Structure of the Executive Branch
What is the highest office in the executive branch at the national level?
BONUS POINTS: highest office at state level
President (national), Governor (state)
What are the three branches of government?
Executive, legislative, and judicial
Name some examples of administrative agencies.
NASA, FBI, CIA, EPA.
What is one power given specifically to the President?
Answers could be: Sign or veto legislation, sign executive orders, Commander in Chief of nation's military, head of government, head of political party.
Why did the Founding Fathers create the Electoral College?
To balance small states vs. big states, to balance democracy with aristocracy.
Name the different parts of the executive branch at the federal level (4 parts).
President, Vice President, Cabinet, Administrative Agencies.
Which Article of the Constitution can you look to in order to find information about the executive branch?
Article II
President appoints, Senate votes on whether or not to approve.
How long can a President serve for?
2 terms of 4 years; President is elected for 4 years at a time.
What amendment changed the Electoral College so we elect both the President and Vice President on the same ticket?
12th Amendment
Who assists the President in making decisions?
Cabinet
What is the main function of the executive branch?
ENFORCE laws
What does the word "veto" mean?
When the President rejects a bill.
What can the President sign to ensure a law is faithfully executed?
Executive order
What does "winner take all" mean in the case of the electoral college?
Whoever wins the vote in each state wins all the electoral votes for that state
(example: Florida results- Trump 55%, Harris 42%, Trump therefore wins ALL 30 electoral votes from Florida)
What is the main responsibility of the President?
Enforce laws (sign them or veto them)
Name the leader of the executive branch at the national, state, and local level.
- National: President
- State: Governor
- Local: Mayor
Who has to pass a law in order for the President to sign it?
Senate and House of Representatives, Congress, legislative branch.
What is the President's role as commander in chief?
Commands nation's armed forces/military
How many electors do you need to win in order to win the Electoral College and therefore the Presidency?
270
Name at least three different Cabinet departments.
Answers could include: State, Defense, Agriculture, Energy, Education, Homeland Security, Interior, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, Veterans Affairs.
What does the President need in order to make a treaty with another country?
Senate approval
Name a CHECK OR BALANCE that the executive branch has over the legislative branch. Name one they have over the Judicial Branch.
- Legislative: can veto legislation
- Judicial: can appoint judges to the court
Name two of the powers of the President.
Sign or veto legislation, sign executive orders, Commander in Chief of nation's military, head of government, head of political party.
True or False: Usually the winner of the popular vote wins the electoral college. However, sometimes (as in 2000 or 2016), the winner of the electoral college does not win most of the votes but still wins the presidency.
TRUE