The Executive Branch Rebekah Sooy USA Government Block 4B

What Is the Executive Branch?  The branch of government is responsible for day-to-day management.  It is not suppose to make laws or interpret the laws.  Its purpose is to ENFORCE the laws.  In the Check and Balances: the Executive Branch checks a law by vetoing it or agreeing with it that the Legislative Branch made.

The Powers of The Presidency  The power of the Executive Branch is vested in the President of the USA.  Is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress.  Appoints the head of federal agencies.  Has the power to either sign a legislation into a law or veto a bill.  Has the power to negotiate and sign treaties.  Can issue executive orders.  Has unlimited power to extend pardons and clemencies for federal crimes.  Faced with scores of decisions which are each important for America’s future everyday.

The Vice President .the role is to be ready at a moment’s notice to assume the presidency if the president is unable to perform his duties.  Is elected along with the President by the Electoral College.  Serves as the President of the United States Senate as whether there is a tie in the votes.

The Laws Enforce  Cabinet and independent federal agencies are responsible for the day-to-day enforcement and administration of federal laws.

The Process for Electing the President  Have to be “A natural born citizen.”  Be at least 35 years of age.  Have lived in USA for at least 14 years.  Process 1 – primaries and caucuses: party member will get to vote for a candidate that will represent their party.  Process 2 – national convections: where each party holds a convention to finalize the selection of one presidential nominee.

The Process for Electing the President  Process 3 – The General (Popular) Election: candidates campaign throughout the country in an attempt to win supporters for votes.  Process 4 – The Electoral College: each state gets a certain number of electors based on each state’s total number of representation in Congress.  All together there are 538 electors.  In December, the electors caste their votes and the presidential candidate who gets more than half (270) wins the election.

Impeachment Process  Impeachment is to charge (a public official) with improper conduct in office before a proper tribunal.  There are six steps for the impeachment process.  Step 1.  House Judiciary Committee debates charges against the accused votes on whether to send articles of impeachment to the full House.

Impeachment Process  Step 2.  House considers the charges brought by the Judiciary Committee.  Step 3.  House votes on each article. If any article is approved by a majority vote, the official is impeached.  Step 4.  Senate tries the case.

Impeachment Process Step 5  Senators hear testimony and evidence. The house prosecutors and lawyers for both sides present their cases  Step 6  A two-third votes is required for the conviction from the senate 

The Executive Office of the President  Was created in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  Provides the president support that he needs to govern effectively.  The most visible parts of EOP is the White House Communications Office and Press Secretary’s Office.  The National Security Council provides the President on foreign policy, intelligence, and national security.

Press Secretary’s Office.  Provides daily briefings for the media on the President’s activity.  Provides daily briefings for the media on the President’s agenda.  The White House Military Office is responsible for services ranging from Air Force One to dining facilities.

The Cabinet  Is an advisory board made up of 15 executive departments.  Members of the Cabinet are often the President’s closest confidants.  Play an important role in the Presidential line of succession.

State  Advises President on foreign policy.  Negotiates agreements with foreign countries.  Represents USA abroad and in international organizations.

Treasury  Collect taxes.  Manages public debt.  Borrows money.  Produces coins and bills.  ENFORCES drugs and firearms laws.

Defense / Justice  Provides military forces to deter and protect nation’s security.  Justice ENFORCES federal laws to operate federal prisons.  Provides legal advice to the President.  Represents United States in court.

Agriculture  Manages public land and wildlife refuges.  Operates hydroelectric power plants.  Agriculture.  Manages national forests.  Inspects food and administers school lunch program.  Assists farmers and ranchers.

Commerce / Labor  Conducts census.  Grants patents and registers trademarks.  Promotes international trade and economic growth.  Labor.  Enforces federal laws on minimum wages.  Operates job training programs and administers unemployment insurance.

Health and Human Services / Housing and Urban Development  Funds healthcare research programs.  Administers Medicare.  ENFORCE pure food and drug laws.  Conducts programs to control and prevent diseases.  Operates home – financing and public housing programs.  ENFORCES fair housing laws.

Transportation / Energy  Administers programs to promote and regulate highways, railroads, waterways, and etc.  Energy.  Conducts nuclear weapons research and production.  Transmits and sells hydroelectric power.  Promotes production of newable energy, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy.

Education / Veteran Affairs  Conducts educational research.  Administers federal aid to schools.  Veteran Affairs.  Oversees military cemeteries.  Administers benefits, pension, and medical programs.

Homeland Security  Provides chemical, radiological, and nuclear defense.  Provides emergency preparedness and response.  Provides border and transportation security.

Independent Agencies  The independent agencies are:  united States Postal Service.  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).  The Environmental Protection Agency.  The United States Agency for International Development.

Executive Branch Questions  Question 1.  What does the President have the power to do and what is he responsible for?  Question 2.  True or False : A two-third vote is NOT required for the conviction from the Senate in the Impeachment Process of the President.  Question 3.  How many Executive Departments do we have in the Cabinet and name all of them?