All Flashcards
Define 'checks and balances'.
A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.
What is 'Senate confirmation'?
The Senate's power to approve presidential appointments.
Define 'judicial appointments'.
The president's power to select judges for federal courts, including the Supreme Court.
What is the 'power of the purse'?
Congress's power to control government spending.
Define 'War Powers Act'.
A law limiting the president's ability to deploy troops without congressional approval.
What is 'ideological difference'?
Disagreement based on different political beliefs or values.
Define 'executive departments'.
The 15 main agencies of the executive branch, each headed by a cabinet member.
What is 'diplomacy'?
The art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations.
Define 'judicial review'.
The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.
What is 'separation of powers'?
The division of government power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Cause and effect: Senate rejection of a presidential nominee.
Cause: Nominee's controversial views or ideology. Effect: President must find an alternative candidate.
Cause and effect: Presidential judicial appointments.
Cause: President's desire to shape the judiciary. Effect: Long-term impact on legal precedent.
Cause and effect: War Powers Act.
Cause: Congressional concern over presidential war-making power. Effect: Limits on president's ability to deploy troops.
Cause and effect: Ideological differences between the Senate and the President.
Cause: Different political parties controlling the Senate and the Presidency. Effect: Difficult confirmation battles.
Cause and effect: President appoints a Supreme Court Justice.
Cause: Vacancy on the Supreme Court. Effect: Shifts the ideology of the court for decades.
Cause and effect: Congress withholds funding for a military operation.
Cause: Disagreement with the President's foreign policy. Effect: Limits the President's ability to conduct military operations.
Cause and effect: President issues an executive order.
Cause: President wants to enact policy without congressional approval. Effect: Can be challenged in court or overturned by future presidents.
Cause and effect: Senate ratifies a treaty.
Cause: President negotiates a treaty with another country. Effect: The treaty becomes legally binding for the U.S.
Cause and effect: Congress declares war.
Cause: President requests a declaration of war. Effect: Authorizes the President to use military force.
Cause and effect: President vetoes a bill.
Cause: President disagrees with legislation passed by Congress. Effect: Bill does not become law unless Congress overrides the veto.
What role does the Senate play in presidential appointments?
The Senate must confirm many presidential appointments, providing 'advice and consent'.
What is the role of the President as 'Commander-in-Chief'?
The president has supreme command of the U.S. armed forces, but this power is checked by Congress.
What role does the Supreme Court play in checking the President?
The Supreme Court can declare actions of the president unconstitutional through judicial review.
What is the role of Congress in foreign policy?
Congress can declare war, ratify treaties, and control funding for military actions.
What is the role of the Cabinet?
Cabinet members advise the president on policy and manage executive departments.
What is the role of federal judges?
Federal judges interpret laws and preside over court cases, with lifetime appointments.
What is the role of ambassadors?
Ambassadors represent the U.S. in other countries and conduct diplomacy.
What is the role of the legislative branch?
The legislative branch is responsible for creating laws.
What is the role of the executive branch?
The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws.
What is the role of the judicial branch?
The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws.