U.S. Citizenship Civics Test The President and the Executive Branch Summary

The President is elected for four years.

Wrong choices

• Six (6) years: Six years is a senator's term.
• Two (2) years: Two years is a House member's term.
• Eight (8) years: A President may serve two terms (eight years), but each election is for four years.

The President vetoes bills. A veto means the President says no to a bill from Congress.

Wrong choices

• The Speaker of the House: The Speaker leads the House but cannot veto bills.
• The Supreme Court: The Supreme Court decides cases. It does not veto bills.
• The Vice President: The Vice President does not veto bills.

If the President can no longer serve, the Vice President becomes President.

Wrong choices

• The Speaker of the House: The Speaker is next after the Vice President, not first.
• The Chief Justice: The Chief Justice leads the Supreme Court and is not in line to become President.
• The Secretary of State: The Secretary of State comes after the Vice President and the leaders of Congress.

The President is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military.

Wrong choices

• The Vice President: The Vice President is not the Commander in Chief.
• The Chief Justice: The Chief Justice leads the Supreme Court, not the military.
• The Speaker of the House: The Speaker leads the House, not the military.

The President signs bills to make them laws. Congress passes a bill first, and then the President signs it.

Wrong choices

• The Chief Justice: The Chief Justice leads the Supreme Court and does not sign bills.
• The Speaker of the House: The Speaker leads the House, but the President signs bills into law.
• The Vice President: The Vice President does not sign bills into law.

The President can veto bills. A veto means the President rejects a bill passed by Congress.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Signs bills into law, Enforces laws, Commander in Chief (of the military), Chief diplomat, Appoints federal judges.

Wrong choices

• Declares war: Only Congress can declare war.
• Decides if a law goes against the Constitution: That is the job of the courts.
• Chooses the members of Congress: Voters elect members of Congress.

The Cabinet is one part of the executive branch.
Other answers USCIS accepts: President (of the United States), Federal departments and agencies.

Wrong choices

• Supreme Court: The Supreme Court is part of the judicial branch.
• Senate: The Senate is part of Congress, the legislative branch.
• House of Representatives: The House is part of Congress, the legislative branch.

The President's Cabinet advises the President. Cabinet members lead the major federal departments.

Wrong choices

• Writes the nation’s laws: Congress writes laws.
• Decides court cases: Courts decide cases.
• Elects the President: The Electoral College decides who is elected President.

The President can serve only two terms because of the 22nd Amendment. The limit keeps the President from becoming too powerful.
Other answer USCIS accepts: To keep the president from becoming too powerful.

Wrong choices

• Because of the 19th Amendment: The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.
• Because of the 14th Amendment: The 14th Amendment is about citizenship.
• Because of the 1st Amendment: The 1st Amendment protects freedoms like speech and religion.

The President appoints federal judges. The Senate then votes to approve them.

Wrong choices

• The Chief Justice: The Chief Justice does not appoint judges.
• The Speaker of the House: The Speaker has no power to appoint judges.
• The voters of each state: Federal judges are not elected by voters. The President appoints them.