1. Write your journal
2. Take the following notes.
3. Study for the test. Study guide at end
Notes:
• Presidential Power
• The Growth of Presidential Power
• The power of the presidency has been cause for debate mainly because the Constitution provided a loose definition of executive power.
• The influence of strong Presidents, the demands of the American people for strong leadership, and the need for decisive action during national emergencies has worked to strengthen the powers of the presidency.
• The Growth of the Executive Power
• The passage of thousands of laws by Congress, mass media expansion, and the nation’s complex economic life have all contributed to the growth of the executive power.
• Other Presidential Duties
• The President appoints Cabinet members with Senate approval.
• The President names most of the top-ranking officers of the Federal government with Senate approval. Supreme Court vacancies, federal judges, etc.
• Typical sequence in appointment process: nomination, Senate committee hearings, Senate debate, rejection/confirmation
• Other Presidential Duties Cont…
• The President’s power to execute the law covers all federal laws, whether or not the President agrees with them.
• The President shares military powers with Congress.
• A President can use armed forces abroad at his or her discretion.
• Treaties negotiated by the President must get the Senate’s consent, can be repealed by Congress, and declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
• Other Presidential Duties Cont…
• The President exercises legislative power over Congress by recommending legislation.
• The President has the ability to veto legislation from Congress.
• The President has the ability to grant pardons, a legal forgiveness of a crime. Presidential pardons can be given after a person has been convicted in court, and before that person is tried, or even before that person has been formally charged.
Study Guide:
Study Guide for Executive Branch Test
1. What constitutional amendment deals with Presidential disability? (pgs. 360-361)
2. How old must the President of the United States be? (poster and 356)
3. How much money does the President make per year? (poster and 358)
4. Why did the electoral system break down in the election of 1800? (Book Section and 366)
5. If an incumbent President is seeking another term in office, who will his part likely nominate? (Board Questions and 374, “Who is Nominated)
6. How are a State’s presidential electors chosen? (Board Questions and 378, “Choosing Electors”)
7. What is the maximum amount of years a President can serve in office? (poster and 357)
8. According to the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, who follows the Vice President in the line of presidential succession? (poster and 359)
9. Who can challenge the President’s decision to resume duties after an illness? (25th Amendment notes and pg. 361)
10. What is the least amount of presidential electors a State can have? (Board Questions and 380, Map)
11. What are the two formal duties of the Vice President? (pg. 361)
12. What is the first session of the national convention generally devoted to? (Board Questions and 373, “The First Two Days)
13. Where does the first caucus take place in presidential primaries? (Board Questions and “The Caucus Convention Process)
14. What is the most widely supported plan for reform of the Electoral College? (Board Questions and 383, “Direct Popular Election)
15. What are the major flaws in the Electoral College system? (Board Questions and 379, “Flaws in the Electoral College)
16. Why has the power of the presidency been cause for debate? (Notes)
17. What has been used to strengthen the presidency? (Notes)
18. Who does the president share military powers with? (Notes)
19. Where does the president get power to for the ordinance power in order to issue executive orders? (Question Handout)
20. Why does the president need the ordinance power? (Question Handout and 394)
21. What is the difference between a treaty and an executive agreement? (Question Handout)
22. What is the sequence of events in the appointment process? (Notes)
23. What does the President’s power to execute the law cover? (Notes)
24. What are executive agreements? (Question Handout)
25. What are the steps for treaties? (Question Handout and Notes)
26. Who appoints and Cabinet members? Who approves Cabinet members? (Notes)
27. Why has the executive power grown? (Notes)
28. When can the President use armed forces abroad? (Notes)
29. How does the President exercise legislative power over Congress? (Notes)
30. When can the President use the power to grant pardons? (Notes)
