President Flashcards
(29 cards)
List the Formal Powers of the President?
Sign Legislation
Veto Legislation
Act as Chief Executive
Appoint executive officials
Nominate all Federal Judges
Act as Commander in Chief
Negotiate all treaties
Pardon
Perform the role of Head of State.
Give 2 examples of a President Signing Legislation?
For example on the 22nd of December 2023 Joe Biden signed National Defence authorisation act of 2024 which provided funding to military programs.
Also on the 7th August 2023 Joe Biden signed the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act which created a trade deal with Taiwan.
Give 2 examples of the president vetoing legislation?
On July 24th 2019 Donald Trump carried out multiple vetos of providing military services and equipment to various US allies such as Italy and Saudi Arabia.
On July 22nd 2016 Obama vetoed the Presidential Allowance modernisation act which would limit taxpayer funds to ex-presidents.
Give 2 examples of Presidential appointment of officials?
On February 8th 2023 Joe Biden replaced Ron Klain with Jeff Zients as White House Chief of Staff.
On May 26th 2023 Joe Biden replaced Susan Rice with Neera Tanden as the White House Director of Policy Council.
Examples of the President Appointing Federal Judges?
On May 15th 2023 Joe Biden appointed Brad Garcia to the D.C. circuit of the Federal Court of Appeals by a vote 53-40.
On January 30th 2024 Joe Biden Appointed Joshua Kolar to the Seventh circuit of the Federal Court of Appeals by a vote of 66-25.
Examples of the President Negotiating Treaties?
On January 20th 2021 Joe Biden Officially re signed the Treaty of Paris after Trump withdrew from it.
28th October 2022 Joe Biden signed the Kigali agreement by a Senate vote of 69-27.
Give 2 examples of the President Pardoning someone?
On December 20th 2023 Joe Biden pardoned Colombian businessman Alex Saab as part of a prisoner exchange.
On November 15th 2019 Donald Trump pardoned Mathew Golsteyn who had served as a soldier in Afghanistan for killing an unarmed bomb maker.
What are the powers originally given to the Vice President?
Presiding Officer over the Senate.
Power to break a tie in the senate.
Task of counting and announcing the result of the electoral college vote.
Succeed the President if he dies or is removed.
Examples of the Vice President Breaking ties in the senate?
On August 7th 2022 Kamala Harris casted the tie breaking vote on the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
On July 25th 2017 Pence passed a motion to proceed the American Health Care Act 2017 however, the act was never passed.
Give 2 examples of the Vice President becoming the President?
After Richard Nixon resigned from office Gerald Ford became President.
After JFK died in office LBJ became the president and went on to win an election.
Give four examples of members in the President’s cabinet?
Pete Buttigieg - Secretary of Transportation.
Deb Haaland - Secretary for the Interior.
Merrick Garland - Attorney General.
Dr Janet Yellen - Secretary of the treasury.
How many Cabinet meetings did Obama hold?
Obama held 28 cabinet meetings.
Why can the cabinet never be of prime importance?
The Constitution grants all executive power to the President, cabinet officers have no power vested in them directly.
No doctrine of collective responsibility.
Cabinet members are not seen as political rivals as it is not a stepping stone to the Presidency.
The members of the cabinet have loyalties other than the president
The cabinet has a rival office in the executive office of the President.
Give 2 examples of members of the cabinet being dismissed?
In 2018 Donald Trump replaced John Sullivan with Mike Pompeo as his secretary of state.
In February 2017 Donald Trump replaced Adam Szubin with Steven Mnuchin.
What is the role of the White House Chief of Staff?
They provide and administrative support for the President on a Daily basis.
It acts as a liaison between the White House and the vast Federal Bureaucracy, the chief of staff is the public voice.
Who is Joe Biden’s current chief of staff and why has this happened?
Since February 8th 2023 Joe Biden’s chief of staff has been Jeff Zients. Prior to this it was Ron Klain who resigned on February 7th.
What does the Office of management and Budget do?
They advise the President on the allocation of Federal Funds.
To oversee the spending of Federal Departments and agencies.
To act as a clearing house for all legislative and regulatory initiatives coming from the executive.
Who is Joe Biden’s current Office of management and budget leader?
His current leader is Shalanda Young and she was appointed at the start of his term, She was appointed by a vote of 63-37 in the Senate with many Republicans saying that it’s a pleasure to work with her.
Give examples of the President utilising the National Security Council?
IN 2022 Joe Biden convened the National Security council in response to increasing violence in Ukraine.
In 2024 members of the national security council have been sent to China in order to improve relations between the nations.
What did professor Neustadt say about the role of the Presidency?
He stated that the power of the President is the power to persuade.
What key methods can the President use to persuade Congress?
The Vice President - All previous 8 Vice Presidents have been members of Congress in the past and therefore are crucial in keeping congress on side.
Members of the Office of Legislative Affairs - They serve as lobbyists for the President, they meet with Congressional liaison staff in order to foster good relations.
Cabinet Officers - Often deployed by the White House in order to discuss particular areas of policy with members of Congress.
Party leadership in Congress - The President must cooperate with various major members of Congress such as the majority and minority leaders, it helps if the President has a United Government.
Give an Example of the Office of Legislative Affairs in Action?
Biden’s current White House director for the Office of Legislative Affairs is Louisa Terrell who stated that although Biden and the Republicans wouldn’t agree on everything she has a job to do and intends to do it.
What are the internal factors that enhance Presidential Power and give examples?
Vision - If the President has a clear ambitious vision they can often garner an immense degree of power, for example Donald Trump although he failed to pass a lot of his proposed legislation he has been able to garner an almost cult like following.
Experience - A more experienced politician may be able to gain more political power, for example Joe Biden has been a Senator since 1973 and was also Obama’s Vice President which give him immense levels of valuable experience.
Oratory - A President that is good at speaking is able to assert more political power, for example Obama despite not having a united government was able to pass some major legislation.
Organisational Ability - George W Bush was extremely skilled in this regard with his rapid response to 9/11.
What are the external powers that effect the power of the president?
International Crises - If a President gives a strong response to the developing International Situation for example Joe Biden responded well to the Situation in Ukraine however, his response to the situation in Palestine has garnered widespread support.
Domestic Crises - If a president handles a domestic situation well they may garner more support, for example Donald Trump had an incredibly poor response to Covid leading to one million deaths whilst Joe Biden dealt with it comparably better and carried out a mass vaccine rollout.
Natural Disasters - A quick and effective response will garner lots of support for example with hurricane Catrina Obama was seen as incredibly compassionate which gave him lots of support Nationwide and may have aided his re-election campaign.
