Congress for Kids: [Executive Branch]: Word Spy

Executive Branch

Introduction The President President's Job, Part I President's Job, Part II President's Cabinet President and Congress Impeachment President Has Fun

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Why can’t U.S. presidents get their way with Congress most of the time?

Congress has enacted legislation to help pay the costs of presidential transition. How long do presidential transitions take and how much do they cost?

Congress established the requirement for an executive budget in 1921 with the enactment of the Budget and Accounting Act. What is the history to the U.S. President's budget prior to that time?

Notable Members of Congress

The President and Congress

Uncle Sam, the word spy, wants you to take a minute and test your knowledge.

Match the word(s) in the left-hand column to complete the questions or statements in the right-hand column. Check your answers.

how to balance the budget	A. Legislation that calls for the President to notify Congress when he deploys combat troops is called the _________.
A divided government	B. Under the Constitution, Congress does not have the power to do what?
Make laws for state governments	C. One of the biggest battles in 1997 between Congress and President Clinton was over __________.
War Powers Act	D. What has been a factor in creating "gridlock" in Congress, thus inhibiting Congress from acting?
Conflict resolution and the legislative process	E. Congress impeaches the President
giving an annual State of the Union address, veto power, and power to call Congress back into session	F. Congress plays a key role in ______.
President breaks a law	G. Which power belongs to the President?

Return to Tour

President Andrew Jackson was the only U.S. Senator from a Confederate state to remain in Congress after secession?

Projects You Can Do

Watch The Congress DVD and learn about President Woodrow Wilson and the Progressive Movement circa 1913 (The Congress 0:47:05) or about President Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal of the 1930s (The Congress 0:51:00).

Who were key leaders in Congress? What goals did they share with the president? What important legislation passed? Why was the opposition unsuccessful? Form conclusions as to why the President and Congress were able to work together. Is such cooperation desirable in all cases?

Awards