The Executive Branch The President and the Vice
The Executive Branch The President and the Vice President
The Office of the President Main Idea: As the head of the executive branch, the president holds one of the most powerful and important elected offices in the world. Three rules given by the Constitution 35 years old Born in the US Resident of the US for at least 14 years Characteristics All presidents have been men All but one have been Protestant Christians Most have been college educated Many were lawyers Most came from states with large populations
Presidential Elections Electoral College When you vote, your are actually voting for presidential electors who pledge to vote for a certain candidate Each state has as many electors as it does congressmen (MN has 10) The candidate that receives the most votes in a state gets ALL of its electoral votes The candidate who gets at least half of the electoral votes (270) wins
Electoral Votes in the USA
Term, Salary, and Benefits Term of Office 4 year terms Originally no term limits 22 nd Amendment limited presidents to two terms, or 10 years Salary and Benefits Salary of $400, 000 a year Money for expenses and travel Staff of 80 people to take care of family Fleet of special cars, helicopters, and airplanes Camp David estate
The Vice President Elected with the president Same qualifications for office as the president Not much authority Leader of the Senate Becomes president if the President leaves office or dies in office
Presidential Succession Main Idea: The office of the president has an established order of succession (replacement) Presidential Succession Act Vice President Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate Secretary of State
The Executive Branch The President’s Job
Constitutional Powers � Main Idea: The source of the president’s authority is Article II of the Constitution � Duties of the President � Execute, or carry out laws passed by Congress � Veto, or reject bills by Congress � Commander in chief of the armed forces � Make treaties with other countries (with Senate’s approval) � Appoint heads of agencies, judges, ambassadors, and other government positions � Pardon people convicted of crimes � State of the Union Address
Roles of the President Main Idea: The president fills many roles that are important to the functioning of the US government Chief Executive Order-rule or command that has the force of law Appoint Supreme Court judges Pardon Reprieve-delay a person’s punishment Amnesty-pardon toward a group of people
Roles of the President � Chief Diplomat: the presidents makes key decisions about dealing with other countries � Commander in Chief: the president is in charge of the army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guard � Legislative Leader: the president may introduce bills for consideration � Head of State: seen as a symbol of the nation � Economic Leader: propose a federal budget � Party Leader: acts as the head of his political party
The Executive Branch The Cabinet
The President and Foreign Policy Main Idea: As commander in chief and chief diplomat, the president leads the nation’s armed forces and directs U. S. foreign policy. Foreign policy: a nation’s plan in dealing with other countries Goals of Foreign Policy National security: ability to keep the country safe (primary goal of American foreign policy) International trade Promoting world peace Promote democracy around the world The president has help in making foreign policy decisions from groups such as the State Department, Defense Department, and CIA Remember, only Congress can declare war
Tools of Foreign Policy Treaties: Formal agreements between countries NATO Appointing Ambassadors: official representative of a country’s government (Congress must approve) Foreign aid: sending money, food, military, or other supplies to help another country International trade: encourage or stop Military force: send military troops into another country (but not declare war)
Organization of the Executive Branch Main Idea: The executive branch is made up of the top advisers and assistants who help the president carry out major duties. Executive Office of Management and Budget National Security Council
The Cabinet Main Idea: The cabinet is a group of advisers chosen by the president. Department of Homeland Security Newest cabinet department (2002) Fight against terrorism Cabinet Responsibilities Advise president on issues related to their department Meet whenever the president needs them Department heads must be approved by the Senate
The Cabinet
Vice President and First Lady The vice president has become more active lately Al Gore-environmental issues First ladies often take action for different causes Eleanor Roosevelt-help the young and disadvantaged Hillary Clinton-improve health care Laura Bush-promote education and reading
Federal Bureaucracy Main Idea: The federal bureaucracy has grown over the years and has many responsibilities in making public policies Bureaucracy: Agencies and employees of the executive branch These employees do jobs for the public and are paid by the executive branch Deal with everything from setting standards for hot dogs to running space shuttle programs The way the executive branch hires its employees has changed over time: Spoils system: the president hires his friends or supporters Merit system: government workers are hired based on tests and other qualifications
- Slides: 20