Executive Branch Article II Ch.13-15

Executive Branch Consists of the President, Vice president, Cabinet, White House Staff, Executive Departments (15), and Independent agencies. Bureaucracy.

The Office Qualifications (President/Vice president): Native born, age 35+, resident of the US 14 years. Term (4 years) may only serve 2 terms (22nd amendment 1951) Salary ($400,000)+ $50,000 for official expenses (non-taxed), annual allowance ($10,000 taxable). Vice president does foreign relations (dealing with foreign countries), heads the Senate, and makes $230,700/year.

Succession the 25th amendment expresses the Vice President to succeed the President. The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 determines the order of succession following the Vice Pres. 1.Speaker, 2.Pres. Pro Temp., 3-18.leaders of the 15 executive departments (cabinet) in order of their creation; starting with the Sec. of State. (p.359)

25th Amendment allows the President to appoint a new Vice president if the position becomes vacant. 1st time, 1973 VP Spiro Agnew resigned before being impeached, Pres. Nixon appointed Gerald Ford (who became President when Nixon resigned in 1974).

Powers of the President Gives the State of the Union Address every year and recommends Congress to legislate Creates the federal budget. (how to spend tax $) Appoints: 1.Ambassadors/diplomats (foreign affairs), 2.federal court judges (for life), 3.cabinet members (Heads of Executive Dept.), 4.Heads of Independent Agencies (CIA, NASA), 5.White House staff

Presidential Powers

Powers of the President Reject or approve laws of Congress. War Powers Resolution – allows president to send out troops (temp.) May issue a reprieve (postpone sentence), pardon (forgiving), or commutation (make sentence less severe).

The president has 5 Chief titles Commander in Chief of the armed forces, all orders come through him. War powers. The president cannot declare war on a nation…that is congress’ power. Chief Executive, runs the government Chief Legislator, makes sure laws are carried out. Chief Diplomat, he deals with foreign policy (the way the U.S. deals with other nations), and diplomacy. (the art of dealing with foreign government) Chief of State, ceremonial head of the U.S. (He throws the first pitch of a baseball game, photos at White House, etc.)

There are 15 executive departments to aid the president. The heads of each dept. (secretaries) makes up his cabinet (close advisors).

1. Department of State (foreign relations) 2 1.Department of State (foreign relations) 2. Department of Treasury (nations financial affairs), 3. Department of Defense (armed forces), 4. Department of Justice (enforces federal law, FBI, INS), 5. Department of the Interior (manages natural resources, handles Indian affairs), 6. Department of Agriculture (loans, subsidies), 7. Department of Commerce (Trade and business), 8.Department of Labor (protects workers), 9. Department of Heath and Human Resources (promotes health and well being), 10. Department of Housing and Urban Development "HUD" (improves housing conditions), 11. Department of Transportation (develops transportation systems, and regulates), 12. Department of Energy (manages nations energy), 13. Department of Education (Federal funding), 14. Department of Veteran Affairs (government benefits to veterans and their families), 15. Homeland Security (added in Dec. 2002 to fight terrorism at home)

Independent Agencies There are also over 60 Independent Agencies that help the president carry out his duties. (The Commission on Civil Rights, Small Business Administration, NASA, CIA) Agencies that make rules and take people to court are called regulatory commissions. (Consumer Product Safety Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, National Labor Relations Board)

Independent Agencies & Regulatory Commissions

Foreign Policy Foreign policy is a nation’s government actions on world affairs. (countries) Containment, embargo’s, etc. The Department of State deals with foreign relations and policy [Secretary of State] Ambassadors are highest-ranking foreign officials / usually has diplomatic immunity. (Embassy) Consuls (Consulates) Heads of the Army, Navy, Air force, Marines = Joint Chiefs of Staff, they advise the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council.