Structure and Function of the Executive Branch: FEDERAL LEVEL UNIT IV – Legislative and Executive Branches

Executive Branch Basic Info Led by: U.S. President In waiting: Vice President Role: enforce laws Lives in: Washington, D.C. at the White House Salary: P -$400,000 VP - $230,700 Terms: 4 years, limit of 2 terms

Presidential Qualifications Age: at least 35 Citizenship: born a U.S. citizen Residency: live in U.S. for at least 14 years Same qualifications for VP Theodore Roosevelt Youngest president: 42 Ronald Reagan Oldest president: 69

What happens if… VP becomes new president SCENARIO #1 – ONLY THE PRESIDENT DIES SCENARIO #2 – PRESIDENT AND VP DIE VP becomes new president A new VP will be appointed and approved by the Senate Presidential Succession Act kicks in, there are a line of people waiting to take the spot Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore Secretary of State

Presidential Amendments 12th Amendment 20th Amendment 22nd Amendment 25th Amendment President and VP must be elected together, no more 1st/2nd place Changed inauguration date from March to January 20th Limits the president to two full terms in office Details how to name a new VP if the president dies

It’s not just about the president!

Organization of the Executive Branch President Cabinet Members (Heads of Departments) Secretaries Departments Treasury State Justice Agency Directors Defense Agencies ATF FAA FBI CIA EPA

Presidential Advisors – The Cabinet Number of members: 15, one for each federal department Obtaining the job: appointed by President with Senate approval Job: to advise the president in their area of expertise and run their department Called: Secretaries (like Sec. of State), one exception is the head of the Department of Justice, he is known as the Attorney General

President’s Closest Allies VICE PRESIDENT FIRST LADY Constitution only give the VP the job of President of the Senate Today the VP acts as another advisor to the President, he usually has expertise in an area the president lacks in Not mentioned at all in Constitution Used to only be responsible for being a hostess at events Now plays a role in influencing policy, usually a “mommy issue” Does not get paid