Bell Work

Read pages 390 to 392 in your textbooks and answer the critical thinking questions (5 and 6) on page 392.

You will turn this in. (10 points)

To get full credit, you must write in complete sentences, use paragraph form, and have well-thought out ideas.

Growth of Government Power

American GovernmentUnit 4, Lesson 4

Learning Goal

As a result of what we do today, you will be able to explain the reasons for the growth of the American Government over time.

Objectives

Today, we are going to discusses changes in government philosophy, duties, and limited as they have occurred over history.

We will link it the Alien and Sedition Acts, the Patriot Act, No Child Left Behind, immigration, and health care.

Review

In order to prevent a bill passed by Congress from becoming law, the President may

• A. Sign it and attach a veto message.• B. Refuse to sign it and attach a veto

message.• C. Sign it after ten days if Congress is in

session.• D. Negotiate a compromise bill with Congress.

Most measures introduced in the House die at which of these steps?

A. CommitteeB. quorumC. ClotureD. D. floor vote

Conference committees act as a “third house of Congress” when they

• A. Use investigative powers similar to those of the House and Senate.

• B. Screen, debate, and vote on bills.• C. Appoint presiding officers.• D. Produce a compromise bill that both

the House and Senate will accept.

The main reason that Congress creates committees is to

A. Divide the workload.B. Introduce new bills.C. Educate new members.D. Create party power bases.

Growth of Governmental Power

Over time, the power and responsibility of the American Government have grown.

Why do you think the power and responsibility of the government have grown?

Growth of Presidential Power

The President is often called “the most powerful man in the world.”

Do you think the founders intended him to be so? Why or why not?

The founders did put checks on the power of the President.-Congress can override a veto-Senate confirmation of nominees

Presidential Powers

Look at Article II of the Constitution on page 766.

What specific powers is the President granted?

The President’s powers are not spelled out exactly in every instance.

-The powers are broad

Limited Powers?

Look at James Madison’s quote on page 390.

What did he think about the office of the President? Was it weak or strong? Why?

Over time the size and power of the Executive Branch has grown larger and more complex than the Executive Branch the founders organized.

Why has Presidential Power Grown?

Over the course of history, the champions of a stronger presidency have almost always won.

Why do you think this is? (Look at page 391)-Single President-Increasing complexity of social and

economic life in the U.S.-People have demanded that the

government play a bigger role. People look to the President for leadership.

Reasons for growth of Presidential power

-Need for extraordinary and decisive action in time of war or national emergency.

-Congress has delegated authority to enact and carry out laws.

-President’s ability to attract public support.

The President is usually a master at using the mass media to build public support for his policy ideas.

Critics

Critics of the expanding Presidential power have condemned the “imperial presidency.”

What kinds of things do you think of when you hear the term “imperial”?

Sometimes, Presidents have become frustrated with Congress and taken policy matters into their own hands.

Executive Orders

The President can issue executive order that Congress does not have to approve.

Activity 1

Take a copy of the handout about President Obama’s recess appointments.

Underline examples of how he has expanded the President’s power.

Does Congress expand the Government’s power?

Yes!Congress has passed many, many laws that have

expanded the role and power of the government.

Social Security ActAffordable Health Care ActAlien and Sedition Acts

Activity 2

Look at the handouts entitled “Alien and Sedition Acts” and the “Health Care Bill.”

Underline examples of how the acts enlarged the power of the government.

Growth of the Bureaucracy

Over time, the number of Cabinet departments increased because the workload of the federal government grew as the country grew.

Why would the bureaucracy grow?

Why would implied powers increase the size and power of the government?

End of Today’s Notes

Quiz

Write a two paragraph essay. You can use your notes and your book.

Do you think the growth of the power and role of the government in everyday life a good thing? Why or why not?