1. Ch. 7
The Executive Branch

2. Roles of the President Chief Executive Chief Diplomat
Commander-in-Chief
Chief Legislator
Head of State
Economic Leader
Party Leader

3. Chief Executive
As Chief Executive, the president is in charge of 15 cabinet departments and more than 3 million government workers.
The president appoints the heads of cabinet departments and large agencies (Senate must approve)
Ex. Dept. of Defense, State Dept., Dept. of Treasury

4. The president does not have any legislative powers (can not make laws), but he can issue executive orders—rules or commands that have the force of law.
Can be good for the nation—Ex. Order 9981 (1948) desegregates military
Can be detrimental to the country—Ex. Order 9066 (1942) Japanese American Internment camps

5. Power of Appointment
The president can appoint federal judges, including Supreme Court justices.
This is important because the way the Supreme Court interprets laws greatly affects life in the U.S.
Most presidents will appoint justices who share views similar to their own
Influence will be felt long after they leave the White House

6. Besides the power of appointment, the president does have some judicial powers.
The president can grant pardons, or declarations of forgiveness and freedom from punishment
The president can also issue a reprieve, an order to delay a person’s punishment until a higher court can hear the case.
Commute sentences – person keeps the charge but doesn’t have to serve sentence
Can also grant amnesty, a pardon toward a group of people.

7. Examples of Presidential Amnesties
In 1795 President George Washington issued an amnesty to all participants in the Whiskey Rebellion, which involved a protest by farmers in Pennsylvania against paying federal taxes
The power of amnesty was also used by Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter for more than 10,000 individuals who had resisted the draft during the Vietnam War.

8. Bill Clinton’s Pardons “Pardongate”
Carlos A. Vignali had his sentence for cocaine trafficking commuted, after serving 6 of 15 years in federal prison.
Roger Clinton, the president's half-brother, on drug charges after having served the entire sentence more than a decade before. Roger Clinton would be charged with drunk driving and disorderly conduct in an unrelated incident within a year of the pardon.
138 more pardons in the last months of office.
Bush did the same thing – 189 total plus 11 commutes.

9. Which of the following is a check by the executive as Chief executive?
Vetoes Bills
Appoint judges
Issues executive orders
Appoints officials 9

10. Chief Diplomat
The president is responsible for directing foreign policy, or the country’s strategy on how we deal with foreign nations and the relationships we build 10

11. Commander-in-Chief
As commander-in-chief, the president is in charge of all branches of the armed forces.
Congress and the president share the power to make war. Only Congress can declare war, but only the president can order soldiers into battle.
Can order troops to end disturbances within the U.S

12. Commander in Chief
Congress has declared war only 5 times, yet presidents have sent troops into action over 150 times.
After the undeclared Vietnam War, Congress passed the War Powers Act (1973)
The President must inform Congress he is sending troops into battle immediately & he must bring them home after 60 days unless Congress grants an extension or declares war 12

13. Chief Legislator Leads Congress in lawmaking
Can write a bill but someone in Congress must introduce
Gains support for legislation through the mass media 13

14. Chief Legislator
Only Congress may introduce bills, but the executive branch proposes most legislation.
All presidents have a legislative program that they want Congress to pass.
The speeches they give to key members of Congress and the public is done so to build support for their programs.
The presidents’ staff works on the laws with members of Congress. Ex. Patriot Act or tax cuts

15. Chief Legislator The president and Congress often disagree.
A main reason for that the president represents the whole nation. Congress members only represent their states or districts
Another reason is that the president can only serve two terms. Many Congress members win reelection many times and remain in office sometimes for decades.
As a result, the president often wants to move faster on programs than members of Congress do. (Status Quo v. Change)

16. Head of State/Chief of State
The president is the living symbol of the U.S.
As head of state, the president is responsible for hosting visiting foreign leaders and carrying out ceremonial functions. Ex. Awarding medals or throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game.

17. Economic Leader
As a country’s economic leader, it is the presidents’ job to ensure that the economy is prospering.
The president must plan the federal budget and try to deal with problems such as unemployment, rising prices (inflation), and high taxation.
Makes sure the nation prospers
Makes sound fiscal policy

18. Party Leader The president is the face of his or her political party.
Members of the political party work hard to elect the president into office.
In return, the president gives speeches to raise campaign money and help fellow party members win political office in the Senate, House, and Governor’s seats.

19. How long is a Senator’s term?
2 years
4 years
6 years
8 years 19

20. What is the main purpose of Congress?
Make Treaties
Make Laws
Approve executive appointments
Approve Treaties 20