US Executive Branch NCSCOS 2.02/2.03

Executive Branch Located in Article II Includes the President and the Vice President main job: enforce laws

Executive Qualifications at least 35 years old a native-born American citizen resident of the US for at least 14 years prior to election 1 term = 4 years –originally no term limits, now 2 terms or 10 years (22 nd Amendment)

Presidential Elections every 4 years, divisible by 4 indirect method – Electoral College –2 Senators + # of Representatives = # of electors –270 (majority) votes to win –no majority – House of Representatives

Presidential Succession Vice president Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore Secretary of State Then secretaries by order of creation

Constitutional Powers 1.Chief executive enforce laws executive order veto power addresses Congress (and now the nation) with the “State of the Union” once a year special sessions appoints positions, Senate approval

Constitutional Powers 2.Chief Jurist Pardon – forgiveness and freedom from punishment Reprieve – order to delay punishment until higher court can hear the case Amnesty – pardon toward a group of people 3.Commander-in-Chief leader of the military shares the power to make war with Congress

Constitutional Powers 4.Legislative Leader proposes legislation makes speeches to build support 5.Economic Leader plans the federal government’s budget meets with budget officials to decide which programs to support and which to cut

Constitutional Powers 6.Party Leader regarded as party leader members work hard to elect in return they give speeches to help those running for office of Congress, governor, mayor, etc. helps the party raise money

Constitutional Powers 7.Head of State living symbol of our nation greets visiting foreign leaders carries out ceremonial duties 8.Chief Diplomat directs foreign policy

Foreign Policy a nation’s plan for dealing with other nations directed by the president –Assisted by State Dept, Defense Dept, CIA, and National Security Council –make key decisions Goals of FP: 1.National security – most VITAL 2.International trade 3.Promote world peace 4.Promote democracy around the world Congress vs. President –powers not clearly spelled out in the Constitution  competition

Tools of Foreign Policy Treaties –formal agreements between governments of 2 or more countries, some based on defense, approval of Senate Executive Agreements –agreement between president and leader of another country, usually routine matters, approval not required Appointing Ambassadors –an official representative of a country’s government –Approximately 150, confirmed by Senate –Sent only to countries recognized by the US Foreign Aid –Money, food, military assistance or other supplies given to help other countries

Tools of Foreign Policy International Trade –agreements with other countries on what to trade and rules of trading –trade sanctions: punish by imposing trade barriers –embargo: a group of nations prohibit trading with a target country Military Force –troops sent to troublesome spots, but not declare war

Organization of Federal Branch The Executive Office –500 people work directly for the president –10 to 12 are his closest political advisers –Most powerful, chief of staff; deputy chief of staff and press secretary Management and Budget –prepares the federal budget –monitors spending –director works closely with the president Jack Lew Chief of Staff 2012 Jeffrey Zients OMB Director 2012

Organization of Federal Branch National Security Council –helps direct military and foreign policy –Matters affecting security of the nation –Vice president, secretaries of state and defense, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff –Supervises the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Office of Administration –Administrative services to executive offices Council of Economic Advisers –Helps carry out the role of economic leader –Appointed by president, approved by Senate

Cabinet group of advisors over certain areas of expertise (15 departments) Look at name of Department it usually tells you what they specialize in –Department of Defense (military) –Department of Treasury (money) –Department of State (relations with nations)

Federal Bureaucracy 100s of agencies that deal with everything Executive branch must carry out what Congress creates –Put laws into action (how to apply to daily life) –Day-to-day operations of the federal government (i.e. deliver mail, collect taxes, send out Social Security checks) –Regulate various activities (i.e. broadcasting companies, labor unions, banks)

Independent Agencies Not part of the cabinet Executive Agencies –Deal with certain specialized areas within the government (i.e. NASA) Government Corporations –50 businesses owned and operated by the government (i.e. post office) Regulatory Board and Commissions –Do not have to report to president, rather Congress –Supposed to protect the public –Enforce rules for certain industries or groups (i.e. Federal Communications Commission [FCC])