USA - branches of gov and power

Question 1

executive order
PEE

Answer 1

• one of the biggest powers president has
• don’t need to be approved by either of the houses of congress
• allows to pass legislation that fits presidents political agenda rather than views of the senate and House of representatives
• can be particularly useful for a president who doesn’t have full control of both houses
• lame duck executive order refers to a president is on way out of office but uses power
• used to leave a legacy
  EG > Donald trump signed an executive order in 2020 known as schedule F that overturned a century of civil service laws

Question 2

executive order
REE

Answer 2

• the supreme court can declare any law as unconstitutional
• can’t be passed by federal law
• the supreme court made up of 9 justices who stay for life
• they interpret the Constitution and rule on its meaning
• this also applies to laws introduced by Congress in which since 2014 the supreme court has judged 176 acts of the US congress unconstitutional
  EG > the supreme court ruled that president videos executive order forgiving student loan debt as unconstitutional by a vote of 6-3

Question 3

veto
PEE

Answer 3

• before legislation is passed into law it must be approved and signed by the President
• significant power as they can reject or approve at their own choice
• known as presidential veto
• use it to their power a story can make laws suit their political agenda
  EG > Biden vetoed a proposed bill introduced by Congress relating to waivers and modifications of federal student loans on 7th June 2023

Question 4

veto
REE

Answer 4

• any presidential veto is subject to scrutiny by Congress
• it can be overturned if a 2/3 majority is seen in both houses of congress
• if 67 senators and 290 representatives do not agree with presidents decision, veto can be overturned and the bill will still become law
• since 1789 power used 106 times by congress
• significant check on the power of the executive as the legislative branch have the final say
  EG > the senate held a rare new years Day debate to override president trump’s veto on a military spending bill on Jan 1st 2021. 81/100 senators and the HoR voted 322-87 in favour of returning the veto

Question 5

presidential appointments
PEE

Answer 5

• the President has power to appoint thousands of people into positions that help run the country
• includes the 15 cabinet members that run the executive departments
• most important is supreme court justices
• significant power as allows them to maintain an element of influence long after they leave the white house
  EG > in his one term in office Donald trump was able to recommend three people to the supreme court

Question 6

presidential appointments
REE

Answer 6

• the senate or the upper house of congress has to approve all of the president’s nominations
• specifically for the supreme court > includes a vetting process that examines candidates in detail
• key focus on ‘hot button’ social issues such a shun control, abortion and marriage equality
• in total 11 supreme court nominations have been rejected by the senate
  EG > the supreme court justice ketanji brown Jackson was the subject of extreme scrutiny in the senate before being sworn into the court with a slim 53-47 majority in 2022