11.1 - The Cabinet and Executive Office of the President

A president can establish a new agency under the Executive Office of the President,

• but the next president might eliminate it.

• and it is then written into the Constitution.

• but that agency has only a four-year lifespan.

• and a similar agency is then created in Congress.

Today, the president's most trusted advisor is usually

• the vice president.

• the White House chief of staff.

• the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

• the press secretary.

Today, many policy decisions are being made in the White House that were previously made in

• executive agencies.

• the House of Representatives.

• the Supreme Court.

• the Senate.

Besides following the president's orders, Cabinet secretaries might also have loyalties to members of Congress and

• special interest groups.

• the vice president.

• foreign nations.

• the Supreme Court.

If a president wants to keep something confidential, he or she

• can ask the Supreme Court for protection.

• can cite the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution for protection.

• can legally shred all relevant documents.

• can often exert executive privilege.

The group of assistants that make up a president's "inner circle" are members of the

• Office of Management and Budget.

• National Security Council.

• White House Office.

• Office of Environmental Policy.

The largest office within the Executive Office of the President is the

• Office of Environmental Policy.

• White House Office.

• Office of Management and Budget.

• National Security Council.

A president would most likely choose someone to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development who

• farms for a living.

• has helped run a big city.

• was born outside of the United States.

• has been the mayor of a small town.

Why might a candidate to become a Cabinet secretary be unenthusiastic about taking the position?

• He or she strongly disagrees with the president's positions.

• The job is not challenging enough for some people.

• The candidate undergoes extensive public scrutiny.

• There is no chance for travel.

Which of the following statements about the relationship between the president and the Cabinet is correct?

• Modern presidents generally do not rely on Cabinet members for advice.

• Presidents have used their Cabinet in different ways.

• Most presidents have followed the precedent established by George Washington.

• Many presidents choose not to convene a Cabinet.