1. Chapter 9.2: The Organization of the Executive Branch
Class Notes

2. Introduction
Bureaucracy=organization that helps the President carry out laws
Administration=helps to direct the bureaucracy

3. Three Parts of the Administration
1. Executive Office of the President
main job— advise the President on important matters
White House Staff
President’s most trusted advisers
Information and advice on important matters
all hired by the President without Senate approval

4. Three Parts of the Administration
Vice-President
Constitution gives one job—President of the Senate
Choice of each President the extent of the VP’s role
Becomes President if President dies
Special Advisory Groups
OMB=Office of Management and Budget
decided how much programs will cost, prepares budget
NSC=National Security Council
major role in foreign policy

5. Three Parts of the Administration
2. The Executive Departments
15—do much of the work in carrying out nation’s laws and running government programs
each one helps fulfill one of the President’s duties
Newest Department: Homeland Security
Includes Coast Guard, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Transportation Security Administration
The Cabinet
President appoints head of each department
all called Secretary except Attorney General
Head of each department is a member of the Cabinet

6. Three Parts of the Administration
3. Independent Agencies
Three types:
Executive Agencies
Direct control of the President—NASA, EPA
Regulatory Commissions
12 Commissions—make and carry out rules for specific business or economic activity
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Government Corporations
Try to make a profit, too risky/expensive for private business
For example: Post Office

7. The Civil Service System
President appoints less than 1% of workers in Executive Branch
1883—Civil Service System began
Government workers, “civil servants,” hired on basis of merit
Tests exist for most jobs
Trained workers stay from one administration to the next

8. 9.3: Presidents and Power

9. Introduction
President has freedom to take action to meet national goals.
Negotiate executive agreements with other countries
Executive privilege keep vital information secret
President needs to act quickly in a time of crisis

10. Examples of Presidential Power
Jefferson and Louisiana Purchase
Very large expenditure
Added new territory to the U.S.
Ruled acceptable—reasonable extension of power to make treaties

11. Examples of Presidential Power
Truman and the Steel Mills
Steel Workers threatened to strike
Korean War—military needed steel
Truman issued executive order
Secretary of Commerce in charge of mills
Ruled illegal:
Supreme Court ruled that the President does not have the power to take private property even in a national emergency

12. Examples of Presidential Power
Nixon and Watergate
1972 break in at Democratic National Headquarters, Watergate Hotel
reporters discovered that members of the White House Staff helped plan the burglary and tried to cover up the events
Congressional Investigation
Nixon had tape recorded all his conversations
Refused to make public, claimed executive privilege
Supreme Court ordered Nixon to turn over tape
Resigned before Congress could impeach