Studied by 123 people
Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
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?
State of the Union Address
(set President agenda & convince Congress to help President achieve his goals)
Federal budget
President proposes legislation
Veto power
Line-item veto
(declared unconstitutional in 1998; veto certain line in the bill)
What are the judicial powers of the executive branch?
Nominate federal judges
(Senate ratifies)
Grant reprieves, amnesty, and pardons
(cannot be used on state laws or impeachment)
What are the informal powers of the executive branch?
Use media to persuade public opinion
(face of the nation; gain support by putting pressure on Congress)
Support of party members
What are the 5 checks on executive powers?
Judicial review
Congressional override of a presidential veto
Senate can refuse to confirm appointments
Media reports abuse
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?
President & OMB prepares a budget
Present it to Congress by the 1st Monday in February
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
Note
Flashcard