Legislative Decision-Making Flashcards

+ can go over Congress and make direct appeals
+can raise constituents to level of awareness
+frame issues and debate
+needs strong congressional leaders to interact with
+views Congress as lieutenants to pass legislation
+potential for quick and overwhelming vote with a majority of one party in Congress

If the parlimentary system disagrees, then the government falls and new elections take place

In a presidential government, the president can actually do things and not be subjected to approval. (but does have to be concerned with other chamber actions)

+has its own independent force
+close connections with committees, subcommittees, and clientel
+President must acknowledge bureaucracy
+clientell must work with congress and president

+effects how Congress behaves
+institutional loyalty (loyal to your chamber)(protect integrity of chamber and committee)
+resiprocity and accomodation (members are to be mutually helpful and considerate to other members' needs)
+specialization (expected to become specialized in your legislation and work hard)
+seniority and apprenticeship (expected to learn from the seniors and their experiences)

Prisoners' dilemna
and
free rider problems

+development occurs over extended time
+most programs come from inside Congress
+ House and Senate party leaders decide what, when, how, and in which order measures should come up for debate.
+Single most important prerogative of the Speaker and Senate majority leader.
+Ex. Obama agenda... National Healthcare
+Agendas are primarily Congress driven

Consolidates budgetary process under executive branch. it required the President to submit to Congress an annual budget for the entire federal government. The Act also created the Bureau of the Budget, now called the Office of Management and Budget, to review funding requests from government departments and assist the president in formulating the budget.

+stabalized policy positions
+strategic positions
+strategic posturing
+President tends to win due to partisan division in Congress
+Ex. Johnson was able to pass segregation/Civil Rights legislation due to partisan in Congress

+President is commander-in-chief to forces (top general)
+Make treaties with advice and consent of Congress
+Receives ambassadors (appoints ambassadors with Congress' advice and consent)
+must take care that laws are executed
+Executive power clause

+declare war
+raise and support and army
+make rules and regulations for armed forces
+budget authority
+advice and consent of ambassadors and treaties
+power of investigation (can conflict with presidential authority)

+decision of 1789, created Secretary of State position
--should be appointed by president with Congress consent, but Constitution doesn't say how to get rid of position
--due to executive power clause, president should be able to fire them
+President is intermediary in dealings with other nations
+Congress can refuse to approve of ambassador or funding for Presidential bill

+negotiated by president... after approval, requires 2/3 Senate vote... Senate can nullify, pass, or support with amendments
+treaties, more prestigious action
+international agreements, binds US to other nations through agreements
+executive agreements, made by President without any Congressional approval and are heavily based upon President's administrative authority

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 is a United States federal law providing that the President can send U.S. armed forces into action abroad only by authorization of Congress or if the United States is already under attack or serious threat. The War Powers Resolution requires that the president notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days without an authorization of the use of military force or a declaration of war.

+single most important thing the President does every year
+Started running deficits in 20th cent
+1921 Budget and Accounting Act
--created bureau budget and Treasury dept.
--previously, Republicans had majority in Congress
+1970 Office of Management Budget
--gives President authority to shift powers in Office of Management Budget
--created a policy analysis branch