Chapter 9: The Executive Branch American Government Mrs. Rickard

Section 1: The Roles of the President

OBJECTIVES Explain how the Constitution limits the power of the president. Describe the president’s role as head of the executive branch. Summarize the president’s role in military affairs and foreign policy. Explain how the president influences the legislative and judicial branches. Identify presidential roles created by tradition.

The Office of President Term 4 years Run for re-election Limited to 2 terms 22nd Amendment Salary determined by Congress $400,000

Qualifications 35 years old Natural-born citizen of the U.S. Meaning? Lived in the U.S. for 14 years End all 9th 5/12

Limited Power Separation of powers Checks and balances President enforces/carries out laws Congress makes laws S.C. interprets laws Checks and balances Presidential decisions approved by Congress Congress may remove president S.C. decides constitutionality End Pres. Decisions 3rd 4/25

Roles of the President Framers wanted leader to carry out laws, represent nation New concept! World of monarchs Defined by Washington and successors 7 total roles

Faithful execution of laws 1. Chief Executive Faithful execution of laws Executive orders Example: Truman’s order to desegregate military Cannot violate Constitution or laws Appoints 4,000 executive branch officials Confirmed by Congress End violate 3rd 4/26

2. Commander in Chief Leader of Armed Forces Send troops to foreign country w/o war declaration War Powers Resolution (1973) Congressional approval Iraq Resolution (2002) End Power 9th 5/14

3. Chief Diplomat Most important rep. of the U.S. with other nations Foreign policy Treaties Can be rejected by Senate Appointment of ambassadors Approved by Senate Executive agreements No Senate approval Example: aid to another country End policy 3rd and 6th 4/27

4. Legislative Leader Influence over laws State of the Union address Foreign policy Domestic policy Meets with Congress, interest groups Veto power Budget Approved by Congress Special sessions of Congress http://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,2009480,00.html End all 3rd 4/28, end budget 6th 4/28

5. Judicial Powers Nominates S.C. justices, federal judges Confirmed by Senate Reduce punishments for federal convictions Pardons http://www.justice.gov/pardon/ End all 3rd 4/29; end pardons 6th 4/29

Traditional Roles Not in Constitution 6. Party leader Highest elected official Influences party goals, candidates 7. Chief of State Speaks for the nation Expresses values, goals of Americans Ceremonial duties http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/weekly-address End all 3rd 5/3

Section 2: Organization of the Executive Branch

OBJECTIVES Define the role of the Executive Office. Explain the duties of the Vice President. Explain the importance of executive departments. Describe some of the major independent agencies. Explain the need for the civil service system. Explore the process of carrying out the law.

Growing Bureaucracy Organization of government departments, agencies, and offices President appoints administration ~2,000 members Executive Office of the President Executive departments Independent agencies

Executive Office of the President Advises president White House staff V.P. Special Advisory Groups

Inner circle of advisors, assistants White House Staff Inner circle of advisors, assistants Chief of staff, press secretaries, legal experts, speechwriters, office workers, researchers Give advice, info Appointed by president No Senate approval

One duty in Constitution: President decides what VP will do Vice President One duty in Constitution: Preside over Senate President decides what VP will do Becomes president if president dies “Acting president” if president seriously ill Qualifications same as president End pres. Decides 3rd 5/4

Special Advisory Groups Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Decides cost Prepares budget National Security Council (NSC) Helps w/foreign policy National defense Office of Homeland Security 2001, President Bush, 9/11 Protect from terrorism Works w/CIA, FBI, Coast Guard, and FAA http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration End all 6th 5/5

Executive Departments Carry out laws, run government programs Leadership Appointed by president Confirmed by Senate Dept. of Justice: Attorney General- Eric Holder All others secretaries (Sec. of State, Sec. of the Treasury) Form Cabinet End all 3rd 5/23 End other 9th 5/23

Independent Agencies Executive agencies Regulatory commissions Directly controlled by President NASA, EPA Regulatory commissions Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-rules for radio, TV Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)- safety standards President chooses board members Government corporations Like private businesses, try to make profit Provide public services too risky or expensive United States Postal Service End all 3rd 5/6

President chooses less than 1% of executive branch Civil Service System President chooses less than 1% of executive branch Civil service system Congress, 1883 Merit , test scores http://www.civilserviceprep.com/usa/sample.aspx End all 3rd and 9th 5/28

Section 3: Presidents and Power

OBJECTIVES Describe some ways in which Presidents are able to act on their own. Summarize advantages and disadvantages of the power of President to act on their own. Analyze some examples of the use of presidential power.

May talk to other countries w/o Congressional approval Freedom to Take Action May talk to other countries w/o Congressional approval Executive agreements No Senate approval Executive privilege

When should President’s powers be limited? Balancing Power When should President’s powers be limited? Acting quickly in a crisis Taking opportunity that might be lost while waiting on Congress to agree

Jefferson and the LA Purchase Opportunity to buy LA Territory from France Not mentioned by Const. Not enough time to wait for amendment Sec. of State Madison Power to make treaties Right to buy LA Jefferson purchased, Congress approved

Truman and the Steel Mills Steelworkers threatened strike during Korean War Owners refused to meet demands Executive order put Sec. of Commerce in control of the mills Protecting American troops S.C. ruled unconstitutional Pres. can’t take private property End all 9th 5/29

Nixon and Watergate Nixon accused of covering up break-in at DNC HQ in Watergate building Campaign info Nixon refused to release tapes Executive privilege S.C. ordered Nixon to turn over tapes Executive privilege limited House impeachment Resigned before vote was taken “I am not a crook.”