A.P. Government
Executive Branch & Bureaucracy
US Government Standards
SSCG4 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of the national government.
q Describe the structure and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
q Analyze the relationship between the three branches in a system of checks and balances and separation of powers.
SSCG12 The student will analyze the various roles played by the President of the United States; include Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, chief executive, chief agenda setter, representative of the nation, chief of state, foreign policy leader, and party leader.
SSCG13 The student will describe the qualifications for becoming President of the United States.
q Explain the written qualifications for President of the United States.
q Describe unwritten qualifications common to past presidents.
SSCG14 The student will explain the impeachment process and its usage for elected officials.
q Explain the impeachment process as defined in the U.S. Constitution.
q Describe the impeachment proceedings of Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.
SSCG15 The student will explain the functions of the departments and agencies of the federal bureaucracy.
q Compare and contrast the organization and responsibilities of independent regulatory agencies, government corporations, and executive agencies.
q Explain the functions of the Cabinet.
AP Government Standard
IV. Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy and the Federal Courts...... ….....35-45%
Institutional arrangement of powers, relationships among the institutions, links b/t institutions and outside influences
q become familiar with the organization and powers, both formal and informal, of the major political institutions in the United States: the Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy, and the federal courts
q understand the separate institutions sharing powers and the implications of those arrangements. (The functions these institutions perform and do not perform, as well as the powers that they do and do not possess, are important)
q understand that power balances and relationships between these institutions may
evolve gradually or change dramatically as a result of crises.
q understand ties between the various branches of national government and political parties, interest groups, the media, and state and local governments
READING LIST:
O’Connor & Sabato Chapter 8 Origins & Constitutional Powers pp 281 - 294
Chapter 8 Development & Establishment pp. 294 - 302
Chapter 8 Policy Maker & Leadership pp. 302 - 311
Chapter 9 Modern Bureacracy pp.322 – 332
Chapter 9 How the Bureaucracy Works & Accountability pp. 332 - 344
KEY TERMS (EXECUTIVE):
(Underlined terms have appeared on the multiple choice sections of past released AP exams)
Bureaucracy: departments, agencies, bureaus, and commissions in the executive branch of government.
Constituents: the people who are represented by elected officials.
Cabinet: formal body of presidential advisers who head the fifteen executive departments.
Divided government: government in which one party controls the presidency while another party controls the Congress.
Executive agreement: an agreement between the President and another head of state that, unlike a treaty, does not require Senate consent.
Executive order: presidential rule or regulation that has the force of law.
Executive privilege: the privilege of a President and his staff to withhold their “privileged” conversations from Congress or the courts, usually for reasons of national security.
Impeachment: House action that formally charges an official with wrongdoing. Conviction requires 2/3 vote from the Senate.
Impoundment: refusal of a President to spend money that has been appropriated by Congress.
Iron triangle: an informal association of federal agency, congressional committee, and interest group that is said to have heavy influence over policy making.
Legislative oversight: ongoing process of congressional monitoring of the executive branch to ensure that the latter complies with the law.
Legislative veto: process in which Congress overturned rules and regulations proposed by executive branch agencies. Struck down in 1983.
Line item veto: power of most governors (and President Clinton for only a few years) to delete or reduce funding in a bill on a line by line basis.
Merit system: system of hiring federal workers based upon competitive exams.
Patronage: power to appoint loyal party members to federal positions.
Pocket veto: presidential killing of a bill by inaction after Congress adjourns.
Political appointees: those who have received presidential appointments to office. Contrast with Civil Service employees, who receive federal jobs by competitive exams.
Red tape: complex rules and procedures required by bureaucratic agencies.
Senatorial courtesy: tradition in which the President consults with the senators within a state in which an appointment is to be made.
Spoils system: see patronage above.
Whistleblower: an employee who exposes unethical or illegal conduct within the federal government or one of its contractors.
KEY LEGISLATION
Pendleton Act: Created the Civil Service Commission to administer a partial merit system in the bureaucracy. Classified federal service by grades (appointment to grade made based on results of competitive examination). Made it illegal for appointee to be required to contribute to a particular party (bringing an end to the spoils system)
Hatch Act, 1939: Limits political activities of civil service employees. Could not make contributions or work for a particular party or campaign for a particular candidate
Federal Employees Political Activities Act, 1993: Federal employees are now able to run for office in nonpartisan elections and to contribute money to campaigns in partisan elections.
War Powers Act, 1973: President could send troops overseas to an area where hostilities were imminent only if:
· He notified Congress within 48 hours.
· He withdrew troops within 60-90 days.
· He consulted with Congress if troops were to engage in combat.
Congress can pass resolution to have troops withdrawn at any time.
Budget and Impoundment Control Act, 1974:
o Established congressional budget committees.
o Established CBO.
o Extended budget process by three months.
o Allows either house to override temporary impoundment (deferral).
o Automatically voids permanent impoundment (rescission) unless both houses approve within 45 days.
KEY COURT CASES
U.S. v. Nixon (1974) Allowed for executive privilege, but not in criminal cases; “Even the President is not above the law;” Watergate.
Clinton v. NY (1998) Banned presidential use of line item veto
Bush v. Gore (2000) Use of 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause to stop the Florida recount in the election of 2000.
KEY AMENDMENTS
12th Amendment Electors receive one ballot for President and one ballot for VP
20th Amendment “Lame Duck” – Moved inauguration date (and start of Congress) from March to January
22nd Amendment Term Limits – President is limited to two four-year terms of office
23rd Amendment Electoral Votes for DC – Granted 3 E.C. votes to D.C. in presidential election
25th Amendment Presidential Disability – Defined replacement procedure for President and Vice President (does not deal with vacancy of both offices at the same time…Presidential Succession Act deals with that situation)
Obama’s Democratic Nomination
Acceptance Speech