AP Gov - Unit 8

President Info & Questions

• Qualifications:

  • Age: 35

  • Citizenship: natural-born citizen of US

  • Residency: Resident for 14 yrs

• How long they can serve for?

  • Term limit: 2

  • Amendment associated: 22nd Amendment

• What article from the Constitution gives power to President?

  • Article II grants executive power to the President.

• Formal Powers of Presidency:

  • Commander in Chief - Lead U.S. military forces

  • Veto Power: Can reject bills passed by Congress

  • Pardons and Reprieves: Grants pardons for federal crimes (not impeachment)

  • Treaty Making: Negotiate treaties with other nations (senate approval)

  • State of the Union Address: Deliver an annual message to Congress on nation’s condition and legislative agenda

  • Ensure laws are Executed: Responsible for enforcing federal laws

• Informal Powers of Presidency:

  • Executive Orders: Used to manage the federal Government or influence policy.

  • Executive Privilege: Has the right to not give information about things to Congress and Government (Privilege of being president)

  • Bargaining & Persuasion: Ability to influence lawmakers, party leaders, and the public to support agenda.

• How does the President use his power?

  • Executive Powers:

    • It comes from the Constitution

    • Enforcing Laws - Ensures laws are carried out by overseeing agencies

    • Executive Orders - issues directives that have the force of law

    • Appointing Officials - Nominates federal judges, cabinet members, and officials

  • Legislative Powers:

    • Veto Power

    • Executive Agreements

    • State of the Union Address - recommend policies to Congress

  • Judicial Powers:

    • Granting pardons

  • Informal Powers:

    • Bully Pulpit - Use speeches and media to influence public opinion and push policies.

Vice President Info

• How long does can a Vice President serve if he succeeds to presidency

  • Term Limit: 2 full terms

  • Amendment: 22nd Amendment

• According to the Constitution, what role does the vice president play?

  • President of Senate: Only votes to break ties (Article I, Section 3).

  • Presidential Succession: Becomes President if the office is vacated

• What activities does the VP participate in while in office?

  • Legislative Role - Presides over the Senate and breaks tie votes

  • Advising President - Provides input on policies and national issues

  • Diplomatic Duties - Represents the U.S. in foreign visits and meetings

  • Public Engagement - Speaks on behalf of the administration and promotes policies

  • Task Force - leads special projects assigned by President

• Why was the Electoral College created?

  • Balance between large and smalls states: Ensuring that smaller states still had a say in presidential elections, prevent large states from dominating

  • Limit Direct Democracy: Founders of constitution were worried of direct popular vote, fearing uninformed decision-making occurring, so EC is a buffer.

  • Preserving Federalism: Role of states in the fed govt by giving them a structured way to participate in selecting the president.

Other Questions

• Describe the following types of Vetos:

  • Regular: Presidents power to reject a bill passed by Congress

  • Line-time Veto: Allows president to reject specific parts of a bill. Intended to help control government spending by allowing removal of unnecessary provisions.

    • How it benefits the President: Control Spending, Increased Executive Power, Faster Decision-Making

      • Though it was ruled unconstitutional so they cant use anymore.

  • Pocket Veto:

    • When president takes no action on a bill and Congress adjourns within 10 days,

    • Preventing it from becoming a law.

    • Congress cant override it

• How can Congress put a legislation through if it was already vetoed?

  • Using two-third majority vote in both House of Reps and Senate

    • Serves as a check on presidential power

  • Not very likely, approximately 4.3%

• Who chooses the Presidents Cabinet?

  • President chooses the Cabinet members, but must be approved by Senate

• Process:

  • Nomination - President selects candidates

  • Senate Confirmation - Senate hold hearings and votes to approve or reject candidate

  • Appointment - If approved, they become a part of Cabinet

What power does the cabinet have over the president?

• Advisory Role - Provide assistance and recommendations on national administration

• 25th Amendment Authority - VP and Cabinet can declare the President unable to perform duties, transferring power to VP.

• What is the OMB?

  • OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET

  • helps manage government’s budget and policies

  • Ensures agencies follow the presidents policies and use funds efficiently

  • Review regulations to align with administration goals

  • Analyze the costs and impacts of proposed laws

• How can President be removed from Office?

  • Role of the House - Initiate Impeachment -

    • vote on articles of impeachment and investigate

    • Majority vote needed (50%) to impeach

  • Role of the Senate -

    • Hold trial with Senators as jurors

    • Two - thirds (67 votes) required to convict and remove President

  • Role of the Judicial Branch

    • 25th Amendment

      • VP and Cabinet declare the president unable to serve

      • If president disputes, Congress decides requiring 2/3 vote in both cambers

• Examples of Executive Privelage?

  • George Washington - Refused to provide documents related with Jay Treaty

    • Argued diplomatic matters required confidentiality

  • Eisenhower - Used to prevent Pentagon officials from testifying in Senator Joesph McCarthy’s anti-communist hearings

  • Nixon - Watergate Scandal, stop Congress from rearing record tapes

• What powers does the President have in regards to foreign policy?

  • Formal:

    • Commander in Chief

    • Make Treaties

    • Appoint Ambassadors

    • Receive Foreign Diplomats

  • Informal:

    • Crisis Manager

    • Influence Public Opinion

    • Cover Operations & intelligence

    • Economic Sanctions & Aid

War Powers Resolution (1973)

The War Powers Resolution (also called the War Powers Act) is a federal law that limits the President’s ability to send U.S. military forces into combat without Congressional approval.

How It Checks the President’s Power:

1. 48-Hour Notification – The President must inform Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops.

2. 60-Day Limit – Troops cannot remain in combat for more than 60 days without congressional approval.

3. 30-Day Withdrawal – If Congress does not authorize continued military action, the President must withdraw forces within 30 days.

Purpose:

• Prevents unchecked presidential military action.

• Reinforces Congress’s constitutional power to declare war (Article I, Section 8).

• Passed in response to Vietnam War concerns over prolonged military involvement without a formal war declaration.