Unit 2 (B) - President and Bureaucracy Study Guide

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25th Amendment

Presidential succession and disability procedures.

22nd Amendment

Two-term limit for presidents.

12th Amendment

Separate electoral votes for President and Vice President.

20th Amendment

Changed inauguration dates, shortened lame duck period. March -> January

US v. Nixon

Supreme Court ruled executive privilege is not absolute; Nixon had to hand over Watergate tapes.

NY v. Clinton

Court struck down the Line Item Veto Act as unconstitutional; President cannot change laws passed by Congress.

Unified Government

Same party controls presidency and Congress.

Divided Government

Opposing parties control presidency and Congress, leading to gridlock.

Pardons

President can forgive federal crimes, restoring rights; a check on judiciary power.

Pendleton Act

Created merit-based civil service system after the spoils system abuses.

Veto

Reject bill.

Sign

Approve a bill.

Not Sign

Becomes law after 10 days if Congress is in session.

Pocket Veto

Bill dies if Congress adjourns.

Override

Requires a 2/3 vote.

Signing Statement

President's interpretation of a bill.

Expansion of the Bureaucracy

Grew with New Deal, Great Society, and modern regulations; agencies handle complex policy areas.

Concurrent Powers

Shared powers include war, appointments, treaties, and budget.

Problems with Bureaucracy

Red tape, inefficiency, duplication, lack of accountability.

Chevron Doctrine

Courts defer to agencies' interpretation of laws if reasonable.

Compliance Monitoring

Agencies ensure organizations follow federal rules; part of regulatory enforcement.

Impeachment

House impeaches (charges); Senate holds trial. Grounds: treason, bribery, high crimes/misdemeanors.

Honeymoon

Early popularity post-election.

Lame Duck

End of term when influence declines.

Patronage/Spoils System

Rewarding supporters with jobs; replaced by merit system after Pendleton Act.

Demographics of the Bureaucracy

More diverse than Congress but still majority white male; heavily educated, stable workforce.

Article II

Defines executive power, commander-in-chief, appointments, treaties, faithfully execute laws.

Presidential Powers

Executive (enforce laws), Legislative (veto, propose bills), Judicial (pardon, appoint judges), Diplomatic/Military (treaties, commander-in-chief).

Bully Pulpit

President's platform to influence public opinion and pressure Congress.

Formal Powers

In Constitution (veto, appoint).

Informal Powers

Not in Constitution (executive orders, agreements, agenda-setting).

Federalist 70

Hamilton argued for a single, energetic executive to ensure accountability and decisive leadership.

Executive Orders

Directives from the president with force of law, used to manage the executive branch.

Imperial Presidency

President acts beyond limits.

Stewardship Theory

President can act unless forbidden by law.

Structures of the White House Staff

Pyramid: clear chain. Circular: open access. Ad-hoc: flexible groups.

Roles of the President

Commander-in-Chief, Chief Executive, Chief Diplomat, Legislative Leader, Party Leader, Head of State, Economic Leader, Communicator in Chief.

Checks on the Bureaucracy

Congress (budget, oversight), courts (judicial review), president (appointments, executive orders).

Presidential Cabinet

Advisors leading executive departments; appointed by president, confirmed by Senate.

Executive Agreement

No Senate approval, faster but less binding.

Treaty

Senate-approved formal pact.

Powers of the Bureaucracy

Rulemaking, discretionary authority, implementing and enforcing laws, advising policymakers.