EXECUTIVE BRANCH TEST REVIEW 2014

Article II  What is the purpose of Article II?

Purpose of Article II  Article II establishes the executive branch to carry out the laws passed by Congress.

The Federal Election Campaign Act  What is it and what are its principles?

Federal Election Campaign Act, Explained  Shows Public funding of presidential elections  Limitations on the amounts presidential and congressional candidates may receive from contributors  Public disclosure of the amounts candidates spend to get elected

Qualifications of the U.S. President  Must be at least 35 years old  Must have lived in the United States for 14 years  Must be a natural born citizen

President’s years in office  Maximum of 10 years in office  A president is limited to serving for 10 years in office. He or she can only be elected to two full terms (8 years) according to the 22nd amendment to the US Constitution. However, if an individual becomes president through the order of succession, then they are allowed to serve an additional two years.

Responsibilities of the president and vice president  What are they?

 Overseeing the various parts of the executive branch  Enforcing laws  Issuing executive ordinances  Appointing and removing officials  Making treaties and executive agreements  Commanding the military

Order of Presidential Succession  President  Vice President  Speaker of the House

Executive Ordinance  What is it?  Executive Order 9981

The Ordinance Power  The president’s ability to enact executive orders. An executive order is a directive, rule, or regulation that has the effect of law. The power to issue these orders, the ordinance power, arises from two sources: the Constitution and acts of Congress

Executive Agreement  What is it?

Executive Agreement  A pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state; a binding international agreement with the force of law but which (unlike a treaty) does not require Senate consent.

Checks of the legislative branch  over the executive branch:  To override presidential vetoes  To impeach and convict a president  To approve treaties  To approve presidential appointments

Checks of the judicial branch  over the executive branch:  To declare executive actions to be unconstitutional

Checks of the executive branch  over the legislative branch:  To veto acts of Congress  To call special sessions of Congress  over the judicial branch: – To appoint federal judges/justices

Which branch is primarily responsible for foreign policy and national security?

The Executive branch and foreign policy  The president has primary responsibility for making foreign policy. The president can negotiate, persuade, apply economic pressure, and threaten military intervention.

Other Branches of Government Role in Foreign Policy Foreign policy powers of other branches Congress has the power to declare war and to appropriate funds. The Senate has the power to confirm ambassadors and to ratify treaties. The Supreme Court has the power to interpret treaties.

Key agencies in the foreign policy arena State Department National Security Council Foreign Service Department of Defense Central Intelligence Agency National Security Council- advises the President on all domestic, foreign, and military aspects of the nation’s security.

Foreign policy goals  Fulfilling a commitment to preserve a peaceful world  Promoting democratic values  Protecting nations from aggression  Encouraging market-oriented economies and free trade  Safeguarding the global environment  Advancing international cooperation *Making foreign policy decisions requires balancing competing or contradictory foreign policy goals

NAFTA & WTO  North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)- A free-trade zone of Canada, Mexico, and the United States intended to eliminate trade barriers, promote fair competition, and increase investment opportunities.  World Trade Organization (WTO): Established in Its role is administering trade agreements, handling disputes, and providing a venue for negotiating among its member nations.

Executive Branch (Organization)

1 st caucus state  Since 1972, the Iowa caucuses have been the first major electoral event of the nominating process for President of the United States. Although only about 1% of the nation's delegates are chosen by the Iowa State Convention (25 Republican delegates in 2012, assigned proportionately), the Iowa caucuses have served as an early indication of which candidates for president might win the nomination of their political party at that party's national convention, and which ones could drop out for lack of support.

Electoral Votes (Presidential Electors) Presidential Electors- The number of Representatives and Senators the state has in the Congress