The Executive Branch
President and Vice President
The President is the Head of the executive Branch
It is the Branch of Government that Carries Out the Law
The Power of the President comes from Article II of the Constitution.
Qualifications:
1. Natural born Citizen
2. Must have Lived in US for 14 Years
3. Must be at Least 35 Years Old
Interesting Facts:
1. Youngest President -- Theodore Roosevelt (42)
2. Youngest Elected Pres. -- John F. Kennedy (42)
3. Oldest President Elected -- Ronald Reagan (73)
Characteristics: Typical President would be:
1. Male
2. White
3. Northern European Ancestry
4. Protestant
5. From Large States from East (NE) and West
6. Occupation: Lawyer
What does this say about the American Voter?
Election and Terms:
* Presidential Elections are held Every 4 Years
* Held on the First Tuesday following the First Monday in November
* Voters Vote for Electors to vote for the President
Each Term of Office is for Four Years
Before 1951, there was NO limit on the number of terms a President could serve; However, NO President until 1940 (Franklin Roosevelt) Served more than two terms Because George Washington said so!
Because of Roosevelt's 4 Terms, the Constitution was Amended (22nd) to Allow Only 2 Terms.
Salary and Benefits:
1. 400,000 a Year
2. 50,000 A year for Expenses
3. 40,000 A year for Travel
4. Two Residences
White House
Camp David
5. Office Space and Staff
6. Cars, Planes, and Helicopters
7. Around the Clock Protection -- President and Family
The Vice President (VP)
Duties:
1. President of the Senate
2. Will become President at the Death or Removal of the
President
3. Carry out the Orders of the President
Qualification: same as President
Elections and Term:
1. Runs for Office with the President
2. 12th Amendment Gave separate Vote for VP
3. There is NO Limit to the number of terms a VP can Serve
Salary and Benefits:
1. _________ a Year
2. Office and Staff in the White House
3. Residence in Washington
4. Protection by Secret Service.
Presidential Succession: The Legal Order in case of Death
In 1841, VP John Tyler set precedent by taking office when William Henry Harrison Died
In 1967, 25th Amendment Established Order.
Vice President
Speaker of the House
President pro tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Powers and Duties of the President
Different Roles of the President
1. Chief of State: Symbol of Country
* Ceremonial Duties
* Entertain other Heads of State
2. Chief Executive: Take care that Laws be Faithfully Executed.
* Head of Federal Bureaucracy
- 1800 Separate Organizations
- 3 Million People
- 2 Million Military
* Powers of Appointment and Removal
- Cabinet Members
- Government Agencies
* Budget -- Making Powers
* Issue Executive Orders
- Has the Force of Law
3. Commander In Chief:
Over all of the Army and Navy
* War powers -- Because the Constitution is NOT clear,
the President has Extended his War Powers
* Congress Has Limited the President by the War Powers Act
* Enforcement Powers -- The President Has the Power to Activate the Army for Domestic Reasons
4. Chief Diplomat:
* Power to Recognize --Accept the Existence of Other Countries
* Sends and Selects Ambassadors
* Power to Make Treaties -- Must be Approved by 2/3 Vote of Senate
* Power to Make Executive Agreements--
An Agreement between the President and Other Heads of State -- Not Treaties
5. Legislative Leader:
* Can Suggest Ideas for Laws and Can Place Pressure by Public Opinion
* Usually Through State of the Union Address
* President uses His influence to Persuade Members to vote For or Against Important Measures
*Call Special Session
* Power to Veto -- Because it takes a 2/3 Vote to override a Veto, A Presidential threat can often change a Bill before it gets to the President
6. Judicial Leader
* Appointment Power -- can appoint Justices of the Supreme Court and Federal Judges --
Approved by Senate
* Power to Grant Pardons
7. Party Leaders
* Helps his Party and Expects His Party to help Him
* He still must be President for all of the People
Leaders of the Executive Branch
The Presidential Cabinet --A Group of Advisors.
Made up of Executive Departments headed by a Department Secretary
Each Department deals with a certain area of Government
The Purpose of the Cabinet is to Give the President Advice!
The President Selects the heads of each Department and that person must have the Consent of the Senate
A good Cabinet will have a Diverse Group of Leaders
The Role of the Cabinet
The Extent of each Cabinet Member's involvement is Determined by the President
1. Presidential Advisor
2. Represents the President's Programs
3. Locate Specialist in the Field
4. Promote Legislation
5. Meet Foreign Leaders when President CAN NOT Attend
The Executive Office of the President (EOP)
Led by the Chief of Staff, the EOP also includes
1. Press Secretary
2. Speechwriters
3. Researchers and
4. Clerical Workers
The Three most Important Offices in the EOP are:
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
* Helps the President Prepare the Federal Budget
National Security Council
* Helps the President in Matters dealing with
the Countries Security
Office of Policy Development
* Helps on Domestic Problems
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