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Activity - 4.2 Reading

  1. What is the Title of this chart?
    1. 2018 AP United States Government and Politics Free-Response Questions
  2. What is the Information presented in the chart?
    1. The number of vetoes the president made and were overridden
    2. X Axis - The number of vetos
    3. Y Axis - Presidents
    4. Sorted by veto number
  3. What is the Pattern present in the chart?
    1. In the past presidents passed more vetos
    2. The more vetos passed the more vetoes overridden
    3. Bill Clinton gets vetoed a lot for the number of vetos he makes
  4. What is the Conclusion you can draw from this chart?
    1. Presidents who make more vetos are generally more likely to be overridden
    2. Presidents who make more vetos get more congressional feedback
    3. A congress that is active enough to make enough veto-able bills are also able to override more often
Section Says Means Matters
Commander in Chief The president is the Commander in Chief and cannot declare wars. Though a “war” is only offensive. The president can do lots of “war-like” things so long as it’s to “defend” America It means that the president has some tactics to bypass congress when it comes to military action, which fundamentally shifts the checks and balances.
Chief Diplomat Normally for foreign agreements senate approval is needed but the president can use an executive agreement to bypass it The president has a way to make simple agreements with other world leaders It matters because if they didn’t have this ability then every step of a discussion would have to be taken to Congress, which may compromise the disussion entirely.
Executive Powers and Policy - the Panama Canal This section displays 2 methods of acting, one is direct and the other is more subtle & uses Congress While slighting Congress may not be the best checks and balances wise, it does get results. BUT the normal way that abides by Congress’ wishes is also good It matters because if there wasn’t any variance in methods then it’d be difficult to achieve anything.

Activity - 1 (2.5)

President's Checks on Congress Congress' Checks on the President President's Checks on the Supreme Court Supreme Court's Checks on the President.
Calls a Special Session of Congress Writes the budget Nominates judges Declares an Executive Order Unconstitutional
Vetoes Legislation Overrides a Veto
Negotiates Treaties Confirms Judges
Ratifies Treaties Impeachment of the President
Confirming Ambassadors
Confirming Cabinet Officials
Approves the Budget

<aside>

2.5 - Concept Application Question

On November 9, 2014, President Barack Obama nominated Loretta Lynch to replace Eric Holder as United States Attorney General. President Obama described Ms. Lynch’s qualifications for the position, including a 30-year career as a tough, fair, independent lawyer who trice headed one of the most prominent U.S. Attorney’s offices in the country, and noted that she had “spent her life fighting for fair and equal justice that is the foundation of our democracy.”

Ms. Lynch commented, “The Department of Justice was the only Cabinet Department named for an ideal. And this is actually appropriate, because our work is both aspirational, and grounded in gritty reality. It’s both ennobling and profoundly challenging.” Ms. Lynch would become the second woman and second African American to serve as Attorney General.

After reading the scenario, please respond to A, B, and C below.

  1. Referencing the scenario, describe the constitutional process necessary for Loretta Lynch to be confirmed after being nominated, and explain how this process demonstrates the concept of checks and balances.

    1. She firsts need to be appointed by the president, then congress approves the nominee. This demonstrates checks and balances as it has the president trying to do something that would impact the country and needing his work to be overseen and checked by another branch.

  2. Explain why the power being used in this scenario is given to the president.

    1. It’s given to the president because the president will need to work with this hire closely for a long period of time; the potential member would need to proven capable and it is the president’s duty to ensure that he hires appropriate staff.

  3. Describe how the qualifications of Loretta Lynch mentioned in the scenario match the role for which she has been nominated, and explain how she could influence the executive branch in her role.

    1. Ms. Lynch had an array of achievements as a attorney, this makes her a qualified hire for the Department of Justice as it would also handle judicial issues and would need someone with experience in the field as they would best be trained to deal with the issues. She acts as the advisor for all things legal, it would give the president someone who they could rely on to give accurate information and guide them into making the best choices. </aside>