Answers -- Fun, Facts, and Trivia
February 2002 Issue

The Dirksen Center wants to help teachers teach better by giving them the opportunity to use technology to create, customize, and share online learning activities in their classrooms. The Center wants to help students learn more by bringing educational resources together in one place that provide new ways to learn about Congress interactively.

Making Foreign Policy

The president and Congress have a role in foreign policy under the Constitution. Specific powers have been given to each and both have assumed additional authority over time or by relying on other constitutional responsibilities.

The president is responsible for negotiating treaties, appointing ambassadors to represent the United States overseas, and is commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Presidents have used their power as head of the military to involve the nation in numerous conflicts overseas without formal declaration of war by Congress. They have found other ways to get around constitutionally dictated constraints on their ability to set the direction of American foreign policy. Executive agreements negotiated with another head of state do not require Senate approval, even though the agreements are effective only during the term of the president who made them. Presidents also have access to optional funds. Military and diplomatic initiatives can be, and have been, financed using these funds. As a rule, Presidents rely on special envoys to carry out negotiations with other countries.

Being the leader of a nation is a tough job. Suppose you assume some of the duties of the president of the United States, have to select your top advisors, balance the budget, field questions from reporters, and read what the press has to say about your decisions? If you were president, how would you run the country? To find out about some of the important decisions that you would have to make, register on our site for kids -- Congress for Kids -- http://www.congressforkids.net/. Play the online game -- "If You Were President" -- http://www.congressforkids.net/games/executivebranch/2_executivebranch.htm#. After you are finished playing the game, you will receive a report on your progress.

Federating Foreign Policy Fun

Which act requires the president to get congressional approval if American troops are to be on foreign soil for 60 days or more? (Link to answer and
definition: http://www.congresslink.org/glossary.html#W)

A. Voting Rights Act of 1965
B. War Powers Act of 1973
C. Federal Election Campaign Act
D. Hatch Act

True or False: Promises made by the president to other nations that do not require Senate approval and are not binding on future administrations are called "special envoys."
Answer: False: "executive agreements"

Answers to January' s issue of Fun, Facts, and Trivia link here: http://www.webcommunicator.org/funfactstrivia0102ans.htm.

Do you have or know of an online activity you would like The Dirksen Congressional Center to feature on its new Web site for students -- Congress for Kids? The Center is currently seeking online activities that provide new ways to learn about Congress and the workings of the federal government interactively.

If you have questions or suggestions for online activities, contact Cindy Koeppel .