Chapter 7 NOTES The Executive Branch

Executive Branch- is headed by the President. Currently the President is Barack Obama and the Vice-President is Joe Biden. They both are Democrats. Executive Branch- is headed by the President. Currently the President is Barack Obama and the Vice-President is Joe Biden. They both are Democrats.

Qualifications Qualifications Must be at least 35 years old. Must be at least 35 years old. Must be a native born US citizen. Must be a native born US citizen. Must be a resident of the US for at least 14 years. Must be a resident of the US for at least 14 years.

Unwritten Qualifications Unwritten Qualifications All past Presidents have been male. All past Presidents have been male. Most have been white (Obama is first minority). Most have been white (Obama is first minority). All have been Christian. All have been Christian. Most have been lawyers. Most have been lawyers. Most have some political experience. Most have some political experience. Most are college educated. Most are college educated. Most are wealthy. Most are wealthy. Most are married Most are married

Term The President serves a 4-year term. He is limited to 2 terms. With a possibility of 10 years. The President serves a 4-year term. He is limited to 2 terms. With a possibility of 10 years. The 22nd Amendment limits the President to two terms in office The 22nd Amendment limits the President to two terms in office

22 nd Amendment The 22nd Amendment limits the President to two terms in office. The 22nd Amendment limits the President to two terms in office. He is also limited to a total of 10 years. He is also limited to a total of 10 years. This Amendment was ratified to stop Presidents from becoming to powerful. This Amendment was ratified to stop Presidents from becoming to powerful. F. Roosevelt was the only President to be elected to more than 2 terms. He was elected to 4 terms from F. Roosevelt was the only President to be elected to more than 2 terms. He was elected to 4 terms from

20 th Amendment Reduced the lame duck period. Reduced the lame duck period. Lame duck period is the time from the election until the time the President takes office. Lame duck period is the time from the election until the time the President takes office. Inauguration Day January 20th. The President is takes the oath of office on the steps of the Capital building at 12 noon. Inauguration Day January 20th. The President is takes the oath of office on the steps of the Capital building at 12 noon. The Chief Justice administers the oath to the President The Chief Justice administers the oath to the President

23 rd Amendment This Amendment gave 3 electoral votes to the District of Columbia. This Amendment gave 3 electoral votes to the District of Columbia. This allows people that live in Washington D.C. the ability to vote in Presidential Elections. This allows people that live in Washington D.C. the ability to vote in Presidential Elections.

Salary and Benefits Salary and Benefits The Presidents salary is 400,000 dollars a year. The Presidents salary is 400,000 dollars a year. He has a 50,000-dollar expense account. He has a 50,000-dollar expense account. Lives rent-free at the White House in Washington DC. There is also a resort at Camp David in Maryland. Lives rent-free at the White House in Washington DC. There is also a resort at Camp David in Maryland. The President also travels for free in his limo, his helicopter, and Air Force I. The President also travels for free in his limo, his helicopter, and Air Force I.

The President also receives a pension of 70,0000 dollars a year. His wife will receive 20,000 a year upon his death The President also receives a pension of 70,0000 dollars a year. His wife will receive 20,000 a year upon his death

The Vice- President The Vice- President The qualifications are the same as the President. The qualifications are the same as the President. The VP assumes the duties of the President upon the Presidents death, resignation, or impeachment and removal from office. The VP assumes the duties of the President upon the Presidents death, resignation, or impeachment and removal from office. His salary is 200,000 dollars a year. His salary is 200,000 dollars a year. 10 Vice-Presidents have been elected President in our history; George H. Bush was the last in Vice-Presidents have been elected President in our history; George H. Bush was the last in 1988.

Presidential Succession as Outlined by The 25th Amendment and The Presidential succession Act of 1974 Presidential Succession as Outlined by The 25th Amendment and The Presidential succession Act of 1974 The Vice-President takes over when the President cannot fulfill his duties. The Vice-President takes over when the President cannot fulfill his duties. The Presidential Succession Act along with 25th Amendment established a line of succession to the Presidency. The Presidential Succession Act along with 25th Amendment established a line of succession to the Presidency. The order is: The order is: Vice President Vice President Speaker of the House Speaker of the House President Pro-tempore President Pro-tempore Cabinet heads (based on their creation), The first would be the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Cabinet heads (based on their creation), The first would be the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Order Of Succession The Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture 10. Secretary of Commerce 11. Secretary of Labor 12. Secretary of Health 13. Secretary of Housing 14. Secretary of Transportation 15. Secretary of Energy 16. Secretary of Education 17. Secretary of Veterans Affairs 18. Homeland Security

Powers of The President (7 Hats) Powers of The President (7 Hats) Legislative Influence- the President has the power to suggest laws that are needed. He cannot indorse a bill, but he can ask a member of Congress to introduce one, or use the media to get his goals across to the American public. Legislative Influence- the President has the power to suggest laws that are needed. He cannot indorse a bill, but he can ask a member of Congress to introduce one, or use the media to get his goals across to the American public. The State of The Union Address- is given once a year in front of a joint session of Congress. The speech is nationally televised. The President outlines his goals for the country in the upcoming year. He also uses the speech to brag about his accomplishments The State of The Union Address- is given once a year in front of a joint session of Congress. The speech is nationally televised. The President outlines his goals for the country in the upcoming year. He also uses the speech to brag about his accomplishments

Veto Power- The President has the power to throw out any legislation that he does not like Veto Power- The President has the power to throw out any legislation that he does not like

Commander and Chief- the President is the leader of all of the US military branches. Only the President can order troops into battle. Commander and Chief- the President is the leader of all of the US military branches. Only the President can order troops into battle. War Power Act (1973)- limits the Presidents power to commit troops to battle without the consent of Congress. This Act was passed because of our involvement in the Viet Nam War. The President can commit our troops for 60 days, after that, he needs Congressional approvement to keep the troops involved. The President can use troops in emergency situations such as, natural disasters, UN resolutions, and humanitarian aid. War Power Act (1973)- limits the Presidents power to commit troops to battle without the consent of Congress. This Act was passed because of our involvement in the Viet Nam War. The President can commit our troops for 60 days, after that, he needs Congressional approvement to keep the troops involved. The President can use troops in emergency situations such as, natural disasters, UN resolutions, and humanitarian aid.

Budget Recommendations- The President suggests to Congress how much should be spent on the military. Under Ronald Reagan, we increased defense spending to combat the Soviet Union. Under Clinton we cut military spending, but currently President Bush is spending a lot on the defense because of 9/11, and the war with Iraq Budget Recommendations- The President suggests to Congress how much should be spent on the military. Under Ronald Reagan, we increased defense spending to combat the Soviet Union. Under Clinton we cut military spending, but currently President Bush is spending a lot on the defense because of 9/11, and the war with Iraq

Foreign Policy -this refers to our relations with foreign countries. Foreign Policy -this refers to our relations with foreign countries. Treaty- is a written agreement between the US and another country. All treaties must be approved by the Senate by a 2/3-majority vote Treaty- is a written agreement between the US and another country. All treaties must be approved by the Senate by a 2/3-majority vote Executive Agreement- An agreement between the leaders of 2 nations Executive Agreement- An agreement between the leaders of 2 nations

Judicial Influence- The President has the power to appoint federal judges. Judicial Influence- The President has the power to appoint federal judges. Reprieve- postpones the carrying out of a sentence. This allows time to find new evidence for a new trial. Reprieve- postpones the carrying out of a sentence. This allows time to find new evidence for a new trial. Pardon- this forgives a person of a crime that they committed. The most famous pardon was when Ford pardoned Nixon after Watergate. Pardon- this forgives a person of a crime that they committed. The most famous pardon was when Ford pardoned Nixon after Watergate. Amnesty- this is similar to a pardon except this pardons a large group of people. An example is when Carter gave amnesty to all of the people who dodged the draft during the Viet Nam War Amnesty- this is similar to a pardon except this pardons a large group of people. An example is when Carter gave amnesty to all of the people who dodged the draft during the Viet Nam War

There are 15 Executive departments. There are 15 Executive departments. Each department has a head called a secretary (exception/attorney general). The Secretary advises the President and they run their department. Each department has a head called a secretary (exception/attorney general). The Secretary advises the President and they run their department.

Major Departments Major Departments The State Department- carries out relations with foreign nations. Also issues passports, and represents the US as ambassadors in Embassies in foreign nations. The Secretary of State is Colin Powell. The State Department- carries out relations with foreign nations. Also issues passports, and represents the US as ambassadors in Embassies in foreign nations. The Secretary of State is Colin Powell. The Treasury Department- Responsibility is to print money, and to collect taxes (IRS). The Secretary of the Treasury is John Snow. The Treasury Department- Responsibility is to print money, and to collect taxes (IRS). The Secretary of the Treasury is John Snow. The Defense Department- Responsible for supervising the military and the CIA. The Secretary of Defense is Robert Gates. The Defense Department- Responsible for supervising the military and the CIA. The Secretary of Defense is Robert Gates. The Justice Department- enforces federal laws and oversees the FBI. The Attorney General is Alberto Gonzalez. The Justice Department- enforces federal laws and oversees the FBI. The Attorney General is Alberto Gonzalez.

Federal Agencies – Are government agencies under control of the Executive Branch. Federal Agencies – Are government agencies under control of the Executive Branch. Government Corporations- Are companies that are run by the federal government. They are non-profit groups, this helps out Americans by keeping costs down (USPS). Government Corporations- Are companies that are run by the federal government. They are non-profit groups, this helps out Americans by keeping costs down (USPS).

FBI- Federal Bureau of Investigation, enforces federal law FBI- Federal Bureau of Investigation, enforces federal law FCC- Federal Communications Commission regulates standards in the commission industry, radio, TV, and the Internet. FCC- Federal Communications Commission regulates standards in the commission industry, radio, TV, and the Internet. CIA- Central Intelligence Agency provides information on foreign countries and their governments. CIA- Central Intelligence Agency provides information on foreign countries and their governments. IRS- Internal Revenue Service collects federal income taxes. IRS- Internal Revenue Service collects federal income taxes. NASA- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, responsible for our space program. NASA- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, responsible for our space program. OSHA- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, regulates safety standards for workers. OSHA- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, regulates safety standards for workers. FDA- Food and Drug Administration, food inspection, labeling of products, and testing of new products. FDA- Food and Drug Administration, food inspection, labeling of products, and testing of new products. FDIC- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Insures bank investments FDIC- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Insures bank investments ICC- Interstate Commerce Commission, Unfair business practices and trading. ICC- Interstate Commerce Commission, Unfair business practices and trading. VA- Veterans Administration, provides help for former military personnel. VA- Veterans Administration, provides help for former military personnel.

Bureaucracy- there are over 5 million federal employees that are involved with the Executive Branch. It is the largest branch in the Federal Government Bureaucracy- there are over 5 million federal employees that are involved with the Executive Branch. It is the largest branch in the Federal Government