Political Science Ch12, Ch11, Ch14

What are some powers of the U.S. president and its limitations?

Powers:

• Domestic policy (roads,education, employment, taxation, environment, social)

• Foreign policy (war, establishing relations with other rulers/presidents, imports & exports, sanctions, global economy, financial aid)

• Executive orders

Limits:

• Checks & balances, federalism, Threat of impeachment, media watchdogs, exective orders halted by courts

How many levels in the U.S federal court system?

3 Levels: District courts, court of appeals, Supreme court

How many circuits are there in the U.S?

13

What circuit is califonia in its jurisdiction?

9th

How many supreme court justices are needed for judical review + accept a case?

• 5/9 Judicial review/Majority decision

• 4/9 to accept the case (rule of four)

Which branch of government has the power to declare war?

Congress but president can have power to deploy military operation

In contemporary USA, does the president have more or less power?

More because of Executive orders (ex. JFK)

• Congress has’t officially declared war since WW2

What is the party composition in the current US senate?

53 Republican, 45 Democrats, 2 Independents

Who has majority in the house currently?

Republicans

The committee system in congress allows for…?

Specializations (ex. agriculture, technology, anti-communist party)

_______ is the concept that representatives reflect (or mirror) the demographic makeup of their constituents.

Descriptive Representation

How are supreme court justices appointed?

President nominates + senate approval

How long do supreme court justices serve for?

Serve for life

What is the group or org. that is formed to raise money to elect or defeat a candidate?

PAC (Political Action Committee)

What was the meaning behind trump quoting, “He who saves his country does not violate any law.”?

Trump is trying to justify his actions and power to explore his presidential power.

What does the candidate have to win in order to become president? How many votes?

Electoral College + 270 votes

The bicameral congress was designed to ____ power.

Divide (checks and balances)

Electoral College

System to elect the president: 538 electors (House + Senate + 3 for D.C.).

Each state’s electors = its congressional delegation. Winner-takes-all in most states (except Maine, Nebraska).

270 votes needed to win

Founders’ Conception of the Presidency

Framers wanted a strong executive but limited by checks and balances (Congress, courts) and federalism (state power).

Avoided monarchy-like power; balanced authority with accountability.

Many Roles of the President

Head of State (ceremonial), Commander-in-Chief (military), Legislator (veto, proposes laws), Manager of Economy, Chief Diplomat (foreign policy), Party Head, “Salesperson-in-Chief” (promotes policies)

The President and Congress

President can veto bills or use pocket veto (ignore for 10 days if Congress adjourns).

Congress allocates funds; president requests budgets but can’t dictate spending alone.

The President and the Supreme Court

Nominates justices (Senate confirms).

Executive orders can be challenged in court (e.g., overturned by judicial review).

2024 election

trump is trying to max his power as president, believes that the position gives him personal power, he has passed 70 executive orders, 26 in first day. trump believes that he can withhold money that congress allocates, creating chaos in his system, showing off power, more power president takes, weaker our institutions are.

Executive Orders

• Presidential directives with force of law, bypassing congress

• can be overturned by courts or next president

Impeachment

Process: House impeaches (majority vote), Senate tries (2/3 vote to convict).

Grounds: “Treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Congressional Power and Limits

Powers: Lawmaking, budgeting, taxation, declaring war, impeachment.

Limits: Presidential veto, judicial review, Bill of Rights, no titles of nobility.

Bicameral Structure: Senate and House

House: 435 members, based on population, 2-year terms.

Senate: 100 members (2 per state), 6-year terms, 1/3 elected every 2 years

Descriptive Representation

Congress reflecting society’s demographics. (its lacking but improving (119th congress: 26% minority))

Substantive Representation

the degree to which a representatives reflects the preferences of their constituents.

Electoral Districts

House districts based on population, redrawn every 10 years after census.

Redistricting and Gerrymandering

Redistricting: Adjusting district boundaries.

Gerrymandering: Manipulating boundaries for partisan advantage.

Campaign Finance

Heavy spending on ads, travel, events. Corporations (e.g., agriculture) donate millions for influence

Filibuster

Senate tactic: Unlimited debate to delay a vote; ended by cloture (60 votes).

PACs (Political Action Committees)

Groups raising/donating money to campaigns, often tied to specific interests

Citizens United

2010 Supreme Court ruling: No limits on corporate/union campaign spending (free speech).

Congressional Committees and Subcommittees

Handle specific issues (e.g., Agricultural Subcommittee). Influence from donors (e.g., tobacco, dairy).

How a bill becomes a law

drafted > gets sponsored > committee action > floor debate and voting > other chamber (house or senate) > conference committee > presidential action > overriding a veto if possible

2024 Congressional Election

House: Republican majority (216 Dems).

Senate: Republican majority (45 Dems, 53 Reps, 2 Independents leaning Dem).

119th Congress

Most diverse: 26% minority, 13 Black/Hispanic/Native/Asian, 13 LGBTQ; 84% of minorities are Democrats.

U.S. Federal Court System

1. District Courts: 94 trial courts, handle federal cases.

2. Courts of Appeals: 13 circuits, review district court decisions.

3. Supreme Court: Highest court, 9 justices, final say on federal law.

Judicial Review

Power to declare laws/executive actions unconstitutional (established by Marbury v. Madison, 1803).

The Supreme Court in Action (Important Cases)

Citizens United v. FEC (2010): Unlimited campaign spending.

Others (common examples): Brown v. Board (1954, desegregation), Roe v. Wade (1973, abortion—overturned 2022).

Supreme Court as Policy Maker / Political Role

Shapes policy via rulings (e.g., civil rights, healthcare).

Justices’ political leanings influence decisions

Judicial Activism

Judges actively interpret Constitution to address modern issues vs. restraint (strict adherence to original text).