Unit 4 Government Concepts – Flashcards
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Presidential Succession Act of 1947
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Law that set the order of succession following the Vice President
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chief diplomat
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The President as the main author of us foreign policy
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electoral vote
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Vote cast by electors in the electoral college
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national convention
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National party meeting to nominate candidates
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swing voters
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A candidate's share of the popular vote is the basis for a State's electoral votes
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balance the ticket
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Choosing a running mate who will strengthen the chances of election
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presidential succession
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Plan for filling a presidential vacancy
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chief citizen
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The President's role as a representative of all Americans
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presidential electors
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The Framers planned this group to directly vote for presidential candidates
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commander in chief
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Role of the President as head of the nation's military
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swing voters
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Those who have not yet decided how to vote
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Electoral College
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Have the responsibility for formally electing the President
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A large expense account to spend as he or she likes
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Which of the following is among the benefits provided to a President?
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Vice President
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In the Framers' plan, a candidate would win which office with the second largest number of electoral votes?
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Be at least 35 years old
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According to the Constitution, the President must be how old?
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Congress
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Who determines the President's salary?
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The Secretary of State
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The Cabinet member who is first in line for presidential sucession is who?
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Presidential disability
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The 25th Amendment deals with what?
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Through a state caucus
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The first method political parties developed to pick their presidential candidates was how?
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Battleground states
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States in which the outcome of a presidential election is "too close to call" are called what?
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It can rule that actions by the President are unconstitutional
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How can the Supreme Court check the growth of presidential power?
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The oath of office and the "take care" provision of the Constitution
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Where does the President's power to execute the law come from?
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The President nominates
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The President makes appointments to high-level positions. Which is the first step in the appointment process?
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That the United States accepts the other country as an equal member of the family of nations
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What does receiving the diplomatic representatives of another country signify?
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Treaties require Senate approval
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How does a treaty differ from an executive agreement?
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The new President
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When a new President takes office, who decides what executive agreements will be kept that were made by the previous President?
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A two-thirds vote in both houses is needed to override it
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The presidential veto is a powerful tool why?
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The Senate
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Which part of the government must vote to approve a treaty before it becomes effective?
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It becomes a law
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The President does not act on a bill within 10 days of receiving it. If Congress has not adjourned, what happens to the bill?
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The President and members of the judicial branch
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The claim of executive privilege generally relates to communications between who?
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Check the President's war powers
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The War Powers Resolution was passed in order to do what?
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Secretary of State
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Which member of the President's administration helps negotiate treaties with other countries?
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That the United States is displeased with the conduct of the other nation
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If the President asks for the recall of a nation's ambassador, what does this signify?
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It becomes a law
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If the President does not act on a bill within 10 days of receiving it (and Congress has not adjourned), what happens to the bill?
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chief administrator
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The President's role as director of the executive branch
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commander in chief
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The President's role as head of the armed forces
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chief executive
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The President's role as the one vested with the executive power of the US
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chief legislator
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The President's role as principal author of US public policy
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chief of party
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The President's role as party leader controlling the executive branch
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chief of state
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The President's role as ceremonial head of the US government
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He must be at least 35 years old
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According to the Constitution, the President must be how old?
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Undemocratic
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An opponent of the 22nd Amendment would most likely argue that it is what?
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The Constitution did not limit the number of terms
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Prior to the 22nd Amendment, how many terms could a President serve, according to the Constitution?
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Congress
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Who determines the President's salary?
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25th Amendment
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Says the Vice President will be President if the President dies
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balance the ticket
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Vice Presidential candidates do this by attracting voters from a particular region
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Acting President
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Role of the Vice President if the President is disabled
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Speaker of the House
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Who is next in the line of succession afte the Vice President?
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Fire the Vice President
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Which is not an option for the President is he or she is unhappy with the Vice President's work?
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Nominate a Vice President
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What must the President do if the vice presidency becomes vacant?
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proportional plan
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Would provide a share of the popular vote to each candidate
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direct popular election
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Would do away with the electoral college
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district plan
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Would award electoral votes from a state's congressional districts
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battleground states
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Either presidential candidate could win these
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swing voters
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Could support either candidate
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national popular vote plan
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Would ensure a state's electoral votes go to the winner of the national popular vote
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An all-out effort to win
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Which best describes a presidential election campaign?
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Direct popular vote
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How are presidential electors chosen within a state?
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In the House of Representatives
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If neither presidential candidate wins a majority in the electoral college how is the election decided?
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It would favor small states
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Which is a criticism of the plan for direct popular election?
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A majority vote of the nine justices
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What is required for the Supreme Court to reach a decision?
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The appeals courts
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Which courts greatly reduce the number of cases the Supreme Court has to hear?
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Review the original trail record of the case
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What could a federal appeals court do when considering a case?
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The Senate
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Who must confirm federal judges?
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U.S Attorneys
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Which of the following are the government's prosecutors?
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At least five
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How many justices must agree to a Supreme Court decision?
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The Bill of Rights
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What did many states insist had to be added to the Constitution before they would ratify (approve) it?
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Most of the guarantees in the Bill of Rights
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Which rights has the Supreme Court decided to protect under the Due Process Clause?
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It declares that rights exist beyond those listed in the Constitution
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Why is the 9th amendment important?
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Violates criminal laws
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The free exercise of religion may be limited when a religious practice does what?
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Obscene language
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What kind of speech does the government limit on public radio and television broadcast?
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What might be said
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The government may not prohibit an assembly for what reason?
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The due process clause of the 14th Amendment
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Which part of the Constitution requires states to honor the 1st Amendment?
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So voters can discuss matters of public policy
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Why is freedom of expression so important to the American system of government?
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Discussion of public affairs
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One of the basic purposes of the guarantees of free expression is to encourage what?
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What might be said there
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Government cannot make rules about assemblies based on?
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Infringe on the rights of others
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People in the Unites States may do as they please as long as they do not do what?
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executive order
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a directive, rule, or regulation issued by the President that has the effect of law
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discretion
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the freedom to make a decision about
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ordinance power
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the power of the President to issue executive orders
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executive privelage
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presidential ability to refuse to disclose information
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treay
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an agreement between two or more sovereign states(senate)
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executive agreement
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a pact between the president and the head of a foreign states(no senate)
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recognition
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acknowledging the legal existence of a country
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person non grata
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an unwelcome person
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pocket veto
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occurs when Congress adjourns within ten days of sending a bill to the White House and the President does not act on it
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line item veto
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the power to cancel out some provisions in a bill while approving others
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reprieve
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postponent of the execution of a crime
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pardon
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legal forgiveness of a crime
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commutation
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the pwer to reduce a fine or the length of a sentence imposed by a court
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outlines presidential pwers in broad, sketchy terms
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Article II of the Constitution
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the constitution has been amended to grant the President more power
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Which of the following is NOT why presidential power has grown?
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it can rule that actions by the President are unconstitutional
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How can the Supreme Court check the growth of presidential power?
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strong but limited power
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Which best describes the presidency as it was extablished by the Framers of the Constitution
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the Constitution
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WHere does the president get the pwer to grant repieves and pardons for offenses against the U.S
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may be claimed in matters involving national security
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The supreme court has ruled that executive privelege
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it says nothing about how appointed officials may be dismissed
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What does the Constitution say about the Presidents removal power?
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the president may remove whomever he appoints
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With the exception of federal judges, what is true about the Presidents removal power?
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unlike executive agreements treaties require senate approval
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In what way is a treaty different from and executive agreement?
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whichever was enacted latest
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If a treaty and an act of Congress conflict, which always had a priority?
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that the U.S accepts the other country as an equal memeber of the family of nations
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Recieving the diploamtic representatives of anohter country signifies
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the new President
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When a new President takes office, who decides what exectuvite agreements will be kept that were made by the previous Presidents?
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when the nations interest are threatedned
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The War Powers Resoultion authorizes the president to commit military forces to combat in alll of the follwoing circumstances exceptq
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report to Congress in writing
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Whaat must the President do after sending troops to fight in a foreign country
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60 day
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How long can US military foces be deployed beofgre Congress must take action
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THe constitution must be amended
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In order for the president to have the pwer of line item veto what must happen?
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no one
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Who may overturn a presidential pardon?
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the us does not like the conduct of the other nation
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What does it mean when the President asks a foreign nation to remove its ambassador from the US
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it would reduce wasteful and unneccessary spending
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Which of the following is an argument for the line item veto?
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Article II
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Which Article of the Constituion outlines the presidential powers?
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by the Senate only
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How is a Presidential appointment confirmed
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the Presient
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Who has the final authority over all military matters?
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Article II of the constitution
A. Provides detailed info about the extent of presidential power
B. defines the limits of the presidential powers
C. Outlines presidential powers in broad, sketchy terms
D. Gives the president the power to override acts of congress
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C. Outlines presidential powers in broad, sketchy terms
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How can the Supreme Court check the growth of presidential power?
A. It can override presidential vetoes
B. it can amend the constitution to reduce presidential powers
C. It can remove the president from office
D. It can rule that actions by the president are unconstitutional
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D. It can rule that actions by the president are unconstitutional
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The Supreme Court has rules that executive privilege
A. Is unconstitutional
B. May be claimed in matters involving national security
C. Can be used to prevent evidence from being heard in a criminal proceeding
D. Can be claimed whenever the president feels it is necessary
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B. May be claimed in matters involving national security
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With the exception of federal judges, what is true about the presidents removal power?
A. The president may remove whomever he appoints
B. officials must remain in the office until the next election
C. The president needs the approval of the house
D. The president needs the approval of the senate
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A. The president may remove whomever he appoints
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The War Powers Resolution authorizes the president to commit military forces to combat in all of the following circumstances EXCEPT
A. When congress has declared war
B. when the nations interests are threatened
C. When an attack on the US or any of it's armed forces has occurred
D. When congress has authorized the action
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B. when the nations interests are threatened
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What must the president do after sending troops to fight in a foreign country?
A. Give a state of the union address
B. declare that country persona non grata
C. Report to congress in writing
D. Recall the US ambassador from that country
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C. Report to congress in writing
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The presidential veto is a powerful tool because
A. It cannot be overridden
B. a two-thirds vote in both houses is needed to override it
C. A majority vote in both houses is needed to override it
D. A special session of congress is needed to override it
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B. a two-thirds vote in both houses is needed to override it
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In order for the president to have the power of a line-item veto, what must happen?
A. The constitution must be amended
B. the senate must give the president that power
C. The House of Representatives must give the president that power
D. Congress must pass a law giving the president that power
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A. The constitution must be amended
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The president is responsible for what part of the federal government?
A. Educational branch
B. executive branch
C. Legislative branch
D. Judicial branch
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B. executive branch
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Which federal workers does the president appoint?
A. The Vice President and members of congress
B. Top-ranking officers like ambassadors, cabinet members, and federal judges
C. Only those in the executive branch
D. All federal workers
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B. Top-ranking officers like ambassadors, cabinet members, and federal judges
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When might the president use executive privilege?
A. During a national crisis
B. when late for a press conference
C. During an election
D. When using medical benefits
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A. During a national crisis
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What does it mean when the president asks a foreign nation to remove it's ambassador from the US?
A. The US wants the ambassador to be replaced
B. the US has declared war in the other nation
C. The US doesn't like the conduct of the other nation
D. The US approves of the conduct if the other nation
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C. The US doesn't like the conduct of the other nation
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The president doesn't act on a bill within 10 days of receiving it. If congress has not adjourned, what happens to the bill?
A. It is held until the next session
B. it becomes a law
C. It is returned to congress
D. It is automatically vetoed
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B. it becomes a law
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An "imperial" president is one who
A. Seeks congressional approval before acting
B. exercises only those powers specifically granted by the constitution
C. Sees no need to consult congress before acting
D. Believes the president is a steward of the people
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C. Sees no need to consult congress before acting
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The power to issue executive orders is called
A. The executive power
B. the ordinance power
C. The issuing power
D. The message power
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B. the ordinance power
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we know that the framers intended the president to have the ordinance power because
a. Article II of the constitution gives the president that power
b. the president must have the ordinance power in order to carry out the other powers granted by the constitution
c. all of the framers wanted a strong, powerful president
d. president must have the ordinance power in order to check the actions of the other branches of government
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b. the president must have the ordinance power in order to carry out the other powers granted by the constitution
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who has the final authority over all military matters?
a. the president
b. the senate
c. the house of representatives
d. the supreme court
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a. the president
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since the end of World War II, how has the deployment of military forces been authorized?
a. by declaring war and by joint resolutions of congress
b. by joint resolutions of congress and by presidential order
c. by declaring war and by presidential order
d. by treaties and executive agreements
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b. by joint resolutions of congress and by presidential order
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which of the following powers allows the president to check actions of the judicial branch?
a. the veto power
b. the ordinance power
c. the removal power
d. the clemency powers
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d. the clemency powers
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which article of the constitution outlines the presidential powers?
a. Article I
b. Article II
c. Article III
d. Article IV
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b. Article II
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which is required of the president by the constitution?
a. to carry out all federal laws
b. to carry out only those federal laws the president supports
c. to carry out only those federal laws relating to the military
d. to carry out both state and federal laws
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a. to carry out all federal laws
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what is the power to issue executive orders called?
a. the executive power
b. the ordinance power
c. the issuing power
d. the message power
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b. the ordinance power
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how do we know that the framers intended the president to have the ordinance power?
a. Article II of the constitution gives the president that power
b. the president must have that power to carry out the work of the executive branch
c. all of the framers wanted a strong, powerful president
d. the president must have that power to make the system of checks and balances work
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b. the president must have that power to carry out the work of the executive branch
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which of the following best summarizes the president's removal power?
a. the pres may remove most of the federal workers whom he or she has appointed
b. the pres may remove only those federal workers whose appointment did not require senate approval
c. pres may remove a federal worker but only after the senate has confirmed a successor
d. the president may removal all federal workers
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a. the pres may remove most of the federal workers whom he or she has appointed
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when a new president takes office, which of the following may he or she refuse to honor?
a. a treaty ratified by the previous administration
b. an executive agreement made by the previous administration
c. a law signed by the previous president
d. a joint resolution passed during the last term of congress
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b. an executive agreement made by the previous administration
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what message of the president is required by the constitution?
a. the annual budget message
b. the annual economic report
c. the state of the union message
d. the state of the state message
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c. the state of the union message
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which of the following is an argument for the line-item veto?
a. it would reduce wasteful and unnecessary spending
b. it would shift power to the executive branch
c. it would shift power to the legislative branch
d. it is unconstitutional
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a. it would reduce wasteful and unnecessary spending
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if the president asks for the recall of a nation's ambassador, what does this signify?
a. that the US wants the ambassador to be replaced
b. that the US has declared war on the other nation
c. that the US is displeased with the conduct of the other nation
d. that the US approves of the conduct of the other nation
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c. that the US is displeased with the conduct of the other nation
