5.4 Executive

What is one way that executive agreements differ from treaties?

• A treaty is negotiated by the President; an executive agreement by a senator.

• Executive agreements remain in force from one administration to another; treaties do not.

• A treaty requires approval by two thirds of the Senate; an executive agreement does not.

• The Senate ratifies all treaties, but only those executive orders from the previous administration.

What statement best describes why Congress enacted the War Powers Resolution of 1973?

• President Nixon asked Congress to declare war against Vietnam.

• Congress wanted to grant the President unrestricted authority to send troops abroad.

• The continued conflict in Vietnam required Congress to authorize funding for the military.

• Congress wanted to limit the President's ability to commit troops to an undeclared war.

When the President creates a treaty or an executive agreement, only one truly involves the system of checks and balances. Choose the answer that accurately describes how the checks and balances system works.

• A treaty requires presidential ratification to become effective.

• A treaty requires approval of the Senate with a two-thirds majority vote.

• An executive agreement requires an incoming President’s reauthorization to remain in force.

• An executive agreement requires agreement between the President and the head of state of a foreign country.

A treaty becomes a permanent part of American law when ratified, while an executive agreement does not. In fact, an executive agreement is in force only as long as the President who made it is in office, unless

• the Senate is notified within 60 days.

• the Senate approves the agreement with a two-thirds majority vote.

• a newly elected President sends the agreement for Senate approval.

• a newly elected President confirms that the agreement remains in force.

The President has just negotiated the terms of a treaty with the leader of Argentina and has left that country to return to the United States to inform Congress of his actions. Argentinian newspapers celebrate the event with headlines such as "Treaty with U.S. is Ratified!" Which of the following statements about this headline is CORRECT?

• The headline is accurate because the power to make treaties is one of the President's powers as chief diplomat.

• The headline is inaccurate, because the President cannot ratify a treaty until the Senate has given its consent.

• The headline is inaccurate, because the President cannot ratify a treaty until the Senate has given its consent.

• The headline is inaccurate because the President can negotiate a treaty, but it must be ratified by the full Senate.

What is the difference between a joint resolution of Congress and a Senate vote on a treaty?

• A joint resolution requires approval of two thirds of both the House and the Senate, while a Senate vote on a treaty requires a two-thirds majority of just the Senate.

• Both chambers of Congress can approve a joint resolution by a simple majority, but a treaty requires a two-thirds majority of the Senate for approval.

• A Senate vote on a treaty requires a simple majority for approval, but a joint resolution requires approval by a two-thirds majority of both chambers of Congress.

• Both a joint resolution and a Senate vote on a treaty require a two-thirds majority, but the President has more input with a joint resolution.

Which of the following actions by a President can be used to issue a warning to another nation?

• negotiating an executive agreement with that country rather than a treaty

• sending an American ambassador or diplomat to that country

• urging the Supreme Court to review the terms of a treaty

• withdrawing the United States' recognition of that country

Which statement BEST explains the reason that Congress enacted the War Powers Resolution during the conflict in Vietnam?

• Congress sought to limit the President's ability to send troops into combat in an undeclared war.

• President Richard Nixon had asked that more American troops be committed to combat.

• The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution had expired and Congress needed to reauthorize the use of force in Vietnam.

• Congress wished to limit the President's constitutional power to declare war.

Which of the following actions illustrates the presidential power of commander in chief?

• George Washington signs a neutrality proclamation in a war between France and other European nations.

• Franklin D. Roosevelt agrees to a destroyers-for-bases exchange with Great Britain.

• Barack Obama escalates the number of American troops in Afghanistan.

• Abraham Lincoln nominates Edwin Stanton as his new Secretary of War.