The Executive Branch Executive Branch Chartered to carry

The Executive Branch

Executive Branch ● Chartered to carry out and execute federal laws and powers ● Includes: President, Vice President, & Cabinet ● Requirements: 35, a “natural-born” citizen of the U. S. , & reside in the country for at least 14 years ● The president is also tasked with managing a range of agencies and staff while within the position ○ Federal Reserve System ○ Environmental Protection Agency ○ Office of Management and Budget

Presidential Powers ● ● ● Propose legislation to Congress Appoint Federal Officials Commander and Chief of the armed forces Make treaties with foreign governments Decisions made by the executive branch have an effect on the economy, military, and the general welfare of the United States

Checks on the President ● Legislative Branch Checks: ○ Impeachment = House of Representatives bringing charges, Senate acting as court ○ Senate confirming Presidential appointments ● Judicial Branch Checks ○ Judicial Review of laws passed ○ Chief Justice acts as official judge during impeachment trial

Line of Succession 1. Vice President 2. Speaker of the House 3. President Pro-Tempore of the Senate 4. Secretary of State 5. Secretary of the Treasury 6. Secretary of Defense 7. Attorney General 8. Secretary of the Interior 9. Secretary of Agriculture 10. Secretary of Commerce

Electing the President ● The president serves a term of 4 years but has a term limit of 2 = can only serve 2 times consecutively ● Must be at least 18 years old to vote ● Electoral College ○ 538 members of congress = 538 total electors ○ States hold the election ○ Votes are tallied up and this equals the Popular vote ○ Whichever candidate wins in a state is expected to gain those electoral votes ○ If there is a tie, the House of Representatives votes and choses a winner

Impeachment ● Impeach - the process by which charges are brought against a government official ● The president or any member of congress may be impeached if found guilty of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors” ● The House of Representatives is responsible for bringing official charges of impeachment against the elected official

Impeachment ● Steps: ○ 1. A majority of the House Judiciary Committee must vote to approve and act on the charges ○ 2. The entire House of Representatives votes on whether or not to formally impeach the official - a simple majority vote is needed to impeach ○ 3. The Senate acts as a jury to hear the case, carry out debate, crossexamine, analyze evidence etc. ○ 4. If ⅔ of the Senate votes and finds the official guilty, the official is removed from office