THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH EXECUTIVE BRANCH AT A GLANCE

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

EXECUTIVE BRANCH AT A GLANCE Enforces the law Described in Article II of the U. S. Constitution “The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected as follows”

EXECUTIVE BRANCH AT A GLANCE Salary and Benefits $400, 000 salary (tax free) $50, 000/year expense account $100, 000/year travel expenses A nice house (White House) Secret Service protection (up to 10 years after leaving office) Country home (Camp David) Personal airplane (Air Force One) Staff of 400 -500 full-time employees

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH A. President 1. Qualifications a. Natural-born citizen b. Must have lived in the U. S. for 14 years c. Must be at least 35 years old 2. Term a. Four year term; eligible for re-election b. President Washington set precedent for serving only two terms; 22 nd Amendment made it law

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH B. Presidential Powers 1. National Security Powers a. Serves as Commander-in. Chief of armed forces 1) Can authorize the use of troops overseas without declaring war 2) Needs approval of Congress to declare war officially b. Makes treaties with other nations c. Nominates ambassadors d. Receives ambassadors of other nations, and thus recognizes those lands as official countries

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH B. Presidential Powers (continued) 2. Legislative Powers a. Presents information on the state of the union to Congress b. Recommends legislation to Congress c. Calls Congress to special sessions d. Approves laws passed by Congress a. Veto (Checks and Balances) 3. Administrative Powers a. “Take care that the laws be faithfully executed” Article II, Section 3

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH B. Presidential Powers (continued) 4. Judicial Powers a. Grants reprieves and pardons for federal crimes b. Appoints Federal judges, with agreement of majority of Senate

ELECTORAL COLLEGE – THE BASICS Electoral College Group of persons chosen in each State and Washington every four years who make a formal selection of the President The candidate that receives the majority of votes in a State, receives all of the State’s Electoral College votes

ELECTORAL COLLEGE – NOT A PERFECT SYSTEM… Flaws of Electoral College Possible for the winner of the popular vote not to win presidency Nothing forces a State’s electors to vote for the candidate who wins the State’s popular vote (uncommon) A strong 3 rd party candidate could win enough votes to prevent any candidate from winning

WHY DO WE HAVE AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM? – WHAT’S THE POINT? -Number of reasons… - The framers of the Constitution created it as a compromise after considering elections of the president by…. -Congress -State legislatures -Election by the people (popular vote). - They feared a tyrant could manipulate public opinion and come to power - Lack of trust in the people?

WHO ARE THE ELECTORS? -The electors are often loyal party activists and may be state officials, party leaders, or those connected in some way to the Presidential candidates. - People’s vote instructs the electors from your state to cast their votes for the same candidate