Government - Unit 4

What is the function of the executive branch?

to execute or enforce laws

Which Article provides for the executive branch?

Article II

Who is the head of the executive branch?

the President

Describe the process of the electoral college

1. a popular election is held to determine the slate of electors

2. electors go to state capitols to vote

What does the 23rd Amendment guarantee?

that Washington, D.C gets to have 3 electors in the electoral college

How many states have the winner-takes-all system?

48

(Nebraska and Maine don’t do that)

What amendment establishes succession?

25th

List the order of succession

Vice President

Speaker of the House

President pro tempore

Secretary of State

Rest of cabinet in order of creation

List the diplomatic powers that the president has

• exercise diplomatic recognition

• form alliances

• establish trade relationships

• make executive agreements

• foreign policy leader

• chief of state

• negotiate treaties/agreements

List the military powers that the president has

• commander-in-chief

• ensure defense & security of nation

• take military action

• consult with Congress on armed action

• negotiate treaties

What is the annual salary of those in the executive branch?

$400,000 (must pay income tax)

What are the legislative powers of the executive branch?

1. State of the Union Address

   (set President agenda & convince Congress to help President achieve his goals)

2. Federal budget

3. President proposes legislation

4. Veto power

5. Line-item veto

   (declared unconstitutional in 1998; veto certain line in the bill)

What are the judicial powers of the executive branch?

1. Nominate federal judges

   (Senate ratifies)

2. Grant reprieves, amnesty, and pardons

   (cannot be used on state laws or impeachment)

What are the informal powers of the executive branch?

1. Use media to persuade public opinion

   (face of the nation; gain support by putting pressure on Congress)

2. Support of party members

What are the 5 checks on executive powers?

1. Judicial review

2. Congressional override of a presidential veto

3. Senate can refuse to confirm appointments

4. Media reports abuse

5. Public approval translates to influence on Congress

Who makes up the executive branch?

• President

• Vice President

• Executive Office of the President (EOP)

• Federal Bureaucracy

What makes up the federal bureaucracy?

• Cabinet

• Independent agencies

• Regulatory commissions

• Government corporations

What makes up the EOP?

• White House Office

• National Security Council (NSC)

• Council of Economic Advisors

• Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

What is legal cousel?

ensures that the President’s execution of laws is legal

What does the press secretary do?

manages press & communications

What do legislative assistants do?

helps the President with Congress & legislative matters

Describe the National Security Council (NSC)

• Coordinate national security

• Brings together military, foreign affairs, and intelligence officials

• managed by the National Security Advisor

How many departments does the Cabinet have?

15

What is the definition of government corporations?

businesses run by the government

(post offices, TVA, FDIC, USPS, Amtrak)

What is the definition for the Cabinet?

executive departments responsible for carrying out laws and administering programs & regulations

Who created the Cabinet?

Washington - he only had 4

What is the spoils system?

the president gives jobs/government positions to those who support him

What did the Pendleton Act do?

got rid of the spoils system; jobs given on the basis of open examination & merit

What are the advantages to the Civil Service System?

• competitive salaries

• good benefits

• job security

What are the disadvantages to the Civil Service System?

difficult to get rid of incompetent/inefficient employees

What is the definition for independent agencies?

agencies that operate separately from the cabinets or any executive departments

Who appoints the head of the independent agencies?

president

What is the goal of independent agencies?

perform services for the executive branch - Ex:

• General Services Administration (GSA) constructs and maintains government buildings

• National Archives

• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

• EPA

• NASA

• Civil Rights Administration

• Small Business Administration

What is proportional tax?

tax that is applied at the same rate against all income (all people pay the same amount of tax)

What is flat tax?

the same as proportional tax

What is payroll tax?

money withheld for social insurance = Social Security, Medicare, etc.

What is regressive tax?

tax that has a higher impact on lower-income earners than higher-income earners

What is income tax?

tax on your income

What is progressive tax?

the more you make, the higher the rate of your tax is

Which amendment establishes income tax?

16th

What is a reprieve?

post-pones the carrying out of a sentence

What is a pardon?

releases a convicted criminal from having to fulfill a sentence

What is amnesty?

grants a group of offenders a general pardon for offenses committed

What are executive orders?

formal rule/regulation instructing executive branch officials on how to carry out their jobs

What is diplomatic recognition?

formally recognize the legitimacy of a foreign government using ambassadors

What does bipartisan mean?

include members from both major political parties

What are government corporations?

organized and run like businesses but are owned in whole or in part by the government

When is the fiscal year?

October 1-September 30

What is the budget process?

1. President & OMB prepares a budget

2. Present it to Congress by the 1st Monday in February

3. Congress must pass appropriations bill

What is deficit spending?

spending more than you are making/have

What is a balanced budget?

revenue = spending

Why is a balanced budget dangerous?

the government can’t do anything in the case of a crisis

List the other types of taxes

- sales tax (7%)

- property tax

- gas tax (20-some cents/gal)

- tolls

- car registration

- gift (if it is < $17,000, must pay tax on it)

- estate (inherit assets)

- tariffs

What is public policy?

the choices that the government makes and the actions it takes in response to a particular issue

What are the VP’s Constitutional Duties?

- help the president make policy & carry out agendas

- handle special assignments from the president

- succession

- leads the Senate

What are the qualifications for the President?

- natural-born citizen

- 35-years-old

- resident of the US for 14 years

How long is a presidential term?

4 years

(has potential to be up to 10)

What does the 22nd Amendment establish?

A president can serve a maximum of 2 terms

When a presidential disability occurs, what happens?

The president must inform Congress, and then the VP will take over until Congress confirms that the President is okay to take back office

What does federal bureaucracy mean?

What is an IRON Triangle?

cooperation between agencies, congressional committees, and client groups

—> Gov. Agencies —> Client Groups —> Congressional Committees .

Who is included in the White House office?

- chief-of-staff

- legal counsel

- press secretary

- legislative assistants

What is the role of the chief-of-staff?

filter to the President

manages staff

ensures that the President’s agenda is being carried out

closest advisor

What is the role of the legal counsel?

ensures President’s execution of laws is legal

What is the role of the press secreatry?

manages press & communication

What is the role of the legislative assistants?

helps the President with Congress & legislative matters

What is the role of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)?

- develop federal budget

- management of government finances

What is the role of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)?

- analysis of economy, trends, and impact of events on economic policy

- 3 members confirmed by the Senate

- Prepare the annual Economic Report

What are the executive powers?

- executive orders

- appointment and removal powers

- executive privilege