Question 1

The act of Congress declaring that the president can send troops into action abroad only by authorization of Congress or if U.S.troops are already under attack or seriously threatened is known as the

Accepted Answer

This act is commonly referred to as the War Powers Resolution and was passed in 1973 in response to the Vietnam War and concerns about presidential authority to engage military forces without congressional approval. It specifies that the president must report to Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and must withdraw them after 60 days unless Congress approves an extension.

Question 2

Which of the following is a reason that the presidency was relatively weak during the legislative epoch (1800-1933)?

Accepted Answer

During the legislative epoch, there were few important national political or social forces to which presidents could have linked themselves, thus making it difficult for them to assert strong leadership. Additionally, Congress held most of the power during this time period, further weakening the role of the presidency.

Question 3

How was Richard Nixon able to establish the Environmental Protection Agency without having to put a measure before Congress?

Accepted Answer

Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency through an executive order, which is a directive issued by the president without needing approval from Congress. This allowed him to swiftly establish the agency without facing potential opposition or delays from lawmakers.

Question 4

How was the presidency strengthened in the 1830s?

Accepted Answer

The introduction of the national convention system for nominating presidential candidates in the 1830s strengthened the presidency by giving more power to the political parties and allowing for more democratic participation in the selection of presidential candidates. This helped to increase the legitimacy and authority of the president. None of the other options provided any significant increase in presidential power.

Question 5

Who is in the president's Cabinet?

Accepted Answer

The Cabinet consists of the heads of all the major executive departments.

Question 6

The traditional but informal designation for the heads of all the major departments of the federal government in the United States is the

Accepted Answer

The traditional but informal designation for the heads of all the major departments of the federal government in the United States is the Cabinet. This includes the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Treasury, and other key officials who advise the President on policy and manage their respective departments. The Cabinet is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Question 7

Which of the following tasks does the text indicate as an important purpose of the White House staff?

Accepted Answer

The text indicates that an important purpose of the White House staff is to provide information and act as a management tool. The other options listed are either incorrect or do not accurately reflect the text's description of the staff's purpose.

Question 8

The president's inherent power to bring a legislative agenda before Congress is known as the power of

Accepted Answer

The power of legislative initiative allows the president to propose legislation to Congress. It is one of the inherent powers of the presidency and is explicitly stated in Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution. The president can use this power to set the legislative agenda and push for policies that they believe are important for the country. The other choices, such as legislative orders, executive privilege, and executive orders, do not accurately describe the president's power to bring a legislative agenda before Congress.

Question 9

The landmark Supreme Court case National Labor Relations Board v.Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation was significant because it

Accepted Answer

National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation affirmed the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Act and the power of the federal government to regulate the national economy. This marked a shift toward increased federal involvement in economic regulation and labor protections.

Question 10

Most major acts of Congress during the New Deal expanded presidential power because they

Accepted Answer

The major acts of Congress during the New Deal generally authorized the president or new executive agencies to exercise control over the economy but did not specify what the controls had to be. This granted the president a broad power to take action as he saw fit to improve the economy. Examples of this include the National Industrial Recovery Act and the Agricultural Adjustment Act. Additionally, the creation of agencies like the Tennessee Valley Authority gave the president even more control over certain areas of the country.

Question 11

Since it was established by law in 1947,some presidents have relied on an "inner cabinet" composed of the president;vice president;secretaries of state,defense,and treasury;and attorney general.What is this "inner cabinet" known as?

Accepted Answer

The "inner cabinet" that includes the president, vice president, secretaries of state, defense, and treasury, and the attorney general is known as the National Security Council.

Question 12

What is the term for a rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of legislation?

Accepted Answer

Executive orders are directives issued by the president that have the power of law. While they are not technically legislation, they can have a similar effect by setting policies or directing federal agencies to take certain actions.

Question 13

Prior to the New Deal,and consistent with the intent of the Constitution's framers,what was the strongest branch of the government?

Accepted Answer

The framers of the Constitution intended for the legislative branch, as represented by Congress, to be the strongest branch of government. This is evident in their allocation of powers, as Congress was given the power to make laws, declare war, control the budget, and regulate commerce. The other branches, including the executive and the judiciary, were seen as having more limited roles and powers. Prior to the New Deal, the federal government largely adhered to this model, with Congress playing a dominant role in policymaking and the executive branch serving primarily as an executor of Congress' will.

Question 14

The Constitution grants the power to declare war to

Accepted Answer

The Constitution specifically grants the power to declare war to Congress in Article I, Section 8, Clause 11. This power has been interpreted by the courts to mean that only Congress can initiate war or authorize the use of military force abroad. The president, as commander-in-chief, has the authority to control the military and execute military actions once authorized by Congress, but cannot declare war without congressional approval.

Question 15

The clear intent of the framers of the Constitution was for

Accepted Answer

The framers of the Constitution intended for legislative supremacy, as evidenced by the fact that Article I of the Constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of Congress, which is the legislative branch. Additionally, the Constitution grants Congress explicit powers and limits the powers of the other branches. Therefore, D is the best choice.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT in the president's National Security Council?

Accepted Answer

The director of the CIA is not a statutory member of the National Security Council, although they may be invited to attend meetings. The statutory members include the president, vice president, secretary of state, and secretary of defense.

Question 17

The case in which the Supreme Court affirmed a federal role in the regulation of the national economy was

Accepted Answer

National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation established the federal government's power to regulate labor relations in industries that affect interstate commerce, expanding the scope of the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. This landmark case affirmed a federal role in the regulation of the national economy.

Question 18

When President Barack Obama called on Congress to consider major national health care reform within his first year as president,he was exercising the power of

Accepted Answer

The president calling on Congress to consider major national health care reform is an example of a legislative initiative, which is the power of the president to propose legislation to Congress.

Question 19

If a president claims the power to take an action not enumerated in the Constitution,like suspending the writ of habeas corpus,he probably does so by claiming that his action is justified by the president's __________ powers.

Accepted Answer

The term "inherent powers" refers to powers held by a national government because it is the national government of a sovereign state. Inherent powers are not enumerated in the Constitution, but rather are inferred from it, and generally are said to stem from the president's role as commander-in-chief and chief executive. The power to suspend the writ of habeas corpus, for example, has been claimed by presidents in times of war or other crises as an exercise of inherent presidential power.

Question 20

The era of presidential government was launched by the

Accepted Answer

The New Deal, implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, significantly expanded the power and scope of the federal government, including the executive branch. This ushered in the era of presidential government, where the president plays a central role in shaping and implementing policy.

Quiz 6: The Presidency