The Executive Branch President Vice President Cabinet The

The Executive Branch President Vice President Cabinet

The Role of the Executive • Enforces the law. • Conduct the foreign relations of the country. • Command the armed forces. • Appoint country officials. Judges and diplomats • Administer gov’t departments and public services • All guided by the Constitution and Congressional approval.

Roles of the President • Head of State – our country • Head of government leader of our gov’t system • Commander-in-chief of our armed forces • No formal relationship to legislative branch— Cannot introduce bills. • Fixed term which is 2 terms (4 yrs each term) • Nominates cabinet members.

Role of the Vice President • President of the Senate • Casts tie - breaking votes within the Senate (Votes only when there is a tie) • Presides over the electoral college • Spokesperson/Drafter of Administrations’ policies • Chairman of the Board of NASA • Member of the Board of the Smithsonian Institution • Specific roles defined by President.

Order of Presidential Succession The President (Barack Obama) • 1. The Vice President (Joe Biden) • 2. Speaker of the House 3. President pro tempore of the Senate

Executive Cabinet Order of Succession 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 11. Secretary of Labor 12. Secretary of Health and Human Services 13. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 14. Secretary of Transportation 15. Secretary of Energy 16. Secretary of Education 17. Secretary of Veterans Affairs 18. Secretary of Homeland Security Cabinet members who are NOT natural born citizens would be skipped over & could not become president!!!

Secretary of State • Mission Statement Create a more secure, democratic, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the international community. • What does the State Department do? **Lead federal agency responsible for U. S. foreign affairs. **Helps to shape a freer, more secure, and more prosperous world through formulating, representing, and implementing the President's foreign policy.

Secretary of Treasury • The Treasury Department includes the Office of the Secretary and the Departmental Offices. – – – the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) makes our paper currency the United States Mint produces our coins. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collects income taxes and other forms of Federal Government revenue Processing the sale and redemption of Treasury bonds, notes and bills is the responsibility of the Bureau of the Public Debt. The Secret Service became a bureau of the Treasury Department on July 5, 1865, with its major responsibility being the suppression of counterfeiting.

Secretary of Defense • Develop policies in support of United States national security objectives. • Provide the focal point for departmental participation in the United States security community and other Government activities. • Conduct analyses, develop policies, provide advice, make recommendations, and issue guidance on Defense plans and programs.

The State of Illinois Government

The Three Branches • Executive • Legislative • Judicial White Oak, Violet, Cardinal, Prairie Grass

Members of the Executive Branch • All elected directly by Illinois voters! – Governor: Pat Quinn – Lieutenant Governor: Sheila Simon – Attorney General – Secretary of State – Comptroller – Treasurer