The Executive Branch Electoral College The Process of

The Executive Branch

Electoral College The Process of electing a President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of “qualified citizens” “Qualified citizens” numbered by= 535 members of Congress and 3 members from District of Columbia but are made up of state political party affiliates MAGIC NUMBER TO BECOME PRESIDENT: 270 Electoral College votes! FUN FACT OF THE DAY: In reality your direct vote for president does not count it is a suggestion for the electoral college

Term & Salary: • Four Year Term • 2 term limit (22 nd amendment) • 10 Year Maximum (those who take over presidency and then run 2 x) • FDR: elected to 4 terms(1933 -45) limits were set by the 22 nd Amendment (1951) • Salary: • 1789: $25, 000/year • 2001: $400, 000 /year

Job Description: The Responsibility of the Executive Branch is to ENFORCE LAWS

Job Description: 8 Duties: 1. Chief of State: ceremonial duties 2. Chief Executive: head of fed offices and agencies that see Congress’ laws are carried out 3. Chief Administrator: Boss of Department Secretaries 4. Chief Diplomat: directs foreign policy 5. Commander in Chief: control of armed forces 6. Chief Legislator: proposes new laws 7. Chief of Party: patronage 8. Economic Planner: requests federal budget

The President’s Executive Powers • Ordinance Power (Executive Orders) • Appointment Power • Removal Power • Diplomatic/Military Powers • Legislative Powers • Judicial Powers

The Ordinance Power • President has the power to issue executive orders, which are rules, directives or regulations that have the effect of law. • The President can issue these orders to any office of the Executive Branch • The President does this to enforce acts or regulations of Congress.

The Appointment Power • With consent of the Senate, the President appoints most of the topranking officers of the Federal Gov’t. • Ambassadors and diplomats • Cabinet members (Secretary of Education, State, Labor etc. ) and top aides • Heads of agencies (EPA, NASA, ) • Federal judges, U. S. marshals • Officers in armed forces

Who has Obama appointed? The power to appoint is an Executive Power

The Removal Power • Pres. doesn’t need reason to remove an official • Senate consent needed for appointment…is it needed for removal? ? ? • Answer: NO!!! (Ruled in 1789 Congress debate) • Solution to removal issues: “resignation”

Diplomatic/Military Powers • Make treaties • Executive Agreements • Recognition Power • Make Undeclared War (War Powers Resolution)

Legislative Powers of President • Recommend Legislation • Veto Power • Veto: Refusal to sign a bill into law

Judicial Powers of President • Grant pardons • Commute sentences • Grant amnesty

The President’s Cabinet • Purpose: to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of their respective offices. • Creation: Pres. George Washington

The President’s Cabinet: • The Constitution does not directly mention a "Cabinet, " but the Constitutional authority for a Cabinet is found in Article II, Section 2. • The Constitution states that the President "may require the opinion, in writing of the principle officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices. "

Order of Succession: • Vice President • Speaker of the House • President Pro Tempore of the Senate • Secretary of State • And each department of state that follows in order of oldest to newest

The Vice President:

Role of the Vice President • 2 Formal Duties: • To Preside over the Senate • To help decide question of presidential disability “only a heartbeat away from the presidency!” • Recently role has been reinvented • Dick Cheney (Bush) – seen as most influential VP ever • Joe Biden (Obama) – Served 36 years in Senate, Chair of Foreign Relations Committee • When VP is vacant – president may nominate replacement – needs approval by majority vote of BOTH Houses of Congress