Question 1

When Dwight Eisenhower sent federal troops into Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957, it demonstrated that the

Accepted Answer

By sending federal troops to Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, Eisenhower invoked his emergency powers as president in order to protect the state against domestic disorder. He did not require the approval of a federal court, a request from the governor, or congressional authorization.

Question 2

Congress's tendency in recent years to give executive agencies fewer clear guidelines for implementing laws is the result of

Accepted Answer

As the scope and complexity of tasks undertaken by American government have increased, it has become more difficult for Congress to provide clear guidelines for implementing laws. This is because Congress often lacks the specialized expertise necessary to navigate these complex issues and must rely on executive agencies to fill in the gaps. Additionally, Congress may be hesitant to provide overly specific guidelines for fear of stifling innovation or making it more difficult for agencies to adapt to changing circumstances.

Question 3

In United States v. Nixon (1974), the Supreme Court justices

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court justices required Nixon to turn over secret tapes to Congress in United States v. Nixon (1974).

Question 4

When President Lincoln issued a series of executive orders for which he had no clear legal authority during the start of the Civil War, it illustrated the

Accepted Answer

Lincoln's actions demonstrated his inherent powers as president, which are derived from the Constitution and the nature of the executive branch, rather than from any specific law or provision. These powers are often invoked during times of crisis or emergency, such as a war.

Question 5

The Environmental Protection Agency was created in 1970 directly by ________.

Accepted Answer

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created by an executive order from President Richard Nixon in 1970.

Question 6

The ________ asserted that the president could send American troops into action abroad only in the event of a declaration of war or other statutory authorization by Congress, or if American troops were attacked or directly endangered.

Accepted Answer

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 specifically outlines when the president has the authority to send troops into action abroad, requiring a declaration of war or congressional authorization. It also allows Congress to terminate military action if the president does not meet these requirements. The other options listed do not relate to this specific issue.

Question 7

The goal of the War Powers Resolution was to

Accepted Answer

The War Powers Resolution was enacted to limit the power of the president to commit American troops to military action without authorization from Congress. It requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing troops to military action and limits the duration of that action to 60 days, with a possible 30-day extension. If Congress does not authorize the use of military force, the president must withdraw the troops.

Question 8

The Environmental Protection Agency

Accepted Answer

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created in 1970 by President Richard Nixon's executive order. Its primary responsibility is to establish and enforce air and water quality standards. The EPA is an agency of the executive bureaucracy, and all three statements are correct.

Question 9

Congress has successfully overridden a presidential veto ________ times in American history.

Accepted Answer

According to the Congressional Research Service, Congress has successfully overridden a presidential veto 110 times in American history.

Question 10

Which of the following has caused an increase in the president's delegated powers?

Accepted Answer

The increasing scope and complexity of legislation has caused an increase in the president's delegated powers. As Congress passes more complex and detailed legislation, it often delegates rulemaking and implementation authority to executive agencies, giving the president more power to issue executive orders and make policy decisions. Constitutional amendments (A) would require a lengthy and difficult process, and there have been no recent amendments that have significantly expanded presidential power. While the War Powers Resolution (C) attempted to limit the president's power to deploy troops abroad, it has not resulted in a significant increase in delegated powers. The shift toward a more bipartisan political environment in Congress (D) would not necessarily lead to an increase in presidential power.

Question 11

All executive agreements differ from formal treaties in that they

Accepted Answer

Executive agreements are made solely between the president and a foreign leader or government, without the need for Senate approval that is required for formal treaties.

Question 12

What is required for Congress to override a presidential veto?

Accepted Answer

Two-thirds of both houses of Congress is required to override a presidential veto. This is set out in Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution.

Question 13

A pocket veto is a

Accepted Answer

A pocket veto is a veto that occurs automatically if the president does not act on a given piece of legislation passed during the final 10 days of a legislative session. It does not require the president to take any action and cannot be overridden by Congress.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about Congress and the executive branch is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Starting around the time of the New Deal, Congress shifted towards giving executive agencies broad mandates and drafting legislation that provides few clear guidelines for implementation by the executive. This allowed for more discretion and flexibility in implementation, but also led to concerns about executive overreach and lack of accountability.

Question 15

The wars in Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, and Afghanistan were all fought

Accepted Answer

These wars were all fought without a formal declaration of war from Congress, which is required by the Constitution. Instead, they were authorized by other means such as congressional resolutions, executive orders, or international agreements. The War Powers Resolution requires the president to consult with Congress before committing US armed forces to hostilities, but it does not provide a formal declaration of war.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about the presidential veto is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Option C is the most accurate statement as it correctly reflects that the use of the presidential veto varies considerably across presidential administrations. Some Presidents have used the veto more often than others, and the likelihood of the veto being overridden also depends on the political climate and composition of Congress. On average, about 10 percent of vetoes are overridden, suggesting that vetoes are seldom overridden, but not so rarely as stated in option D. Option A, which states that Presidents have used the veto only twice in American history, is inaccurate as Presidents have used the veto over 2,500 times. Option B is also inaccurate as the use of the veto has varied widely across presidential administrations.

Question 17

The State of the Union address is

Accepted Answer

The State of the Union address is mandated by the Constitution in Article II, Section 3, which states that the president "shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."

Question 18

The power to receive ambassadors is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

The power to receive ambassadors is an example of an expressed power, as it is explicitly granted to the President by the U.S. Constitution in Article II, Section 3.

Question 19

Richard Nixon claimed ________ when he refused to turn over secret White House tapes to congressional investigators.

Accepted Answer

Executive privilege allows the President to withhold information from the public or other branches of government in certain circumstances. Nixon argued that the White House tapes were protected by executive privilege, since they were conversations between the President and his advisors. However, this argument did not hold up in court and ultimately contributed to his resignation.

Question 20

A sole executive agreement is a

Accepted Answer

A sole executive agreement is a simple understanding between the president and a foreign state that is not submitted to Congress for approval. It is considered a form of executive branch action that does not require the approval of another branch of government.

Quiz 13: The Presidency