Understanding the U.S. Government Structure

1. What is the cabinet and what is its relationship, if any, to the Office of the White House? The Cabinet consists of 15 department heads called secretaries(except the Attorney General). These individuals are close advisors to the president and run their own respective departments.

2. How is the president’s cabinet selected and what is its role? The president selects the cabinet. The role of the cabinet is to advise the president and run their respective departments.

3. What are the roles and responsibilities of the staff in the Executive Office of the President? The staff in the EOP are the top advisers of the president and consist of experts who supply needed information to the president.

4. What is a government corporation and in what ways is it similar to a for-profit corporation? A government corporation is a business run by the federal government. They are organized like a for-profit corporation with a board of directors and executives.

5. What are the purposes of the independent agencies, government corporations, and regulatory commissions of the executive branch? Give an example Independent agencies perform services for the executive branch but are not part of the executive departments; the president appoints the head of these agencies. (NASA) Government corporations are more flexible than regular government agencies, they are organized somewhat like private businesses. Each corporation has a board of directors and executive officers who direct the day-to-day operations; the corporations are supported by money from Congress. (USPS) Regulatory commissions are independent of all three branches of the national government, they were created to make rules for large industries and businesses that affect the public; these commissions have the government’s authority to issue licenses and punish people and groups that violate the laws under their authority. (FCC)

6. What does a whistleblower do? A whistleblower is a federal employee who calls attention to government corruption and misconduct.

7. What are the origins of the civil service system? What is the role of the civil service today? The civil service system was created in 1883, a couple of years after President Garfield was assassinated by a former supporter who felt he was entitled to a job. The new president and the public pushed to reform the spoils system, and the civil service was created with the passing of the Pendleton Act. The civil service handles recruitment, pay, retirement policy, and exams for federal workers. It also settles job disputes and investigates complaints from federal workers.

8. What role do presidential appointees play in the executive branch? There are around 3,700 jobs that the president has the opportunity to fill. Some of these include Cabinet secretaries, top-level bureau and agency heads, and ambassadors to foreign countries. There are also more lower-level political positions that the president may fill.

9. How does the federal bureaucracy make, interpret, and implement public policy? Liaison officers work with Congress to draft new bills and testify about legislation, because Congress knows it is important to get the advice of the federal agencies that will administer the laws. Federal bureaucrats then carry out the policy that Congress makes.

10. What is the relationship between interest groups and the federal bureaucracy? Interest groups use various strategies to encourage their members to weigh in on rules that might affect them.

11. How do the strong-mayor system and the weak-mayor system differ? What does Elgin have? The strong mayor system gives the mayor the power to veto measures that the city council passes. The mayor can appoint and fire department heads and high-ranking members of the municipal bureaucracy. A strong mayor can prepare the municipal budget, subject to council approval, and propose legislation to the city council. The mayor usually serves a four-year term. The strong mayor is usually found in large cities. The weak mayor system gives the mayor limited powers. The mayor has little control over the budget or the hiring and firing of municipal personnel. The city council makes most policy decisions, and the mayor’s veto power is limited. The mayor usually serves only a two year term.

12. What are the responsibilities, roles, and powers of governors? Governors are responsible for running the executive branch, influencing the legislature, acting as head of state and head of their political party, leading the state’s National Guard, and serving as a liaison to the national and other state governments. Governors’ powers typically include the power to carry out the law and the power to supervise the executive branch.

13. How does federalism limit the powers of governor? In some states, the legislature must approve gubernatorial pardons and appointments of executive officials or judges. All state legislatures can override a governor’s veto and must approve a budget proposed by a governor. They can also modify it before approval The judicial branch checks the executive by interpreting the executive’s actions. The principle of federalism also limits some powers of the governors.

14. How do local executives exercise power? The powers of local executives are usually set forth in their city or county charters. Some municipalities have an elected mayor, others have an appointed city manager, while still others have an elected panel of commissioners with some executive powers.

15. What does it mean for a candidate to win a plurality vote? Winning a plurality vote means that the candidate has won the largest number of votes in an election.

16. How do local and state executive branch leaders qualify for their positions? In most states, governors must be at least 30 years old, American citizens, and residents of their states for at least five years. Citizenship and residency requirements differ among states. They need to have certain political credentials and leadership experience. Qualifications for mayor vary widely among the many cities in the United States.

17. How are local and state executives elected? State and local officials are directly elected by the people.

18. What is a block grant and how can it provide assistance for families in need? A block grant is a federal payment provided by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, and is meant to provide families with short-term assistance.

19. How do state and local executive branches function? Each executive branch elects or appoints an executive team to run the executive branch.

20. How do state and local governments protect communities? How do state and local governments maintain public schools? The state government provides state police, which are mostly concerned with highway patrol, and the local governments’ police departments handle most day-to-day patrolling, emergency response, and investigation of crimes. The federal government provides about 10% of funding for public schools and local school districts provide most of the money and make key decisions on public school policy.

21. How do state governments regulate businesses? In return for granting a company the right to provide a service, the state assumes the right to regulate the company.

22. What are the responsibilities of local government in regard to land use, infrastructure, and environment? Local governments decide whether available land should be used for new housing, industry, stores, office buildings, or open space, are responsible for maintaining roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems, monitor air and water quality, manage disposal of hazardous wastes, and require impact statements that describe how any major governmental or private project will impact the environment.