1) Why is the US Congress called a ‘bicameral legislature’?
2) Which of the two Houses is less (more) numerous?
3) How is each state represented in the Senate and in the House of Representatives?
4) How often are Congressional elections held?
5) How many Senators (Representatives) are reelected every two years?
6) Who presides in the Senate and in the House of Representatives?
7) What is the function of a president pro tempore?
8) What are the functions of Congress under the Constitution?
9) When does a new Congress commence and how long does it last?
10) What is the Congressional Record and what does it contain?
11) What is the difference between a standing and a select committee?
12) What are special functions of the Senate?
9.3. Learn more about the US Executive.
A) Study the following words before reading the text.
| 1 presidency 2 Inauguration 3 President-elect 4 disabled 5 Acting President 6 sole power 7office 8 to take office 9 to be removed from office 10 to resign 11 offences 12reprieves 13pardons 14 Attorney General 15counsels | - президентство, - инаугурация (торжественная церемония вступления в должность) - избранный, но не вступивший в должность - недееспособный - исполняющий обязанности президента - единоличная власть - зд. должность - вступать в должность - быть смещенным с должности - уходить в отставку - правонарушения - отсрочки исполнения наказания - помилования - Генеральный прокурор - советники |
B) Now read the following text for obtaining information. Use a dictionary if necessary.
The US Executive
Administration’ is a popular term to identify the executive branch of the federal government of the United States, which includes the President, Vice-President, President’s Cabinet and the personnel of the twelve departments. It is responsible for administering and executing the laws. The term ‘ government’, however, regarding the US political system, refers to all three branches.
The presidency of the United States is the highest governmental office (position). Under the Constitution, the President must be a natural-born citizen of the USA, at least 35 years old, and for at least 14 years aresident of the United States. The 20th Amendment makes noon on January 20, every four years, the time for the beginning of presidential terms. The 22nd Amendment limits the President to two terms. At noon on January 20 (‘Inauguration Day’) the President-elect takes his office and is sworn to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. The President can be removed from office by impeachment proceedings.
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The President performs many important functions in the exercise of his office. He is the Chief of State, Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He is empowered to appoint heads of executive departments, diplomats, and federal judges. These appointments, however, must be approved by the Senate. He has sole power to sign treaties with foreign nations, with the advice and consent of the Senate andgrants reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States. The President participates directly in the legislative process – he is empowered to approve any bill passed by Congress by signing it or disapprove and veto it.
The President and Vice-President are elected as a team by the population every four years. Under the Constitution, the only duties of theVice-President are to preside over the Senate; to vote in that body in case of a tie; and under the 25th Amendment, to help decide whether the President is disabled, and if so, to serve as Acting President. However, if the President dies, resigns or is removed from office, the Vice-President becomes President. The Vice-President tends to be the forgotten man of American politics, because of his lack of power.
The US President is assisted in administration by a Cabinet of 10-12 members. All members of the Cabinet except one, the Attorney General, are called Secretaries: Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, and others. American Secretaries correspond to European ministers. Cabinet officials are appointed by the President and serve during his term. The members of the Cabinet are all heads of the executive departments.
Currently there are 12 departments within the Executive branch. Among the most important departments are the State Department, responsible for American foreign policy; the Department of Defense or the Pentagon; the Department of Justice headed by the Attorney General, etc.
In addition to Secretaries, the President has the so-called ‘ inner Cabinet’. It is the name given to the President’s immediate assistants and various counsels (advisors) on different aspects of home and foreign policy.