US Gov. Unit 4

Each state is given 1 electoral vote for every senator (2) and representative (at least 1) from that state

Should none of the candidates win 270 electoral votes, the 12th amendment kicks in and the election is decided by the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives writes bills for raising revenue through taxes and other methods

The constitution grants the president the power to make treaties and appoint ambassadors

Executive agreements don’t require Senate ratification

US Domestic Policy: administrative decisions and activity within a nation’s border

→ main goals:

  • maintain social order by outlawing behaviors/actions that endanger the public
  • ensure the fair provisions of taxpayer-supported government benefits, goods, and services to all
  • equitable sharing of the nation’s wealth
  • create government agencies to help provide services to the public

US Foreign Policy: country’s actions, words, beliefs, toward/about other countries

→ main goals:

  • protect America and Americans
  • support economic growth and human rights around the world
  • increase support for American values like democracy and freedom

→ Executive order process: a presidential executive order (EO) is a directive issued to federal agencies, department heads, or other federal employees by the President of the United States under his statutory or constitutional powers

→ Veto process: when presented with legislation passed by both houses of Congress, the President may sign it into law within the 10-day period prescribed in the Constitution, let it become law without his signature, or issue a regular or “pocket” veto

→ Appointment process: the Constitution appears to distinguish three stages in appointments by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The first is the “nomination” of the candidate by the President alone, the second is the assent of the Senate to the candidate’s “appointment”, and the third is the final appointment and commissioning of the appointee, by the president

Departments:

  • State: responsible for maintaining the relationships the U.S. has with other countries (foreign affairs)
  • Treasury: makes the money, tries to help the economy, and collect taxes
  • Defense: includes all parts of the U.S. military, and its mission is to protect the U.S. around the world
  • Justice: works to enforce federal laws, prevent crime, and punish criminals
  • Interior: responsible for the management and conservation of most federal land, wildlife, and natural resources
  • Agriculture: supports farmers, makes sure our food is safe, and gives recommendations about good nutrition
  • Commerce: creates the conditions for economic growth and opportunity and is the voice of business; it is responsible for all copyrights, patents, and trademarks and plays a major role in federal government matters related to oceans, weather, and technology
  • Labor: supports workers to provide more opportunity, protect rights, wages, and improve working conditions
  • Health & Human Services: works to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Americans
  • Housing & Urban Development: supports strong communities and quality and affordable housing for every American; helps the homeless and low income
  • Transportation: responsible for federal highways and driver safety; including transportation of people and goods by car, plane, train, and ship
  • Energy: uses science and technology to address energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges
  • Education: provides funding to schools and helps pay for college
  • Veterans Affairs: provides patient care and federal benefits to military veterans
  • Homeland Security: works to protect the country against terrorism and makes sure the borders are safe; provides help in natural disasters

Presidential responsibilities: serves as commander-in-chief of armed forces and has the power to grant pardons in all federal cases, except those of impeachment

Presidential requirements: at least 35 years old, natural born US citizen, and resident of the US for the past 14 years

Independent regulatory agencies:

  1. Social Security Administration (SSA): the purpose is to provide financial security for the elderly
  2. Federal Communications Commission (FCC): was created to regulate the airways that are used to broadcast radio and TV programs
  3. Federal Trade Commission (FTC): was created to ensure fair trade and business practices on the part of companies and corporations
  4. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): the purpose is to protect American health by protecting our natural resources