Special Duties of the Legislature In addition to making laws, the House and the Senate each have some special duties: Senate can: Vote on any treaties the President makes Review and approve Presidential appointees, such as Cabinet Secretaries and Supreme Court justices Hold a trial for a government official who does something wrong House of Representatives can: Recommend tax bills to become law Decide if a government official should be put on trial before the Senate if s/he commits a crime against the country

Executive Branch: Roles and Powers of the President

I Can: Describe the structure, powers and authority of the executive branch in order to demonstrate an understanding of Article II of the United States Constitution. Warm Up If you were to design a “Help Wanted” poster for the job of President of the United States, what would it say? What qualifications would you want the President to meet? What characteristics do you think a person should have to be President?

The Executive Branch: Structure Review President & Vice President Main Function: Lead Executive Branch Cabinet Main Function: Advisors to the President ***Page 229 for info on the Cabinet—Cabinet consists of individuals who head various executive departments which assist the president in decision making. Cabinet members are appointed by the President and approved by Senate. ***Look to page 235 to find a description of the executive office agencies. Executive office of the President (EOP) created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. Consists of individuals and agencies whose responsibilities are geared towards assisting the President. For example, the largest agency in the EOP is the Office of Management and Budget is responsible for preparing the national budget the President proposes to Congress each year. Other important agencies include the National Security Council (advises the president on military and foreign policy) and the Council of Economic Advisers (assists the president in directing the nation’s economic policies). ***Distribute and complete charts on purposes of executive departments. Departments and Regulatory Agencies Main Function: Enforce laws and regulations, and carry out policy

Demographic Characteristics of Presidents Male—100% Caucasian—98% Protestant—98% British ancestry—82% College Education—78% Politicians—70% Lawyers—63% Top 3% wealth/social class—At least 50% Elected from large states—70%

Think About It… Interpret each of the following quotes. What message can be gleaned from each quote? What seem to be the Presidents attitudes’ toward their jobs?

President Harry S Truman "I sit here all day trying to persuade people to do the things they ought to have the sense to do without my persuading them. That's all the powers of the President amount to." 33rd President, 1945-53

President John F. Kennedy "No easy problem ever comes to the President of the United States. If they are easy to solve, somebody else has solved them." 35th President, 1961-1963 National television address during the Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962

President Lyndon B. Johnson "The presidency has made every man who occupied it, no matter how small, bigger than he was; and no matter how big, not big enough for its demands." 36th President, 1963-69

President Richard Nixon "Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the manner in which the president personally exercises his assigned executive powers is not subject to questioning by another branch of government." 37th President, 1969-1974 In the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, President Nixon departs the White House after his resignation, August, 1974

The President: Qualifications and Term of Office Article II of the Constitution: the president must be A natural born citizen of US At least 35 years old A resident of the US for 14 years before office Informal Requirements: government experience, education, money, character Most consecutive years that a President may serve is 10.

Presidents’ Term and Compensation 22nd Amendment (1951) limits Presidents to two terms. A Presidential term is four years. Current annual Presidential salary (set by Congress) is $400,000. Benefits include pension, travel expenses, medical/dental care, security, and room & board in the White House.

Presidential Roles Head of State—ceremonial duties Chief Executive—heads federal offices and agencies that carry out laws Chief Legislator—propose legislation; veto power Economic Planner—federal budget Party Leader—patronage Chief Diplomat—directs foreign policy Commander in Chief—control of armed forces

The President’s Powers and Tools of Influence Article II control of armed forces, approves legislation, appoints executive officials, and appoints judges Executive Order rules w/ force of law Executive Agreement pact btw. President and foreign head of state Executive Privilege refusal to provide info to Congress or a court Reprieve postponement of legal punishment Pardon release from legal punishment Amnesty group pardon to people for an offense against the government

Checks & Balances POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT Appoints Justices to the Supreme Court Vetoes bills

Limits on Presidential Power Congressional override of veto Senate confirmation power Congressional “power of the purse” Impeachment War Powers Act Supreme Court Public Opinion

Closure: Think back to what we learned about checks and balances… How do the President’s powers/duties interact with the powers of the Legislative and Judicial branches?

A Few of the Greats

The Electoral College # of Electors=# of states’ Representatives + Senators Total Electors in the United States: 538 Arizona: 9 House Members + 2 Senators= 11 Electors Purpose—Founding fathers did not feel public knew enough about leaders/popular leaders not always best Debated Issues Winner Take All, 3rd Party Candidates, Election in House, popular vote issues Suggestions for reform Proportional representation, Direct Popular Election

The Electoral College The elimination of the Electoral College is a proposal that has been made to expand democracy in the United States. Do you agree or disagree with the proposal to eliminate the Electoral College? Explain why you agree or disagree. Include details and examples to support your answer.