We will focus on the Federal Executive Branch – The President

What is the Cabinet? Cabinet A group of people appointed to advise the President.

As the President’s closest and most trusted advisers, members of the Cabinet attend weekly meetings with the President at the White House.

The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments

Executive Leadership Secretary A member of the cabinet responsible for leading a specific department

Secretary John Kerry Department of State Advises the President on foreign policy and promotes peace with other nations. Meets with foreign leaders to discuss relationships with the United States and form alliances.

Secretary Chuck Hagel Department of Defense Is responsible for providing the military forces needed to fight war and protect America. The four major branches of the armed forces are: Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force

Secretary Jack Lew Department of Treasury Performs three basic functions: Proposes fiscal policy to Congress Serves as the financial manager for government; Makes American coins and currency.

Attorney General Eric Holder Department of Justice Serves as legal counsel for citizens by enforcing the law. Brings lawsuits against people or organizations that discriminate against citizens

Secretary Arne Duncan Department of Education Establishes education policy and coordinates financial assistance to education. Its mission is to ensure equal access to public education for all (K-12 and College)

Secretary Anthony Foxx Department of Transportation Maintains the nation’s interstate highways, waterways, and air traffic. Promotes the construction of subway systems and other mass transit.

1. Presidential Nomination Notes: Allows the President to choose people he likes (agrees with) for jobs

2. White House Review Notes: Allows others in executive branch to approve of the President’s choices

3. Paperwork and Financial Disclosure

4. FBI Investigation

5. Senate Confirmation Hearings Notes: Allows legislative branch to interview appointees and check qualifications for the job

6. Senate Majority Vote Notes: Allows legislative branch to have final approval over all executive nominees

Student-led Notes

Meet Michelle… My girlfriends and I wanted to look good for prom, so we bought some new cosmetics at the mall. Within a week we all developed the same rash What could the government have done to protect Michelle and her friends?

Meet Diana… My son was flipping through the local channels on Monday afternoon looking for cartoons but instead found the best of Girls Gone Wild. What could the government have done to prevent this from happening?

Meet Dawnette… My father lived downwind from a rubber plant. After years of breathing in toxins he died at age 50 from lung cancer. What could the government have done to prevent this from happening?

RegulationA rule or a law. Regulatory Agency Government groups that make and enforce regulations.

Why Do We Regulate? Regulatory agencies exist to ensure the safety and welfare of citizens Much like a referee protects players and fans from rule breakers

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Ensures the safety of consumers when purchasing food and drugs

Makes sure food and drugs are safe and labeled appropriately Makes sure cosmetics are safe Tests all new medicines before they enter the market

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Makes sure that consumers are protected and being told the truth about the products they buy

Investigates complaints against companies and created the national “Do Not Call” list Provides information on things like buying and selling cars, using credit, and identity theft

Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Regulates all communications by radio, television, cable, and satellite

Enforces regulations designed to ensure that content of programming is appropriate Issues licenses for radio and television broadcast stations

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulates and oversee all aspects of airplane maintenance and flight

Writes airline safety regulations like requiring pilot rest breaks Develops and operates air traffic control systems Conducts research and development for airplanes

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Protects public health and the environment for future generations

Sets and enforces standards for fuel economy (miles per gallon) Enforces standards for air and water quality Controls and decreases air and water pollution

Which Agency? Government fines DuPont for dumping hydrochloric acid into county stream.

Which Agency? Government fines DuPont for dumping hydrochloric acid into county stream. Environmental Protection Agency

Which Agency? Recall has been ordered for beef from cows that may have been infected with Mad Cow Disease.

Which Agency? Recall has been ordered for beef from cows that may have been infected with Mad Cow Disease. Food and Drug Administration

Which Agency? People are tired of getting called by telemarketers, so they ask to be put on the government’s “do not call” registry.

Which Agency? People are tired of getting called by telemarketers, so they ask to be put on the government’s “do not call” registry. Federal Trade Commission

Which Agency? Government requires Southwest and United Airlines to install locks on their cockpit doors to prevent hijacking.

Which Agency? Government requires Southwest and United Airlines to install locks on their cockpit doors to prevent hijacking. Federal Aviation Administration

What is an Executive Order? Executive Order A policy issued by the President that has the force of federal law

How do executive orders work? Executive orders are just like laws. If you disobey them you can go to jail.

How do executive orders work? Executive orders do not have to be approved by Congress.

When can Executive Orders be used? An executive order can be issued as long as.. It does not violate the Constitution. Only gives instructions to those people who work for the President.

What can Congress do if it disagrees? Congress can pass a new law that reverses the order. This is the same as when the Supreme Court uses judicial review to strike down one of their laws.

Bonus Question What do you think the President would most likely do with a bill that reverses his executive order?

Bonus Question What do you think the President would most likely do with a bill that reverses his executive order? HE WOULD VETO IT!

War Powers War powers are divided. The constitutional principle of checks and balances requires the President and Congress to work together when taking the nation to war. Congress has the power to officially declare war and raise an army while the President is the Commander in Chief of the military. But it is often unclear which branch has MORE power than the other when disagreements happen.

War Powers Resolution, 1973 The War Powers Resolution states that the President’s power as Commander-in-Chief to introduce U.S. forces into hostilities [armed conflict] can only be used after war is declared or in a national emergency. It specifically requires that the President to consult [talk] with Congress before introducing American forces into hostilities and report on their progress every 60 days.

PARDONS Definition: The President can forgive a person of their crime and remove the punishment for it This is an example of: Checks and Balances or Federalism?

PARDONS Definition: The President can forgive a person of their crime and remove the punishment for it This is an example of: Checks and Balances **Presidential (executive branch) use of a pardon is a check on courts (judicial branch)**

List of pardons by former U.S. Presidents: Which one do you disagree with the most? George Washington Pardoned leaders of the “Whiskey Rebellion”, many farmers who rebelled against the government for raising taxes on whiskey Ronald Reagan Pardoned FBI agents who broke in and planted illegal wire taps on the phones of government leaders Bill Clinton Pardoned his brother, Robert Clinton, for possession of cocaine George W. Bush Pardoned Daniel Pue for illegally dumping hazardous waste into communities

HSA SAMPLE QUESTIONS Which of these is a responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? A. to manage the use of public airwaves B. to evaluate the contents of medications C. to review the safety of household appliances D. to investigate the practices of financial firms

HSA SAMPLE QUESTIONS Which of these is a responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? A. to manage the use of public airwaves B. to evaluate the contents of medications C. to review the safety of household appliances D. to investigate the practices of financial firms

HSA SAMPLE QUESTIONS The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that all products labeled “Made in the USA” be “all or virtually all” made in the United States. Which of these is the main reason for the above requirement? A. to increase the advertising industry’s profits B. to encourage more foreign imports C. to enforce truth-in-advertising standards D. to lower the cost of manufactured goods

HSA SAMPLE QUESTIONS The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that all products labeled “Made in the USA” be “all or virtually all” made in the United States. Which of these is the main reason for the above requirement? A. to increase the advertising industry’s profits B. to encourage more foreign imports C. to enforce truth-in-advertising standards D. to lower the cost of manufactured goods

HSA SAMPLE QUESTIONS Which of these government agencies is directly responsible for monitoring business competition? A. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) B. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) D. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

HSA SAMPLE QUESTIONS Which of these government agencies is directly responsible for monitoring business competition? A. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) B. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) D. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

HSA SAMPLE QUESTIONS Which of these is a function of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)? A. to issue airline tickets B. to finance new airlines C. to hire airline pilots D. to regulate airline traffic

HSA SAMPLE QUESTIONS Which of these is a function of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)? A. to issue airline tickets B. to finance new airlines C. to hire airline pilots D. to regulate airline traffic