Pew Notes: The Executive Branch
1. For choosing a president some wanted a direct election for the Chief
Executive. What were some problems associated with this idea?
2. What does impeachment mean as it relates to the presidency?
3. Why have people demanded that the federal government play a larger role in areas of public concern? What are the major areas of concern? Has the executive branch gotten larger or smaller in response to meeting those public demands?
4. As the result of the emergence of the U.S. as the great superpower after WWII and the developments of the Cold War, how have these events affected the powers of the President in dealing with various foreign crises?
5. What happens to the president’s popularity over time? Why do you
think this happens?
6. Does the president have the line item veto? What did the Supreme
Court say about its legality?
7. How often does the president make a State of the Union Address to Congress?
8. Congress can override a presidential veto with a 2/3 majority in both houses.
9. How is a president removed from office? What does the House do? The Senate?
10. As Commander in Chief, what power does the Chief Executive have in relation to the armed forces? Who is supreme to the President in relation to his/her power with the armed forces?
11. 11.As Chief Diplomat, name his/her 5 powers
12.
12. As chief jurist, name two powers. What does “pardon” mean?
13. 13. As head of the political party, list two responsibilities
14. 14. Describe some features of the White House Office/White House staff.
15.Do appointments to the White House Office, e.g. Chief of Staff, generally require Senate consent?
15. What kinds of people do Presidents typically seek for their inner circle (White House Staff)? How does this differ from the “loyalties” of Cabinet members?
16. What does OMB stand for and what function does it serve for the Chief Executive?
17. Explain why there are divided loyalties of Cabinet officials to the President. Explain what loyalties Cabinet officials owe to the following groups: Secretaries, Congress, client groups, and employees within the departments.
18. How do the President’s goals often conflict with Cabinet Dept. goals?
19. How does Vice President “preside over Senate?” What does he/she do in case of a tie?
20. What does balancing the ticket mean?
21. The President can easily go directly to the people with his case (the “Bully Pulpit”). Is this an advantage and why?
22. What kind of powers did Congress delegate to the executive branch and in what area in particular?
23. What are executive agreements? Do they require Senate ratification? Why or why not, do you think?
24. Since WWII, What has happened to the number of executive agreements in relation to the number of treaties? Why do you think this is the case?
25. 26. What is the definition of “Executive Privilege?” Provide an example
26. What was the US Supreme Court’s ruling in U.S. v. Nixon (1974)? Are Presidents entitled to executive privilege in criminal cases?
27. List out provisions of the War Powers Resolution of 1973 (e.g. Letter A, 1-4).
Provisions of the War Powers Act:
28. List out provisions of the Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (A-E)
29. Explain legislative veto, its intent, and the SC ruling?
- The legislative veto was a way of forcing the bureaucracy to conform to congressional intent. Supreme Court said Legislative veto can be an unconstitutional violation of separation of powers.