to release individuals convicted of a crime from legal consequences and punishment. Does not apply to cases of impeachment

Executive Privilege

the right to keep information hidden from the public, Congress, and the Judiciary

Executive Agreement

An agreement between a president and another nation that doesn't have the same durability as a treaty but can go without Senate approval/ratification

Signing Statement

Written comments issued by Presidents while signing a bill into law. They could be political statements, reasonings, or even interpretations of the law

War Powers Act of 1973

Gave any president the power to go to war under certain circumstances, but required that he could only do so for 90 days (60 days with +30 if necessary) before being required to officially bring the matter before Congress.

Impeachment Process and Why

Congress has the ability to impeach the POTUS, VP, and all civil officers of the US for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." A majority in the House is required to pass articles of impeachment which is a list of charges against the officeholder. The process is held in the Senate, 2/3's needed for conviction.

Checks and Balances on Executive: Judiciary Branch

Overturn executive actions, court challenges on executive actions which may delay the decision/action,

12th Amendment

The Twelfth Amendment stipulates that each elector must cast distinct votes for president and vice president, instead of two votes for president.

25th Amendment

Section 1: In case of a president's death, impairment, resignation, or impeachment, the VP assumes office

Section 2: The VP takes office temporarily when the President voluntarily removes himself from office

Section 3 and 4: Permanent replacement of a President, President nominates a replacement if approval is required from both a majority vote from both Houses of Congress.

EOP (Executive Office of the President)

name for the group of agencies, councils, and staff members which advise the president and help run the federal bureaucracy-was established by an executive order from FDR

Chief of the Party

Established what party POTUS unofficially leads or strongly supports. Affects their decisions made regarding their own and other parties.

Bully Pulpit

the president's use of their public image to sway the public which pressures other branches of government

Going Public

POTUS directly reaches the American people who pressure their representatives and senators to press for a president's policy goals

Effect of positive opinion ratings on POTUS

More power in Congress, allows for their policies to pass much more easily