Thursday, January 15, 2015

Chapter 13 Part III

Terms


House Ways and Means Committee
Senate Finance Committee
Congressional Budget Office
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
budget resolution
budget reconciliation
authorization bill
appropriations bill
continuing resolutions


Questions

Why are there so many different influencers of the federal budget?  Choose three that were mentioned on pp. 462-463 and explain why they are important contributors to the budgetary process.

What are the various ways Congress works to ensure a budget resolution?

How does the size of government impact its budget?

Chapter 13 Part II

Terms

Military industrial complex
Social Security Act
Medicare
Incrementalism
Uncontrollable expenditures
Entitlement Programs

Question

Why has defense spending steadily increased since the end of World War II?

Chapter 13 Part I

Terms

Income tax
Sixteenth Amendment
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Progressive Income Tax
Social Insurance Tax
National Debt
Debt Ceiling
Capital Budget
Tax Expenditures
Tax Reduction
Tax Reform Act of 1986


Friday, January 9, 2015

Chapter 12 Part V

No New Terms

Questions

How does the presidents frequent interactions with the public influence his ability to work with Congress?

Why is a president's approval rating typically higher at the beginning of his term?

How does the White House staff influence the press's ability to represent the president?

Is the modern presidency a threat to or a preserver of democracy?

Chapter 12 Part IV

Terms

War Powers Resolution
Legislative Veto

Questions

How have the president's war powers expanded beyond the powers defined by the Constitution?  What is the difference between a treaty and an executive agreement?

Why is a president now able to use military force even without a formal declaration of war?

Why has the war powers resolution been relatively ineffective?

How is the president's role as crisis manager integral to his expanded foreign policy power?

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Chapter 12 Part III

Terms

Veto
Pocket veto
electoral mandates
coattail effect

Questions

What are the expectations for the president based on the Constitution, and how have they evolved past that, giving the president more powers?

To what extent can a president rely on the full support of his party on his policy agenda?

To what extent does the coattail effect play into the elections of Congressmen?

How do public opinion and election results impact Congress's willingness to support the presidential agenda?

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Chapter 12 Part II

Terms

Executive Orders
Cabinet
National Security Council
Council of Economic Advisors
Office of Management and Budget

Questions

Why does the president issue executive orders and how are executive orders different from congressional laws?

What is the vice-president's job according to the constitution, and how have more recent vice-presidents' roles expanded?

What are the major policymaking bodies of the Executive Office to the President and how do their roles go beyond the actions of the cabinet departments?

How has the role of the First Lady expanded in recent times?  Give an example of how a recent First Lady has impacted policy.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Chapter 12 Part I

Terms

22nd Amendment
25th Amendment
Impeachment
Watergate

Questions

Why was the 22nd Amendment ratified, and how might it have reflected FDR's presidency versus ideal presidential authority?

How were the rules for presidential succession vague prior to the 25th Amendment?

On what grounds can a president be impeached?  Why can a president be impeached for an act that is NOT criminal?

What are the general powers given to the president by the Constitution.  What kinds of circumstances have allowed presidents to assume additional powers (give an example)?