Executive Branch Review
President
1. Qualifications to be President
- Must be a natural-born citizen of the U.S.
- At least 35 years old
- Resident in the U.S. for at least 14 years
2. Impeachment Process
- House of Representatives votes to impeach (simple majority)
- Senate holds a trial and votes to convict (two-thirds majority required)
3. 20th, 22nd, 25th Amendments
- 20th: Changes inauguration date to January 20th
- 22nd: Limits the president to two terms
- 25th: Addresses presidential succession and disability
4. Two Oldest Departments
- Department of State (1789)
- Department of the Treasury (1789)
5. Title of the Leader of the Department of Justice
- Attorney General
6. How Presidents Control the Bureaucracy
- Appointing agency heads
- Issuing executive orders
- Proposing budgets
7. Role of the National Security Council (NSC)
- Advise the President on national security and foreign policies
8. War Powers Resolution
- Limits the President's ability to send troops into combat without Congressional approval (60 days)
9. Executive Agreements and Executive Orders
- Executive Agreements: International agreements made by the President without Senate approval
- Executive Orders: Directives issued by the President to manage the federal government
10. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
- Assists the President in preparing the federal budget and supervising its administration
11. Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)
- Provides economic advice to the President
12. Mandatory vs Discretionary Spending
- Mandatory: Required by law (e.g., Social Security, Medicare)
- Discretionary: Subject to annual appropriation (e.g., defense, education)
13. Pocket Veto
- When the President does not sign a bill within 10 days and Congress is adjourned, the bill does not become law
14. Role of the First Lady
- Varies by individual; often focuses on social issues and public advocacy
15. Presidential Roles
- Chief Executive: Administering the laws, appointing officials
- Chief Legislator: Recommending legislation, vetoing bills
- Chief Diplomat: Negotiating treaties, meeting with foreign leaders
- Commander in Chief: Leading the military
- Chief of Party: Supporting party candidates
- Chief Magistrate: Pardoning federal crimes
- Chief Citizen: Representing the people
- Chief Administrator: Managing the executive branch
- Chief of State: Ceremonial head of the country
Bureaucracy
16. What is the Bureaucracy and Its Main Role
- A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials. Main role: implement and administer laws and policies.
17. Benefits of the Bureaucracy
- Efficiency in managing large-scale operations
- Expertise and specialization
- Continuity and stability
18. Criticisms of the Bureaucracy
- Red tape and inefficiency
- Lack of accountability
- Resistance to change
19. Spoils System vs Merit System
- Spoils System: Jobs given based on political loyalty
- Merit System: Jobs awarded based on qualifications and performance
20. Pendleton Act
- Established the Civil Service Commission and marked the beginning of the merit system
21. Number of Cabinet Positions
- 15
22. Types of Bureaucratic Agencies
- Independent Executive Agencies: NASA, EPA
- Independent Regulatory Agencies: SEC, FCC
- Government Corporations: USPS, Amtrak
23. What is a Bureaucrat and What Do They Do
- Bureaucrats are government officials who implement and administer laws and policies.
24. Growth of the Bureaucracy in the Last 100 Years
- Increased complexity of society and government functions
- Expansion of federal programs and services
25. How Congress Influences the Bureaucracy
- Appropriations and budget control
- Oversight and investigations
- Legislation affecting agency operations
26. Iron Triangle
- A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group
27. White House Office
- Presidential staff who oversee the policy interests of the president
28. Issue Network
- An alliance of various interest groups and individuals who unite to promote a single issue
29. Quasi-Legislative vs Quasi-Judicial Powers
- Quasi-Legislative: Agencies create regulations (e.g., FCC regulations)
- Quasi-Judicial: Agencies adjudicate disputes (e.g., SEC enforcement actions)
30. Control of the Bureaucracy by Each Branch
- Legislative: Budgeting, oversight, and laws
- Executive: Appointments, executive orders, and reorganizations
- Judicial: Judicial review of agency actions
Executive Branch Study Guide
1. War Powers Act of 1973
- Limits the president's ability to send troops into combat without Congressional approval.
2. Line-Item Veto
- Advocates argue it would enhance a president’s ability to reduce spending and eliminate unnecessary expenditures from bills.
3. Selecting White House Staff
- Presidents prioritize loyalty, expertise, and the ability to work well under pressure.
4. Executive Agreement
- An agreement between the president and another head of state that doesn’t require Senate approval.
5. Selecting a VP
- Nominees often choose a running mate who can balance the ticket, appeal to different voter demographics, and bring complementary skills.
6. Office of Budget and Management (OBM)
- Responsible for preparing the federal budget and overseeing its implementation.
7. Electoral College Votes
- Each state gets a number of electoral votes equal to its total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress.
8. Swing States
- States where both major political parties have similar levels of support. They can determine the outcome of an election.
9. Electoral College - Best Argument For
- Preserves federalism and ensures representation of smaller states.
10. Electoral College - Best Argument Against
- The risk of "faithless electors" who don't vote according to their state's popular vote.
11. Presidential Actions Requiring Senate Approval
- Treaties, Supreme Court appointments, and high-level federal appointments.
12. Criticism of Circular White House Model
- Can lead to confusion and inefficiency due to overlapping responsibilities.
13. Appointed Officials Not Needing Senate Approval
- Senior White House staff and some special advisors.
14. Divided Government
- When the presidency and one or both houses of Congress are controlled by different parties.
15. Congressional Approval of Policies
- More likely during periods of unified government or with bipartisan support.
16. Electoral College and Popular Vote
- No, a candidate can win the presidency without winning the popular vote.
17. Qualifications to Become President
- Natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years.
18. Presidential Powers Without Congressional Check
- Executive orders, executive agreements, and military decisions within limits.
19. Campaign Strategies
- Fundraising, advertising, debates, and targeting swing states.
20. Legislative Leadership Challenges
- Political opposition, complex legislation, and differing priorities.
21. Top-Level Position Qualification
- Experience, expertise, and political alignment with the president.
22. Executive Agreements
- Evidence of the president’s ability to conduct foreign affairs independently.
23. 25th Amendment
- Addresses presidential succession and disability.
24. Executive Orders for Policy
- When immediate action is needed or legislative gridlock prevents action.
25. Presidential Roles
- Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, Chief Diplomat, and more.
26. Signing Statements vs. Veto
- Used to express concerns without rejecting the bill entirely.
27. Checks on Federal Bureaucracy
- Congressional oversight, judicial review, and executive control.
28. Spoils System
- Appointments based on political loyalty rather than merit.
29. Cabinet Department with Most Employees
- The Department of Defense.
30. Iron Triangle
- The relationship between Congress, federal agencies, and interest groups.
31. Congressional Oversight of Bureaucracy
- Hearings, investigations, and budget control.
32. Government Corporations Examples
- U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak.
33. Hatch Act
- Prohibits federal employees from engaging in certain political activities.
34. Federal Bureaucracy vs. Other Bureaucracies
- More transparent, diverse, and operates under stricter regulations.
35. Bureaucratic Power Source
- Expertise, administrative discretion, and implementing laws.
36. Cabinet Influence on Decisions
- Limited by the president’s reliance on inner-circle advisors.
37. Federal Bureaucracy Characteristics
- Hierarchical structure, specialized functions, and adherence to rules.
38. Red Tape
- Excessive bureaucratic regulations and procedures.
39. Newest Cabinet Department (2002)
- Department of Homeland Security.
40. Independent Agencies Examples
- CIA, NASA, EPA.
41. Power to Create, Organize, Disband Agencies
- Congress has this authority.
42. Federal Bureaucracy Employment
- Most civil servants are hired based on merit through competitive exams.