American Government (PRESIDENCY) Pt. 1 & 2

What is Article II of the U.S. Constitution about?

The executive branch and the powers and responsibilities of the president.

How long is a U.S. president's term?

Four years.

What does the 22nd Amendment do?

It limits a person to being elected president twice. If someone serves more than two years of another president's term, they may be elected only once.

What are the constitutional qualifications to be president? At least 35 years old, a natural-born U.S. citizen, and a U.S. resident for at least 14 years.

What is the Electoral College?

The system used to formally elect the U.S. president and vice president through electors chosen by the states.

Why was the Electoral College created?

It was a constitutional compromise for choosing the president that combines state-based representation with the popular vote process.

Who chooses presidential electors?

Each state selects its electors according to its laws.

What is a natural-born U.S. citizen?

A person who is a U.S. citizen at birth.

What is naturalization?

The legal process through which someone who was not a U.S. citizen at birth becomes a U.S. citizen.

What does the 25th Amendment address?

Presidential succession, presidential inability to perform the job, and filling a vice-presidential vacancy.

What does Section 4 of the 25th Amendment allow?

The vice president and a majority of principal executive department officers can declare the president unable to perform the duties, making the vice president Acting President. The president can contest the declaration.

What is the Presidential Succession Act of 1947?

A law establishing the line of succession after the vice president: Speaker of the House, president pro tempore of the Senate, then Cabinet secretaries in statutory order.

What is a designated survivor?

A Cabinet member or other eligible official kept at a secure, separate location during major events so someone can maintain continuity of government if a disaster kills those present.

What is a reprieve?

A temporary delay of a sentence or punishment.

What is a presidential pardon?

Forgiveness for a federal offense that relieves penalties; it does not technically erase the conviction.

What is the Take Care Clause?

The constitutional requirement that the president faithfully execute the laws.

What does the president do as Head of State?

Serves as the symbolic and ceremonial representative of the nation.

What does the president do as Chief Executive?

Oversees the executive branch and carries out federal laws.

What does the president do as Chief Legislator?

Influences the legislative agenda by recommending policies and signing or vetoing bills.

What does the president do as Commander in Chief?

Serves as civilian leader of the U.S. armed forces.

What does the president do as Chief Diplomat?

Directs major aspects of U.S. foreign relations and represents the country internationally.

What does the president do as party leader?

Acts as a prominent leader and spokesperson for their political party.

What is the State of the Union address?

An address to Congress about the condition of the country and the president's priorities. The Constitution requires the president to report periodically; an annual address is a tradition.

What are expressed powers?

Powers explicitly written in the Constitution.

What are inherent powers?

Powers understood to arise from the nature of the executive role, rather than being listed word-for-word in the Constitution.

What are statutory powers?

Powers delegated to the executive branch by laws passed by Congress.

What is the War Powers Resolution of 1973?

A law intended to limit and oversee presidential use of U.S. armed forces; in covered circumstances, it requires the president to report to Congress within 48 hours.

Who has the constitutional power to declare war?

Congress.

What is the unitary executive theory?

The view that the president has broad, exclusive control over the executive branch.

What is meant by the term "imperial presidency"?

A term used to describe concerns that presidential power has grown so much that checks and oversight by other branches are weakened.

Who popularized the term "imperial presidency" in a well-known book?

Historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

What factors have contributed to the expansion of presidential power?

Congressional delegation, growth of the federal bureaucracy, war and national security, crises, and the president's public role.

What are checks on presidential power?

Constitutional and political limits, including congressional oversight and legislation, judicial review, elections, and other constitutional checks.

Who were the two Catholic presidents elected in U.S. history as covered in the course notes?

John F. Kennedy, elected in 1960, and Joe Biden, elected in 2020.