Structure and Functions of the Executive Branch Principles of GPA

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Roles of the Presidency Chief of state – Ceremonial head of the government – Symbol of the people Chief executive – Broad executive power – domestic and foreign – Limited by checks and balances 3 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Roles of the Presidency (continued) Chief administrator of executive branch – 27 million civilians employed under his direction – $3 trillion a year spent Chief diplomat – Main architect of foreign policy – Nation’s spokesperson to the world 4 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Roles of the Presidency (continued) Commander in chief – Head of the nation’s armed forces – Dominant in military and foreign affairs Chief legislator – Main author of public policy – Shapes the congressional agenda 5 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Roles of the Presidency (continued) Chief of party (not from Constitution) – Leader of the party that controls the executive branch – Not a role set forth in the Constitution, but much of the President’s real power and influence stem from this role Chief citizen (not from Constitution) – Representative of all the people – Expected to champion public over private interests – Not a role set forth in the Constitution 6 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Qualifications of the President 7 A natural born citizen At least 35 years old A resident of the United States for at least 14 years 7 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Term Limits 8 Four-year term with eligibility for reelection Until 1951, Constitution placed no limit on the number of terms a President can serve Unwritten rule (starting with George Washington) was no more than two terms The 22 nd Amendment says no President may serve more than 10 years in office 8 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Powers Given in the Constitution 9 Power to ensure laws of the land are executed Command the armed forces Make treaties Approve or veto acts of Congress Call special sessions of Congress 9 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Powers Given in the Constitution (continued) 10 Send and receive diplomatic representatives Judicial power to grant reprieves and pardon offenses against the U.S. ‒ Commutation ‒ Amnesty 10 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Growth of Presidential Power 11 Single, commanding officer = unity Strong Presidents such as Abraham Lincoln Increasingly complex economic and social life Need for immediate and decisive action in times of crisis Holds public attention to build support for policies and actions 11 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Executing the Law 12 The Constitution requires the President to execute all federal laws Ordinance power for executive orders Interpret laws Congress has written in broad terms Works out the details of laws enacted by Congress 12 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Executive Office of the President (EOP) 13 The President’s right arm Complex organization of agencies serving as 900 of the President’s closest advisors Established in 1939 Reorganized in every administration 13 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

EOP Agencies 14 White House office President’s inner circle Advises on foreign policy, defense, homeland security, the economy, etc. National Security Council (NSC) Advises on domestic, foreign, and military matters related to national security Includes the Vice President, and the secretaries of state, treasury, and defense 14 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

EOP Agencies (continued) 15 Office of Management and Budget Prepares the federal budget Monitors spending Keeps the President up to date on the work of all agencies 15 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

EOP Agencies (continued) 16 Office of National Drug Control Policy Council of Economic Advisors Domestic Policy Council Council on Environmental Quality 16 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

The Cabinet Departments 17 Also known as the executive departments Much of the work of the Federal Government is done by these 15 departments Employ nearly two-thirds of the Federal Government workforce First Congress created three cabinet departments in 1789 As the federal government grew Congress added new departments 17 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Informal advisory body Made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments and top officials chosen by the President Importance of the Cabinet is declining: ‒ Cabinet used to be the principal source of presidential advice ‒ Growth of other presidential resources such as the EOP eclipsing Cabinet’s role ‒ Cabinet sessions today show unified support rather than early decision-making The Cabinet Departments (continued) 18 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

15 Cabinet Departments Dept. of State Dept. of Defense Dept. of Treasury Dept. of Justice Dept. of Interior Dept. of Agriculture Dept. of Commerce Dept. of Labor Dept. of Energy Dept. of Health & Human Services Dept. of Housing & Urban Development Dept. of Transportation Dept. of Education Dept. of Veterans Affairs Dept. of Homeland Security 19 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Independent Agencies 20 More than 100 agencies located outside the Cabinet departments Some administer programs similar to those of the Cabinet departments Distinguishing between the two is difficult, causing administrative confusion Examples: NASA, Social Security Administration 20 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Resources , Macgruder’s American Government, McClenaghan, W., Pearson, Prentice Hall, (Chs ) Frayer, D., Frederick, W. C., and Klausmeier, H. J. (1969). A Schema for Testing the Level of Cognitive Mastery. Madison, WI: Wisconsin Center for Education Research Do an Internet search for the following: executive power teaching through current events. 21 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.