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Constitutional Stuff
Presidential Powers
Checks and Balances
Vocab
Wildcard
100
List one formal responsibility of the Vice President.
What is succeeding the President of the United States. OR casting the tie-breaking vote in the Senate.
100
List 2 specific presidential powers found in the Constitution.
What are: - Commander in Chief - Sign bills - Veto bills - Issuing pardons - Appoint ambassadors - Negotiate treaties
100
List 2 “political” (non-Constitutional) checks on the president.
Many examples exist: - Public Opinion (polling) - Media Coverage - Scandals - Economic status of nation - Fear of hurting re-election/party
100
This group that advises the President is called the ___________.
Cabinet.
100

In this role, the president carries out the laws passed by Congress.

What is chief executive?

200
This amendment describes what happens if a president dies or becomes unable perform his/her presidential duties.
What is the 25th Amendment?
200

How does a treaty differ from an executive agreement?

Treaty = formal power, must be ratified by 2/3 of the US Senate Executive Agreement = informal power; does not need US Senate's approval; only lasts until the end of a president's term

200
Describe two ways that the Senate checks the president’s power.
1. A simple majority of the Senate must confirm presidential appointments. 2. 2/3 of the Senate must ratify treaties.
200

What is a Lame Duck?

A Lame Duck is a politician who is still in office after losing a reelection.

200
What are signing statements?
When the President adds a comment to legislation that Congress passes; under Reagan/Clinton/Bush/Obama, became a tool for ignoring parts of laws and reinterpreting them (in effect, a line-item veto).
300

List  the 3 constitutional qualifications for becoming president.

What are 1. Natural born citizen, 2. At least 35 years old, and 3. Lived in the US for the last 14 years.

300

The President using media coverage as a means of communicating an agenda to the American people is known as

The Bully Pulpit 

300

How does the Supreme Court Check the President?

The SCOTUS can declare an executive order unconstitutional 

300
For what reasons are Vice Presidents generally chosen?
To balance the Presidential election ticket (politically or geographically - for example, a Northerner choosing a Southern VP candidate).
300
Name two examples of executive orders.
They include: - President Roosevelt creating Japanese internment camps - President Truman desegregating the military - Obama and undocumented immigration - Many others
400

Explain how the 22nd Amendment limits the Presidency.

What is, the 22nd Amendment limits the President to only two terms in office?

400
What is an executive order?
It is a presidential command towards an executive agency or department. The command has the force of the law and does not require congressional approval, though EO's can be challenged in court.
400
Specifically describe the two steps in the presidential impeachment process.
1. The House must vote to impeach with a simple majority (more than 50%) 2. The Senate conducts the trial and can convict an official if more than 2/3 of the Senate agrees.
400

If Congress adjourns during the ten days the president has to consider a bill passed by both houses of Congress, but which the president has not yet signed, what is the result?

What is a pocket veto

400
List two provisions of the War Powers Resolution.
It is a big law, but the answer can include the following: - President can commit troops to another country, but must inform Congress within 48 hours - Forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days, with a further 30 day withdrawal period, without an authorization of the use of military force or a declaration of war.
500

Explain the main thesis of Fed 70

Alexander Hamilton argues for a strong executive leader, as provided for by the Constitution, as opposed to the weak executive under the Articles of Confederation. He asserts, “energy in the executive is the leading character in the definition of good government.

500

Explain what is meant by the Imperial President AND give and example

term used to describe a president as an emperor who acts without consulting Congress or acts in secrecy to evade or deceive congress.

500

What is The right to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security 

What is executive privilege?

500

The president plays the role as symbolic figure head of the U.S.

What is Chief of state?

500

When does Presidential power tend to expand and why?

During wartime - examples include post-9/11 and the Civil War. Presidents assume "emergency" powers during conflicts and do not encounter as much resistance from the public/Congress as they do during peacetime.