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Архитектура Аудит Военная наука Иностранные языки Медицина Металлургия Метрология Образование Политология Производство Психология Стандартизация Технологии |
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Архитектура Аудит Военная наука Иностранные языки Медицина Металлургия Метрология Образование Политология Производство Психология Стандартизация Технологии |
The table below may be helpful.
A Typical Way a Bill Becomes Law
DEVELOPMENT. 9.1 Do you know anything about ‘lobbying’? a) Read this short extract to check your ideas. LOBBYISTS In the previous centuries people who wanted to hand in petitions went to Washington, to the Capitol and there (in the lobby of the Capitol) met the Congressmen from their states. The tradition is still alive, only today it is big corporations, social organizations, foreign diplomats, etc. who try to influence law-making in their favor. This is done with the help of lobbyists who arrange meetings with Congressmen, and through bribery and persuasion make them vote for legislation favorable to the group they represent. Practically lobbyism (backstage influencing of legislation) has become legal. A 1946 law requires all lobbyists to register with the clerks of both chambers of Congress, and to give annual reports of the money used for this or that bill. However, the most effective lobbyists seldom do it. They prefer to remain, if possible, invisible. The lobbyists often say that their role in government is greatly misunderstood. They only exercise their constitutional right of petition. The First Amendment guarantees “the right of people peacefully to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. The Founding Fathers of the Constitution did not foresee that this amendment would be distorted. b) Choose the correct alternative for each of the following: 1) Lobbyists are … a) members of Congress b) foreign diplomats c) people who try to influence law-makers on behalf of those whose interests they represent 2) Lobbying is … a) meeting in the lobby b) influencing legislation c) law-making 3) In the United States lobbying is … a) provided by the Constitution b) illegal c) legal under the 1946 law 4) The most successful lobbyists … a) try to go around the law b) keep within the law
c) Translate the extract into Russian in writing. 10. PRESENTATION. Describe the legislative process in American Congress. ******************************************* AMERICAN HUMOUR A surgeon, an architect, and a politician were arguing about whose profession was the oldest. The surgeon said: “Eve was made from Adam’s rib, and that surely was a surgical operation.” “Maybe, ” said the architect. “But prior to that, order was created out of chaos, and that was an architectural job.” “But, ” interrupted the politician, “somebody created the chaos first! ” “Pa, what is a politician? ” “Son, a politician is a human machine with a wagging tongue.” “Then, what is a statesman? ” “It is an ex - politician who has mastered the art of holding his tongue.” “I have decided, ” remarked Senator Blank, “to train my memory.” “What system will you use? ” “I don’t know. I’m looking for one that will enable me, when I am interviewed, to remember what to forget.” “Father”, said the small boy, “what is a demagogue? ” “A demagogue, my son, is a man who can rock the boat himself and persuade everybody that there is a terrible storm at sea.” “What makes you think the baby is going to be a great politician? ” asked the young mother. “I’ll tell you”, answered the young father, “he can say more things that sound well and mean nothing at all than any kid I ever saw.” Father was busy reading the latest political news in the evening paper. His young son came over to him and pleaded, “Please, daddy, tell me that story about the Forty Thieves.” Father, his mind still on what he had been reading, shook his head and said, “No, son; may be when you are a little older. You are still too young to understand politics.” The Congressman was delivering a windy speech of welcome to some soldiers back from war. “We are really one, my friends, ” he declared pompously, “in that we all love our country dearly and are willing to shed our last drop of blood for it.” “Did you ever notice, ” whispered one soldier to another, “that those who are always shouting about shedding their last drop of blood are damned particular about shedding the first? ”
UNIT V
THE US EXECUTIVE
The chief executives in America are the President, the governors, and the mayors. All of these officials have the common feature of playing the major role of chief executive for their level of government, as well as a number of other roles which place the executive front and center on the public stage. Attention in this Unit will focus on the presidency, but many of the basic features of this office will apply to the other executive officers in the political system.
TEXT 1. THE ADMINISTRATION 1. BEFORE READING. All the words and phrases in the box below come from the text you are going to read. Check that you understand their meaning.
2.FIRST READING. Skim the text. ‘Administration’ is a popular term to identify the executive branch of the federal government of the US, 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. 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 a resident 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 Oath of the President: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” 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 and grants reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States. The President participates directly in the legislative process and proposes his legislative program which is announced at a joint session of Congress in January. The President and Vice-President are elected as a team by the population every four years. Under the Constitution, the only duties theVice-Presidenthas to perform are to preside over the Senate; to vote in that body in case of a tie vote; 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. The Government positions held by members of the Cabinet are: Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General and others. American Secretaries correspond to European ministers. Cabinet officials are appointees of the President and serve during his term. When the President’s service ends, it is customary for them to resign, so that the new President can appoint new heads of 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, Treasury, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, etc. Each department is established by law, and as their names indicate, each is responsible for a specific area. Unlike British Ministers who appear before Parliament, Secretaries of the US Cabinet cannot appear on the floor of either House. Having the ‘privilege of the floor’ means only the privilege of being in the chamber while the House is in session, it doesn’t carry with it the right to speak. Only members of Congress have the right to have the floor. Cabinet members, however, do appear before committees of the two Houses to give testimony and they may visit either House while in session. Congressional committees call department heads and other executive officers to testify on bills being considered in order to obtain the information necessary to enact needed legislation. In addition to Secretaries, the President has an ‘inner Cabinet’, the so-called White House Office. It is the name given to the President’s immediate assistants and various counsels on different aspects of home and foreign policy. The President’s Press Secretary, for example, is called upon to explain what the President meant or intended to say. Those advisers who have the ear of the President become powerful extensions of presidential power. The size of the White House Office varies with each President.
3. SCANNING READING. Scan the text to find the following information: 1. Names which refer to persons who are part of the executive. 2. Names which refer to bodies which are part of the executive. 4. READING FOR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING. Read the text again to choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences below. 1. The executive branch of the US federal government is termed as … a) government b) administration c) presidency 2. The Constitution limits the President’s service to … years. a) 2 b) 4 c) 8 3. The Vice-President of the US is … a) appointed by the President b) elected by the people c) chosen by the legislature 4. The US heads of the executive departments are referred to as … a) ministers b) chiefs c) secretaries 5. The White House Office is made up of … a) Cabinet members b) President’s advisers c) President’s Press Secretary and other Secretaries WORD STUDY. 5.1 Study the meanings of the words, then choose the proper meaning of each word in the sentences below.
1. The President must be for at least 14 years a resident of the United States. 2. The man was neither a citizen nor a permanent resident of the country. 3. The witness swore to tell the truth, the only truth and nothing but the truth. 4. Mrs. Robinson swore at the policeman so violently that he arrested her. 5. “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States.” 6. In the United States people sentenced to death are executed by electric chair or lethal injection. 7. The President performs many important functions in the exercise of his office. 8. The doctor advised her to take more exercise. 9. The man performed skillfully on the flute. 10. American Secretaries correspond to European ministers. 11. Ms. Sharon has been his private secretary for many years. 12. I have an appointment with my dentist at 3 pm. 13. President’s appointments of high governmental officers must be approved by the Senate. 14. The US President is assisted in administration by a Cabinet of 10-12 members. 15. Currently there are 12 departments within the Executive branch. 16. A department store is a large shop where many kinds of goods are sold in different departments. 17. We are 3rd-Year students of the law department. 18. Unlike British Ministers who appear before Parliament, Secretaries of the US Cabinet cannot appear on the floor of either House. 19. He promised to be here at four but didn’t appear until six. 20. The defendant failed to appear before the court. 21. The house appeared to be deserted. 22. The ‘White House Office’ is the name given to the President’s immediate assistants and various counsels on different aspects of home and foreign policy. 23. In criminal trials the Counsel for the Defense speaks for the defendant and the Counsel for the Prosecution speaks against the defendant.
5.2 Match the following words and word combinations from the text to their definitions.
5.3 Work out the probable meaning of the following phrases from the text. a popular term to identify the executive branch; the highest governmental office; under the Constitution; the President-elect takes his office; performs many important functions in the exercise of his office; is empowered; with the advice and consent of the Senate; to appoint heads of the executive departments; sole power to sign treaties with foreign nations; with the approval of the Senate; grants reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States; are elected as a team; to preside over the Senate; in case of a tie vote; to help decide whether the President is disabled; to serve as Acting President; resigns or is removed from office; because of his lack of power; he is assisted in administration; the Government positions held by members of the Cabinet; appointees of the President; it is customary for them to resign; unlike; appear before Parliament; the ‘privilege of the floor’; to have the floor; to give testimony; while in session; in addition to; an inner Cabinet; immediate assistants and various counsels; he is called upon; have the ear of the President; powerful extensions of presidential power; 5.4 Choose the words from the list to fill in the gaps. Attorney; floor; lack; President; Justice; Day; natural - born; Office; have the ear; Commander - in - Chief; Acting; Department; elect; counsels;
5.5 Fill in the prepositions from the list where necessary. before; with; from; for; in; to; of; upon; on; at; over; under; by; to be responsible … sth; to limit sb … sth; … noon … January 20; … the advice and consent of the Senate; … the Constitution; to preside … the Senate; … case … a tie vote; to be removed … office; to be assisted … sth; to correspond … sth; to appear … Parliament; to appear … the floor … either House; … addition … sb (sth); counsels … different aspects; to call … sb; 6. LANGUAGE REVIEW: STRUCTURE. Study the phrases from the text which contain the pronouns. Decide what or who in the text each pronoun refers to. Example: a) which includes the President, Vice-President and President’s Cabinet Answer: which refers to the executive branch of the US federal government. a) Cabinet officials serve during his term b) I do solemnly swear c) to the best of my ability d) in the exercise of his power e) he is the Chief of State f) his lack of power g) it is customary for them to resign h) who appear before Parliament i) it doesn’t carry with it the right to speak j) they may visit either House while in session. k) who have the ear of the President READING FOR DETAIL. 7.1 Read the text carefully to decide whether the following statements are True or False . Correct the false ones. 1. The executive branch of power in the United States, as well as in Britain, is referred to as ‘government’. 2. The US President is elected each odd-numbered year. 3. When the President takes his office he is sworn to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. 4. The President’s powers of appointment of high governmental officers are practically unlimited. 5. The Vice-President is appointed by the President from among the members of his team. 6. The Vice-President is a very powerful person in the US political system. 7. Once the President is found disabled, the Vice-President becomes President. 8. Cabinet officials are appointed by the President and serve during his term. 9. Both British and American Cabinet members have the ‘privilege of the floor’ which carries with it the right to speak in the chamber. 10. Those advisers who have the President’s special favorable attention become powerful extensions of presidential power.
7.2 Answer the following questions. 1. What is the composition of the executive branch of the US federal government? 2. What is the major responsibility of the executive branch? 3. What is the highest governmental office in the United States? Can you give the name of the person who now holds this office? 4. Who can be qualified for the presidency? 5. When does the President’s term of office begin? How long does it last? 6. To how many terms does the Constitution limit the President? 7. What are the President’s functions and powers? 8. How do you understand the following paraphrase of a well-known saying with regard to American system of government: ‘The President proposes, but Congress disposes’? 9. What are the Vice-President’s constitutional powers and duties? 10. What body assists the President in administration? 11. What are the official titles of the members of the Cabinet? 12. How many departments are there within the executive branch? 13. What does an ‘inner Cabinet’ mean?
SPEAKING. 8.1 Define the following: presidency/ natural-born citizen/ resident/ President-elect/ oath/ treaty/ offence/ Acting President/ Cabinet/ Secretary/ White House/ White House Office/ counsel/ Inauguration 8.2 Without looking at the text complete the following sentences. The executive branch of the federal government of the US is called … It includes … It is responsible for … The United States highest governmental office is … To become President you must be a … The President’s term of office is … The Constitution limits the President to … terms. On January 20 (‘Inauguration Day’) the President-elect … The functions of the President are … He is empowered to … The President is also the Chief Legislator because … When the President is disabled, the Vice-President becomes … When the President dies, resigns or is removed from office, the Vice-President becomes … The US President is assisted in administration by … The Government positions held by members of the Cabinet are … American Secretaries correspond to … Cabinet members are appointed by … Currently there are … departments within the Executive branch. Each department is responsible for … The so-called White House Office is the name given to … 8.3 Take turns to describe the following aspects of the US Executive: – the US presidency – the role of the Vice-President in the US politics – the President’s assistants (the Cabinet and the departments; the White House Office) – the ‘privilege of the floor’ 9. DEVELOPMENT. Read the text to find the words that correspond to the descriptions below. The Presidency The day before he took the oath of office as the thirty-fifth President of the United States, John F. Kennedy called on President Eisenhower at the White House. “There are no easy matters that will come to you as President, ” Eisenhower told the new President-elect. “If they are easy, they will be settled at a lower level.” President Kennedy mentioned Ike’s advice almost two years later during a television interviewwith three newsmen about the dimensions and perspectives of the presidency. When asked how the job had matched his conception of it, Kennedy said: “Well, I think in the first place the problems are more difficult than I had imagined they were. Secondly, there is a limitation upon the ability of the United States to solve these problems.” Although he was speaking of world problems, the same tone was apparent in his remarks about the President’s domestic power. “The fact is I think the Congress looks more powerful sitting here than it did when I was there in the Congress. When you are in Congress you are one of a hundred in the Senate or one of 435 in the House, so that the power is divided. But from here I look at the collective power of Congress … and it is a substantial power.”
1 – President who has been elected but hasn’t taken the office 2 – meeting (of a reporter, etc.) with sb whose views are requested 3 – opinion about what to do, how to behave 4 – clearly seen or understood 5 – not foreign; native; of one’s own country 6 – of a group of persons as a whole 7 – solemn promise with God’s help to do sth 8 – office of President 9 – restriction 10 – large; considerable
10. PRESENTATION. Speak on the US Executive. RESEARCH. 11.1 Compare the executive branch of the US federal government with the executive branch in your country. Refer to your own Constitution for necessary information. What are the most striking differences? Are there significant similarities between the two branches? 11.2 Describe the executive branch in your country in writing.
TEXT 2. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Популярное:
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