Executive Branch

Standard GC.12 Analyze Article II of the Constitution as it relates to the executive branch, including eligibility for office and length of term, election to and removal from office, the oath of office, and the enumerated executive powers. (P)

Objective A. Describe what the qualifications are to become president of the United States

Qualifications to Serve as President He or she must be a natural born citizen of the United States. He or she must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. He or she must be at least 35 years old.

Ages Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest to ever be President of the United States, he was 42. John F. Kennedy was the youngest to be elected President of the United States, he was 43. Donald Trump is now the oldest to be elected President at 70 years old. Ronald Reagan was the oldest to serve as President of the United States, he served from age 69 to age 77.

B. Explain how the term system works for the Office of President Objective B. Explain how the term system works for the Office of President

Terms Presidential terms last for 4 years. George Washington set the example of only serving two terms. Franklin D. Roosevelt broke with tradition and was elected President 4 times. He died during his fourth term. In 1951, the 22nd Amendment established that an individual may only be elected President for two terms.

Terms The maximum number of years an individual may serve as President of the United States is 10. A Vice-President may finish out the last two years of a deceased President’s term and be elected two more times. (2 + 8 = 10) Lame Duck- A President finishing out a term after another has been elected but not yet sworn in. (Election in November, inauguration in January)

Objective C. Describe the responsibilities of the President

Presidential Responsibilities The first responsibility of the President is take the oath of office, or to be sworn in by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (In an emergency, any judge will do.) A. Calvin Coolidge was sworn in by his dad in their Vermont living room. (His dad was a judge) B. Lyndon Johnson was sworn in on Air Force One after the assassination of John F. Kennedy by a Federal Judge, Sarah Hughes.

Presidential Responsibilities The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Military and may call the National Guard into Federal service. The President may require the opinions of his cabinet secretaries in writing on any subject related to their duties. The President may grant pardons and reprieves. pardon- to be released from the legal consequences of a crime. reprieve- to postpone the execution of a sentence.

Presidential Responsibilities The President, with a 2/3 consent of the Senate, may make treaties with foreign countries. The President, with a 2/3 consent of the Senate, may make appointments within the federal government. The President appoints: ambassadors, Federal Judges, Supreme Court Justices, high ranking military officers, cabinet secretaries, consuls, and directors of various government agencies like the FBI and CIA.

Presidential Responsibilities Each year the President gives the State of the Union Address. (a speech to the American people and Congress held in the House Chamber) The President may call Congress into session when necessary. The President receives all foreign ministers and in this he is known as Chief Diplomat. The President may sign bills into law or veto bills passed by Congress and in this he is known as Chief Legislator.

Presidential Responsibilities The President is to be a model citizen, honest, hardworking and moral and in this he is known as Chief Citizen. The President may recommend legislation to Congress. The President may “Take care that laws may be faithfully executed.”

E. Describe the responsibilities of the Vice-President Objective E. Describe the responsibilities of the Vice-President

Vice-Presidential Responsibilities The Vice-President presides over the Senate and in this may vote to break a tie. The Vice-President helps to decide the issue of Presidential disability, and in this may become “Acting President”.

25th Amendment (1967) Before the 25th Amendment was passed in 1967, when the office of Vice-President was left vacant; there was no process within the Constitution to fill the empty position. Therefore, before 1967, if a Vice-President died, resigned, or was impeached, the position was left vacant. The 25th Amendment solved this problem.

25th Amendment (1967) 25th Amendment- When the office of Vice-President is left vacant, the President will appoint a new Vice-President that must be confirmed by a majority of both the U. S. House and the U. S. Senate. In 1973, Richard Nixon used the 25th Amendment to appoint Gerald Ford Vice-President. In 1974, Gerald Ford used the 25th Amendment to appoint Nelson Rockefeller Vice-President.

F. Explain the Presidential succession Objective F. Explain the Presidential succession

Presidential Succession There are 18 replacements for the President under Presidential Succession. 1. Vice-President 2. Speaker of the House 3. President Pro Tempore 4.-18. The 15 Cabinet Secretaries in order of creation.

Presidential Disability When the President becomes disabled, the President will inform Congress that he is unable to preform his duties. If the President is unable to inform Congress that he cannot preform his duties, the Vice-President and a majority of the Cabinet Secretaries will inform Congress that he is unable to preform his duties. Then, the Vice-President of the United States will become “Acting President”.

Presidential Disability If the President disagrees with the Vice-President and a majority of the Cabinet on the issue of Presidential Disability, Congress will have 21 days to decide the issue. During these 21 days, the Vice-President will serve as “Acting President”.

Presidential Disability Reasons: Dwight Eisenhower suffered from a heart attack and a stroke while President of the United States. James Garfield lingered 80 days after being shot before he died in 1881. Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke in 1919 while serving as President.

G. Explain the benefits of being President Objective G. Explain the benefits of being President

Presidential Compensation Salary - $400,000 per year and is taxed. Expense Account - $50,000 Travel Account - $100,000 Entertainment Account - $20,000 Salary + Accounts = $570,000 a year Lifetime Pension Lifetime Franking Privilege or free mail

Presidential Compensation Office Space Office Help Widow’s Pension While in office, the President lives in the 132 room White House that is set on 18.3 acres of land in Washington DC. While in office, the use of a resort in Maryland called Camp David. The use of planes, helicopters, and automobiles. Free medical and dental care.

Since 1850 Johnston & Murphy have made shoes for the President

Kennedy Obama

Objective H. Explain the benefits of being Vice- President

Vice-Presidential Compensation Salary - $230,700 per year and is taxable Expense Account Retirement Pension after 5 years of service While Vice-President, he lives in the U. S. Naval Observatory in Washington, DC.

Presidential Vacancies John Tyler replaced William Henry Harrison who died of pneumonia. Millard Fillmore replaced Zachery Taylor who died of gastroenteritis. Andrew Johnson replaced Abraham Lincoln who was shot. Chester A. Arthur replaced James Garfield who was shot. Theodore Roosevelt replaced William McKinley who was shot.

Presidential Vacancies Calvin Coolidge replaced Warren Harding who died in office. (undisclosed illness) Harry S. Truman replaced Franklin D. Roosevelt who died of a brain hemorrhage. Lyndon Johnson replaced John F. Kennedy who was shot. Gerald Ford replaced Richard Nixon who resigned because of the Watergate scandal.

Collaborative Learning The Vice-Presidency has been known for its inactivity and lack of importance. “I am Vice-President. In this I am nothing”- John Adams “The Vice-Presidency isn’t worth a warm pitcher of spit” –John Nance Gardner The Vice-Presidency is “the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.” -John Adams

Collaborative Learning Why might a Vice-President dislike his or her position? What are the two responsibilities of the Vice- President? Explain why the Vice-Presidency is an important position within our government.