FREE-RESPONSE QUESTION OPTION 1
Closely read the scenario. Then respond to A, B, and C below in complete sentences.
In early 2020, the emergence of a new virus led the administration of President Donald Trump to announce a series of travel bans from countries where the virus was rapidly spreading. By late March, the U.S. borders and airports were closed to all non-essential travel. As the United States and many other nations instituted travel bans grounding airlines and closing borders, thousands of American travelers and workers were stranded elsewhere.
Restricting travel was one part of the administration’s response plan to prevent spread of the virus and mitigate the effects. Another part was issuing guidelines for preventing the spread, including social distancing. The president declared a “major disaster” in many states, enabling the federal government to coordinate and assist the states with funding, supplies, and people to assist with the emergency situation.
By mid-May 2020, the U.S. State Department (a department in the executive branch) had facilitated the return of over 85,000 Americans from 131 foreign countries and territories. Another executive department arranged for General Motors to produce 30,000 ventilators, important medical equipment for treating the most ill patients. Medical staff in the U.S. military were deployed to New York City and later to other places where hospitals had a great need for help. This is a sampling of executive branch actions during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic, not an exhaustive list.
Referring to the scenario in your response, identify the executive power being exercised as it relates to the purposes of government expressed in the Preamble to the Constitution.
Describe how the power identified in part A reflects a specific weakness of government that existed under the Articles of Confederation.
Referring to the scenario in your response, explain how Congress could use a legislative power to influence the situation.