1. AP U.S. Government Rixie April 30th, 2018
Review Session #5
AP U.S. Government
Rixie
April 30th, 2018

2. Presidential Powers
Formal & Informal

3. Article II of the Constitution
Created a single executive
Elected for 4 year term
Electoral College – process amended in 12th Amendment
Term limits – 22nd Amendment
2 elected terms

4. Article II of the Constitution
Qualifications:
Natural born citizen
35 years
A resident for 14 years

5. 25th Amendment VP is president if something happens to POTUS
New POTUS then nominates new VP, approved by majority of Congress
Presidential disability:
VP is “acting president” if POTUS is unable to perform duties (if he informs Congress OR if the VP and majority of cabinet inform Congress)

6. Order of Succession VP Speaker of the House
President pro temp of the Senate
Secretary of State, followed by other Cabinet members in order of the department’s creation

7. Impeachment Process Two steps: House may impeach POTUS or VP
Accusation of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes & misdemeanors”
Goes to trial in Senate– they judge whether or not to convict (must have 2/3 vote of Senate) & remove from office

8. The Electoral College System
Article II & Amendment 12
Each state chooses their electors (total equal to the sum of their reps & senators in Congress)
Voters vote in general election in November
Electors cast ballots in December (all states but two are winner-take-all)
270 votes to win – if no one has it, House of Reps chooses from top 3 candidates

9. The Vice Presidency Formal qualifications same as POTUS
POTUS chooses running mate to balance the presidential ticket
Constitutional duties:
Preside over the Senate & break ties if necessary
Help determine presidential disability (25th Amendment) & take over if needed

10. Presidential Powers Formal: Express powers in Article II Informal:
Developed over time from predecessors

11. Executive Powers of POTUS
“Chief Executive” – presides over executive branch
Enforce laws, treaties, court decisions
Issue executive orders:
Ex: Truman’s order to desegregate the military
Appoint officials

12. Legislative Powers of POTUS
Delivers annual State of the Union address to Congress
Sign/veto bills
Propose legislation & use persuasion to try to get it passed
May call special sessions of Congress

13. Diplomatic Powers of POTUS
Appoint ambassadors
Negotiate treaties
Executive agreements (international agreements without Senate approval)
Recognize foreign governments
Receive foreign dignitaries

14. Military Powers of POTUS
Commander-in-chief of armed forces
Orders troops overseas but doesn’t declare war (Congress does)

15. Judicial Powers of POTUS
Appoints federal judges & SCOTUS justices
Grants reprieves, pardons & amnesty

16. Party Powers of POTUS Informal! Leader of party
Influences party platform & policies
Appoints party members to gov’t positions

17. Limitations on Powers of POTUS
Congressional checks
2/3 of both houses to override vetoes
Power of the purse
Impeachment
Approve appointments
Judicial review of executive actions
Informal: Public opinion, media attention, approval ratings

18. War Powers Act (know this!)
Congress declares war but POTUS is commander-in-chief – creates gray areas
Attempt of Congress to gain back war powers/limit the war powers of POTUS
Nixon vetoed it but Congress overrode
This said POTUS can send troops but must bring them back if Congress has not authorized it in days
Presidents have violated this in the past

19. The Bureaucracy
Structure & Role

20. Hiring Bureaucrats Patronage (or Spoils) System Merit System
Practice of giving offices & government favors to political supporters and friends
Still exists to an extent with appointed positions
Practice of hiring employees based on ability/skill to do the job and experience
A test may be required

21. Important Legislation
Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)
Replaced spoils system with merit system as basis for hiring and promotion
Passed after assassination of Pres. Garfield
Hatch Act (1939)
Gov’t employees can’t engage in political activities while on duty
Can’t run for office or seek political funding
Some positions (like Secret Service) can’t engage in politics at all

22. Role of the Bureaucracy
Derives some power from process of policy implementation:
Congress writes laws, but agencies have to further clarify & carry out policy with rules & standard operating procedures (SOPs)
They also carry out administrative duties
Regulation is also a role – meant to protect the public

23. Types of Bureaucratic Organizations
Cabinet departments:
15 – advise POTUS and operate a specific policy area
Ex: State, Defense, Treasury, Justice, Transportation
Independent executive agencies:
Less direct presidential influence than cabinet departments
Ex: NASA, CIA

24. Types of Bureaucratic Organizations
Government corporations:
Carry out business-like activities & usually charge for services
Ex: US Postal Service; AMTRAK
Independent regulatory agencies:
Similar to independent executive agencies but their primary purpose is to regulate a specific area
Ex: Federal Reserve Board, Federal Communications Commission

25. Executive Office of the President (EOP)
Closest advisors to POTUS
Appointments don’t need congressional approval
A few major agencies within the EOP:
White House Office (chief of staff, press secretary, & other staff members)
National Security Council
Office of Management & Budget
Council of Economic Advisors

26. Executive & Legislative Influence
POTUS can make appointments, issue executive orders, and try to push budget initiatives or reorganization
Congress can confirm/reject appointments, authorize & appropriate funds to agencies, and rewrite legislation

27. Subgovernments & Public Influence
Iron Triangles
Issue Networks
“Subgovernments”
An mutually-beneficial alliance between a bureaucratic agency, a congressional committee/subcommittee, & an interest group
Ex: NRA, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms, House Armed Services Committee
Less rigid & influential than an iron triangle
Individuals within interest groups, universities, the media, etc. who discuss and advocate public policy pertaining to a given issue