Chapter 3: Presidency

Question 1

Evidence of president ‘head of state’ responsibilities

Answer 1

the president attends global summits:
e.g the G7 summit At the World Economic Forum, Trump met with other world leaders

Question 2

Cabinet can be ignored

Answer 2

2017, Trump ignored his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and dropped the “two-state” solution for Middle East Peace

Question 3

Trump veto

Answer 3

2019- UAE arms sales disapproval resolution (to block the arms deal)

Question 4

Biden Veto

Answer 4

2023- biden vetoed legislation rolling back EPA emissions standards

Question 5

President has to answer to Congress, only when impeached

Answer 5

E.g 2021 impeachment of Trump from the January 6th trial

Question 6

Obama pardoning people in his last month in office

Answer 6

Pardoned 142 in his last month in office

Question 7

President being unable to count on party

Answer 7

Bush’s Social Security reforms FAILED to pass through Congress, with it being controversial amongst both Republicans and Democrats

Question 8

National events increasing power

Answer 8

After 9/11, Bush was able to begin Iraq War and create the Patriot Act 2001

Question 9

Example of electoral mandate being powerful

Answer 9

• Obama won the 2008 election with around 53% of the vote
• within the first 2 years pushed for budget stimulus, health care reform and beginning the process of moving troops from Iraq.

Question 10

Example of national events weakening presidential power

Answer 10

2008 financial crisis- Obama had to prioritise an economic stimulus package over healthcare reform
2020 Coronavirus pandemic

Question 11

Example of successful power of persuasion Obama

Answer 11

Obama was able to get the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010

Question 12

Example of successful power of persuasion Trump

Answer 12

Trump- Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 2017 (reduced corporate tax from 35% to 21%)

Question 13

Example of successful power of persuasion Biden

Answer 13

Inflation Reduction Act 2022 (he proposed this in State of Union)

Question 14

Example of power of persuasion via individuals

Answer 14

Under Bush, education secretary Rod Paige was used to sell his ‘No Child Left Behind’ education package in 2001

Question 15

Example of unsuccessful power of persuasion Trump

Answer 15

• Trump won party control in both the House and the Senate. - Yet ‘repeal and replace’ (which would’ve got rid of Obamacare failed)
• Low electoral mandate/ approval ratings negatively affected his powers of persuasion

Question 16

Example of Congress veto override

Answer 16

Veto override of 97-1 (in the Senate), of the 9/11’s victims bill 2016

Question 17

Treaties that weren’t ratified by the Senate

Answer 17

2012- Obama’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Question 18

Example of president passing executive agreements

Answer 18

Joe Biden rejoining the Paris Agreement in 2021

Question 19

Example of Congress limiting foreign relations with power of the purse

Answer 19

-Prevented the closure of Guantanamo Bay in 2009, by passing the National Defense Authorisation Act which prohibited funds

Question 20

Trump Executive Orders

Answer 20

220

Question 21

Example of presidential veto being overridden by Congress

Answer 21

2021- overturned veto of a defence spending bill, in favour of the National Defense Authorization Act

Question 22

Biden being accused of unconstitutionally wielding ‘power of the purse’

Answer 22

• 2022- several states are suing Biden administration’s attempt at new student-loan forgiveness programme
• argue that are undermining separation of powers