Unit 6: Executive Branch Review

One of the 15 departments of the executive branch (State, Treasury, DOD, DOJ, Interior, Ag, Commerce, Labor, HHS, Homeland Security, HUD, Ed, Energy, Transportation, Vet Affairs)

• Federal Bureaucracy

• Government Corporation

• Cabinet Department

• Independent Executive Agency

An agency of government that administers a business-like enterprise whose activities are primarily commercial.

• Federal Bureaucracy

• Government Corporation

• Cabinet Department

• Independent Executive Agency

A government agency or commission with regulatory power whose independence is protected by Congress. (FCC, FTC, etc.)

• Independent Regulatory Commission

• Issue Network

• Iron Triangle

• Merit System (Civil Service)

Federal bureaucracy

• The departments and agencies within the executive branch that carry out the laws of the nation.

• Webs of influence between interest groups, policymakers, and policy advocates.

• A system of hiring and promotion based on competitive testing results, education, and other qualifications rather than politics and personal connections.

• The merit-based bureaucracy, excluding the armed forces and political appointments.

Independent Executive Agencies

• Federal agencies that aren't large or important enough to get department status. Directors appointed by President w/ advice & consent of Senate. Ex. NASA, CIA, Social Security Administration

• Coast Guard (Homeland Security), FBI and DEA (Justice), IRS (Treasury), Army/Navy and NSA (Defense), National Parks Service (Interior)

• the president's spokesperson to the media

• the person who oversees the operations of all White House staff and controls access to the president

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are examples of

• independent agencies

• cabinet departments

• congressional committees

• Executive Office bureaus

What are the heads of 14 out of 15 cabinet departments called?

• Secretary of ...

• Head of ...

• Leader of ...

• Manager of ...

What is the cabinet's main job?

• advise the president on important policy issues

• determine if laws are constitutional

• makes laws

• inform the president of his/her approval ratings

How are cabinet members chosen?

• Nominated by the President, confirmed by the Senate

• Voted on by the American people

• Selected by the Supreme Court

• Nominated by the Senate, confirmed by the House of Representatives

In order to be President, you must be a US citizen for ...

• your whole life (natural born citizen)

• Vice President

• 2/3 years

• 9 years