United States Executive Branch

Background Fewer specific powers for the president in the Constitution Fewer specific powers for the president in the Constitution They were worried about placing too much power in the hands of one person They were worried about placing too much power in the hands of one person Electoral college chooses the president Electoral college chooses the president The executive branch has changed the most. The executive branch has changed the most. This led to the 22 nd Amendment limiting President to 2 terms This led to the 22 nd Amendment limiting President to 2 terms

Qualifications According to Article 2 of the Constitution: According to Article 2 of the Constitution: At least 35 years old At least 35 years old Natural born citizen of U.S. Natural born citizen of U.S. Resident of the U. S. for past 14 years Resident of the U. S. for past 14 years 4 year term 4 year term Two term limit: set in 1951 by 22 nd Amendment Two term limit: set in 1951 by 22 nd Amendment

Benefits and Salary Salary is set by Congress Salary is set by Congress Originally, president earned $25,000 Originally, president earned $25,000 $400,000 plus $50,000 for official expenses $400,000 plus $50,000 for official expenses Retired presidents receive a pension of $161,200, an office and a staff Retired presidents receive a pension of $161,200, an office and a staff Annual Allowance for travel costs as well Annual Allowance for travel costs as well Lives in White House and has offices there Lives in White House and has offices there Camp David is in Maryland and is used for weekends and holidays Camp David is in Maryland and is used for weekends and holidays Air Force One, fleet of cars and helicopters Air Force One, fleet of cars and helicopters

Presidential Powers Leader of political party Leader of political party Can sign or veto bills Can sign or veto bills Can make treaties with other nations, with the advice and consent of 2/3 of the Senate Can make treaties with other nations, with the advice and consent of 2/3 of the Senate Appoints, with Senate consent, diplomatic representatives, Supreme Court judges and other federal officials Appoints, with Senate consent, diplomatic representatives, Supreme Court judges and other federal officials President and Vice President only elected officials that represent the nation President and Vice President only elected officials that represent the nation Most important leader in international affairs Most important leader in international affairs Country’s chief educator and chief diplomat Country’s chief educator and chief diplomat Commander in Chief Commander in Chief Commissions all officers, with congressional confirmation, of the armed forces Commissions all officers, with congressional confirmation, of the armed forces

Presidential Powers Appoints ambassadors, White House staff, and members of various boards and commissions—to more than 3,000 positions Appoints ambassadors, White House staff, and members of various boards and commissions—to more than 3,000 positions Legislative Leader and uses annual State of the Union Address to set forth programs and policies that the president wants Congress to put into effect Legislative Leader and uses annual State of the Union Address to set forth programs and policies that the president wants Congress to put into effect Prepares the federal government’s budget Prepares the federal government’s budget Can pardon those guilt of crimes against the federal government Can pardon those guilt of crimes against the federal government Veto bills, Andrew Jackson was the first to use this power Veto bills, Andrew Jackson was the first to use this power

Foreign Policy President makes foreign policy President makes foreign policy President has power to recognize new governments, to attend summit meetings with the heads of other nations, and to make executive agreements with foreign governments President has power to recognize new governments, to attend summit meetings with the heads of other nations, and to make executive agreements with foreign governments President is helped in foreign policy at the State and Defense departments, by the National Security Council, by foreign advisors in the White House and by experts in the CIA and National Security Agency President is helped in foreign policy at the State and Defense departments, by the National Security Council, by foreign advisors in the White House and by experts in the CIA and National Security Agency

Limitations on Presidential Powers Congress can check the executive by refusing to appropriate funds for an initiative, whether domestic or international Congress can check the executive by refusing to appropriate funds for an initiative, whether domestic or international Congress can refuse to confirm presidential appointees, such as ambassadors or Supreme Court Justices Congress can refuse to confirm presidential appointees, such as ambassadors or Supreme Court Justices Only Congress can write and pass the laws that the executive branch is constitutionally obligated to implement and enforce Only Congress can write and pass the laws that the executive branch is constitutionally obligated to implement and enforce Until 1973, the President could unilaterally call up and deploy troops during war time. After the Vietnam War, Congress passed the War Powers Act that requires Congressional approval within 60 days of deployment Until 1973, the President could unilaterally call up and deploy troops during war time. After the Vietnam War, Congress passed the War Powers Act that requires Congressional approval within 60 days of deployment

Presidential Succession Can be removed form office through death, resignation, inability to perform duties or impeachment/conviction Can be removed form office through death, resignation, inability to perform duties or impeachment/conviction One has resigned One has resigned 8 have died in office: William Henry Harrison after one month in 1841, Zachary Taylor, 1850, Abraham Lincoln assassinated 1865, James A Garfield assassinated 1881, William McKinley assassinated 1901, Warren Harding, 1923, Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1945, John F. Kennedy assassinated have died in office: William Henry Harrison after one month in 1841, Zachary Taylor, 1850, Abraham Lincoln assassinated 1865, James A Garfield assassinated 1881, William McKinley assassinated 1901, Warren Harding, 1923, Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1945, John F. Kennedy assassinated 1963