Question 1

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 Secretaries of State, Defense, Treasury, and others. The Cabinet advises the President on policy matters related to their respective departments.

Question 2

In addition to holding committee hearings and revising laws that delegate authority, what is one of the tactics Congress uses to oversee the exercise of delegated power to the executive branch?

Accepted Answer

By controlling the budget of executive branch agencies, Congress can limit their ability to exercise delegated power and ensure that they are using their resources appropriately. This is a key tactic in overseeing the actions of the executive branch. The other choices, reducing salaries, directing the Inspector General to subpoena records, and firing leaders of agencies are all possible actions Congress could take, but they are not typically used as primary tactics of oversight.

Question 3

Who is automatically in the president's Cabinet?

Accepted Answer

The heads of all the major executive departments are automatically in the president's Cabinet. Choices A and B refer to top White House staff, which may or may not be members of the Cabinet. Choice D is not accurate as congressional leaders and heads of party organizations are not automatically members of the Cabinet.

Question 4

What is the largest and most important agency in the Executive Office of the President?

Accepted Answer

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is the largest and most important agency in the Executive Office of the President. It is responsible for preparing the President's annual budget proposal and for overseeing the implementation of the President's policies across the federal government. The OMB also plays a key role in coordinating the activities of other executive agencies and in providing guidance on a variety of policy areas.

Question 5

Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats explaining his policies over the radio are an example of what presidential tactic?

Accepted Answer

Going public refers to a tactic where the president addresses the public directly in order to gain support for their policies. Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats were a prime example of going public.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

The case affirmed a federal role in regulating the national economy by upholding the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Act, which established the National Labor Relations Board to regulate labor-management relations and prevent unfair labor practices. The Supreme Court's decision in this case marked a significant expansion of federal power in labor relations and economic regulation.

Question 7

George W. Bush relied too heavily on his staff for information about weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in Iraq, and he invaded Iraq to remove a nonexistent threat. This reliance exemplified the trade-off between

Accepted Answer

The trade-off being exemplified here is between relying on the expertise of in-house staff, who may have their biases and limitations in providing information, and seeking out independent outside opinion that could provide a more objective view. In this case, Bush relied too heavily on his staff's flawed intelligence reports, which led to a costly and controversial decision to go to war with Iraq.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Many of the major acts of Congress during the New Deal, such as the National Industrial Recovery Act and the Agricultural Adjustment Act, granted the president or new executive agencies broad control over the economy. However, they did not specify exactly what types of controls the president could exercise, effectively expanding presidential power. This was particularly evident in the case of Franklin Roosevelt, who used this newfound authority to implement his ambitious economic programs.

Question 9

The New Deal shifted the national structure from a Congress-centered government to a president-centered government. This historical shift and the inability of any modern government to return to a Congress-centered government is an example of

Accepted Answer

Path dependency refers to the idea that historical events and decisions have lasting effects on the current structure of institutions or systems. In this case, the New Deal's shift toward a president-centered government has had lasting effects, making it difficult for any modern government to return to a Congress-centered government. This is an example of path dependency because previous decisions have locked in a particular path of institutional development. The other answer choices do not fit as well with this scenario.

Question 10

The set of permanent agencies (such as the Office of Management and Budget) that perform defined management tasks for the president and comprise a major part of the so-called institutional presidency is known as the

Accepted Answer

The Executive Office of the President (EOP) is the set of permanent agencies that perform defined management tasks for the president and comprise a major part of the institutional presidency. The EOP includes agencies such as the Office of Management and Budget, the National Security Council, and the Council of Economic Advisers. The White House staff refers specifically to the president's personal advisers and aides, while the kitchen cabinet is an informal term used to describe a president's close circle of friends and informal advisers.

Question 11

Which of the following is required by law to be part of the president's National Security Council?

Accepted Answer

The vice president is required by law to be part of the president's National Security Council. The other options listed are not required by law to be part of the NSC.

Question 12

What is the primary difference between White House staff and other advisers from cabinet departments or the Executive Office of the President?

Accepted Answer

White House staff members are typically more focused on the president's political and partisan interests, while advisers from cabinet departments or other parts of the Executive Office of the President are often focused on specific policy areas or functions of government. White House staff also tend to have more direct access to the president and are often closer to him or her politically.

Question 13

The era of presidential government was launched by the

Accepted Answer

The era of presidential government was launched by the New Deal, which was implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. This period saw a significant expansion in the power and authority of the presidency and the federal government in general.

Question 14

On February 24, 2015, President Barack Obama sided with environmental groups when he signed a high-profile veto against which bill?

Accepted Answer

President Obama's veto in 2015 was against the Keystone XL pipeline authorization bill, which would have allowed for the construction of a pipeline to transport oil from Canada to the Gulf Coast of the United States. Environmental groups had long opposed the pipeline due to the potential environmental impact and dependence on fossil fuels.

Question 15

While the president remains in office, which of the following is the primary constitutional role of the vice presidency?

Accepted Answer

According to the Constitution, the primary role of the vice president is to preside over the Senate and to cast tie-breaking votes in the event of a tie. While the vice president may also have other duties, such as serving on the National Security Council or representing the United States in diplomatic settings, these responsibilities are not outlined in the Constitution as the primary role of the vice president.

Question 16

The Office of Management and Budget does which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is responsible for helping the president develop a budget proposal and overseeing federal spending. It plays a critical role in formulating budget and management policies, as well as evaluating and overseeing their implementation across the executive branch. While the OMB does monitor federal spending to ensure that it is consistent with the president's budget, it does not enforce the constitutional mandate for a balanced federal budget.

Question 17

Since it was established by law in 1947, presidents have relied on an inner cabinet composed of the president; vice president; secretaries of state, defense, and treasury; and the attorney general for foreign policy decisions. What is the term for this inner cabinet?

Accepted Answer

The term for the inner cabinet composed of the president, vice president, secretaries of state, defense, and treasury, and the attorney general for foreign policy decisions is the National Security Council (NSC). The NSC was established by law in 1947 and serves as the principal forum for the president to make national security and foreign policy decisions. The other options listed are incorrect. The kitchen cabinet refers to an informal group of advisors to the president. The Executive Office of the President is a group of agencies that serve the president, including the White House Office and the Office of Management and Budget. The Office of Legislative Affairs is responsible for coordinating the president's interactions with Congress.

Question 18

Which of the following is a reason 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, making it difficult for them to exert significant influence and assert their authority. This was compounded by the fact that Congress was more dominant than the presidency during this period, further limiting the power of the executive branch.

Question 19

A major 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 and Laughlin Steel Corporation was a landmark case in which the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Act, which empowered the federal government to regulate labor relations and collective bargaining in the private sector. This decision signaled a shift towards greater federal intervention in the national economy and marked a departure from earlier rulings that had struck down New Deal programs.

Question 20

What is the main value of the vice presidency as a political resource for the president?

Accepted Answer

The main value of the vice presidency as a political resource for the president is electoral. By selecting a running mate who can appeal to a key demographic or geographic area, the president can increase their chances of winning the election. The vice president can also campaign on behalf of the ticket, further amplifying the message and visibility of the campaign.

Quiz 7: The Presidency As an Institution