Why was the Senate given the power of advice and consent?
A) The Framers wanted the Senate to have complete control over executive departments.
B) The Framers wanted the Senate to be able to check executive power.
C) The Framers wanted the Senate to be able to run criminal background checks on nominees.
D) The Framers wanted the Senate to work closely with executive departments.
B) The Framers wanted the Senate to be able to check executive power.
Which statement best describes how the executive branch has changed over the years?
A) The executive branch has delegated the role of execution and enforcement of laws to the legislative branch.
B) The executive branch has combined its executive departments and agencies to make government more efficient.
C) The executive branch has decreased its executive departments and agencies to make state governments more powerful.
D) The executive branch has increased its executive departments and agencies to respond to the country’s changing needs.
D) The executive branch has increased its executive departments and agencies to respond to the country’s changing needs.
Which executive agency had to adapt to new scientific advancement in television, internet, and radio?
A) Food and Drug Administration
B) Department of Labor
C) NASA
D) Federal Communications Commission
D) Federal Communications Commission
B) The Framers wanted the Senate to be able to check executive power.
The correct answer is B) The Framers wanted the Senate to be able to check executive power.
To understand why the Senate was given the power of advice and consent, it helps to look at the context in which the U.S. Constitution was written. The Framers of the Constitution were concerned about creating a system of government that would prevent the concentration of power in any one branch. They wanted to establish a system of checks and balances, where each branch of government could counterbalance the others and prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Therefore, the power of advice and consent was given to the Senate as a way to check the power of the executive branch, specifically the President. The President has the power to appoint various officials, such as Cabinet members, federal judges, and ambassadors. However, the Senate must confirm these appointments by giving their advice and consent.
This process serves as a crucial check on the President's power, ensuring that appointments are not made solely at the discretion of the President. The Senate's role in providing advice and consent allows for a more deliberative and collaborative process, where different perspectives and considerations can be taken into account.
By giving the Senate the power of advice and consent, the Framers aimed to create a system in which no single branch could unilaterally wield excessive power and to ensure that executive power is checked and balanced by legislative oversight.