Key Themes in Federalist No. 70

Ultimately, what fear did many early Americans share about the chief executive that led the Federalists to justify its structure?

• The fear of an executive that will become too large and numerous.

• The fear of an executive that will become too strong and powerful.

• The fear of an executive that will be too weak in comparison to the legislature.

• The fear of an executive that will be ineffective in times of crisis.

The current Republican president agrees with his Republican constituents regarding an unfavorable view of the Department of Education. He wishes to change educational policy and the current direction of the department. Which of the following is a legitimate action the president can take to accomplish these objectives?

• He could impound funds to the Department of Education until they agreed to support his educational policy agenda.

• He could appoint a new Secretary of Education who aligned with his policy views.

• He could issue an executive agreement that dictated the policy objectives of the department.

• He could unilaterally disband the Department of Education and create new laws that all public schools must follow.

President Johnson was sworn in as the President of the United States on November 22, 1963, after President Kennedy was assassinated. He then proceeded to win the Election of 1964. According to the guidelines in the amendment above, could President Johnson have run for an additional term?

• Yes, because he technically only campaigned once.

• Yes, because he served less than two years of Kennedy's presidency, which means he had the option to serve two additional terms of his own.

• No, because the rest of Kennedy’s term already counted as his first full term in office.

• No, he was too unpopular to run again.

In addition to forming investigative committees, what is another example of congressional oversight over the executive branch?

• Using the “power of the purse” to cut an agency’s funding.

• Filing a lawsuit with the Supreme Court to fire the president.

• Passing a law to cut the president’s term short.

• Using a legislative veto to nullify an action taken by the executive branch.

All of the following are considered normal tasks of the federal bureaucracy EXCEPT

• Enforcing federal regulations

• Appropriating money to agencies and departments

• Testifying at congressional hearings

• Issuing fines to those who break the rules and laws set by the government

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of iron triangles?

• The House, Senate, and Supreme Court all ban together to impeach the president.

• The Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, and Council of Economic Advisors meet to determine how to best deal with the current recession.

• Three lobbying firms join forces to push for new gun legislation.

• An agency, interest group, and congressional committee work to address specific policy concerns.

Discretionary authority refers to

• the ability of the bureaucracy to add specific guidelines to policies that were not defined by congressional law.

• the ability of the executive branch to enforce judicial decisions how they please.

• the ability of the president to choose his/her running mate

• the ability of the president to veto or sign a bill.

For information regarding the federal budget, the president would consult the _____. However, for an update on monetary policy, such as interest rates and the money supply, he would refer to the _____.

• Council of Economic Advisers, Office of Management and Budget

• Federal Reserve Board, Council of Economic Advisors

• Office of Management and Budget, Federal Reserve Board

• Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Reserve Board

If the president was anxious to act on a domestic issue, but Congress kept stalling, what action might he take?

• issue an executive agreement

• issue an executive order

• pass a law

• hold the Speaker of the House in contempt for lack of action

The president wants to pass comprehensive immigration reform, but Congress continues to fight and refuses to pass anything significant. Which presidential power is he most likely to use to get Congress to act?

• The power to issue an executive agreement

• The power to appoint a new Speaker of the House

• The power to grant amnesty

• The power of the bully pulpit