1. Structure and Function of the Executive Branch: FEDERAL LEVEL
UNIT IV – Legislative and Executive Branches

2. Executive Branch Basic Info
Led by: U.S. President
In waiting: Vice President
Role: enforce laws
Lives in: Washington, D.C. at the White House
Salary:
P -$400,000
VP - $230,700
Terms: 4 years, limit of 2 terms

3. Presidential Qualifications
Age: at least 35
Citizenship: born a U.S. citizen
Residency: live in U.S. for at least 14 years
Same qualifications for VP
Theodore Roosevelt
Youngest president: 42
Ronald Reagan Oldest president: 69

4. What happens if… VP becomes new president
SCENARIO #1 – ONLY THE PRESIDENT DIES
SCENARIO #2 – PRESIDENT AND VP DIE
VP becomes new president
A new VP will be appointed and approved by the Senate
Presidential Succession Act kicks in, there are a line of people waiting to take the spot
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore
Secretary of State

5. Presidential Amendments
12th Amendment
20th Amendment
22nd Amendment
25th Amendment
President and VP must be elected together, no more 1st/2nd place
Changed inauguration date from March to January 20th
Limits the president to two full terms in office
Details how to name a new VP if the president dies

6. It’s not just about the president!

7. Organization of the Executive Branch
President
Cabinet Members (Heads of Departments)
Secretaries
Departments
Treasury
State
Justice
Agency Directors
Defense
Agencies
ATF
FAA
FBI
CIA
EPA

8. Presidential Advisors – The Cabinet
Number of members: 15, one for each federal department
Obtaining the job: appointed by President with Senate approval
Job: to advise the president in their area of expertise and run their department
Called: Secretaries (like Sec. of State), one exception is the head of the Department of Justice, he is known as the Attorney General

9. President’s Closest Allies
VICE PRESIDENT
FIRST LADY
Constitution only give the VP the job of President of the Senate
Today the VP acts as another advisor to the President, he usually has expertise in an area the president lacks in
Not mentioned at all in Constitution
Used to only be responsible for being a hostess at events
Now plays a role in influencing policy, usually a “mommy issue”
Does not get paid