1. ARTICLE II: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH The United States Government

2. The Executive Branch By the end of today’s lesson you will understand: 1.How the Executive Branch is organized. 2. How the President of the United States is elected. 3. The Roles and Responsibilities of the President and Vice President. 4. How the powers of the President prevent the other branches from abusing their powers.

3. Held every 4 years. Occur on the first Tuesday of November (following the first Monday) The President is the only official elected by the entire nation.

4. Electoral College There are 538 total electors. Based on:  1. Number of Representatives in the House,  2. Number of Senators,  3. And the three electors from Washington D.C. Example: in Washington State has 10 Reps and 2 Senators, so the state gets 12 electoral votes. Electors are chosen by the winners. If no candidate receives 270 or more votes the House of Representatives chooses a winner.

5. Electoral Votes by State

6. Is the Electoral College fair? Is it fair that California has 55 electoral votes and Wyoming and the Dakotas only have 3 each? Is it fair that a candidate can be elected President of the United States by winning as few as 11 states? What are some alternatives to the Electoral College? Proposed alternatives to the current system:  1. Popular Vote  2. Proportional Plan  3. District Plan

7. Who can run for President? Article 2, Section 1 of the Constitution Anyone who:  1. Is at least 35 years old, or older.  2. Was born a U.S. citizen.  3. Has lived in the United States for at least 14 years.

8. The Roles of the U.S. President What the President does for us

9. The Roles of the U.S. President What the President does for us  1. Commander in Chief Leader of the United States Armed Forces

10. The Roles of the U.S. President What the President does for us  1. Commander in Chief  2. Chief of State Symbol of the United States Government

11. The Roles of the U.S. President What the President does for us  1. Commander in Chief  2. Chief of State  3. Chief Executive Ensures that laws are “faithfully” enforced

12. The Roles of the U.S. President What the President does for us  1. Commander in Chief  2. Chief of State  3. Chief Executive  4. Chief Legislator Introduce or urge, as well as sign legislation (laws)

13. The Roles of the U.S. President What the President does for us  1. Commander in Chief  2. Chief of State  3. Chief Executive  4. Chief Legislator  5. Chief Diplomat Shapes Foreign Policy

14. The Roles of the U.S. President What the President does for us  1. Commander in Chief  2. Chief of State  3. Chief Executive  4. Chief Legislator  5. Chief Diplomat  6. Chief Administrator Head of the Federal Government

15. The Roles of the U.S. President What the President does for us  1. Commander in Chief  2. Chief of State  3. Chief Executive  4. Chief Legislator  5. Chief Diplomat  6. Chief Administrator  7. Chief Citizen Represents the American People and their Interest

16. The Roles of the U.S. President What the President does for us  1. Commander in Chief  2. Chief of State  3. Chief Executive  4. Chief Legislator  5. Chief Diplomat  6. Chief Administrator  7. Chief Citizen  8. Chief of Party Head of their political party

17. 22 nd and 25 th Amendments 22 nd Amendment: The President can only serve 2 terms. 25 th Amendment: Establishes a line of succession.  1. Vice President  2. Speaker of the House of Representatives  3. President Pro Tempore of the Senate  4. Secretary of State  5. Rest of the Cabinet (in the order the departments were formed)

18. Vice President Next in line for the presidency President of the Senate (casts tie breaking vote)

19. What are the Presidents powers? The presidents powers can be divided into 5 categories:  1. Executive powers  2. Legislative powers  3. Judicial powers  4. Diplomatic powers  5. Military powers

20. Executive Powers What is an “executive”? What is an “executive”? Administration and Enforcement of laws Executive orders Appointments  1. Judges (Federal and Supreme)  2. Ambassadors  3. Cabinet members  4. Heads of agencies. Try and name a few… Removals (NOT judges!)

21. Legislative Powers Even though the President is the head of the Executive Branch of government he can:  1. Recommend legislation to Congress  2. Sign bills passed by Congress  3. Veto bills passed by Congress  4. Call for special sessions of Congress

22. Judicial Powers Aside from appointing federal judges, the President can also: Grant a reprieve Grant a pardon Grant commutations Grant Amnesty

23. Military Powers As the Commander in Chief the President is the leader of the United State’s military. Only Congress can Declare war Korean and Vietnam conflicts War Powers Resolution of 1973:  Passed when Congress overrode President Nixon’s Veto.  Gave the President the ability to use troops in anyway without Congressional approval for 60 days.  After 60 days Congress has the power to force the President to cease military action.

24. Diplomatic Powers Signing Treaties Recognition Foreign Policy

25. What is a Cabinet? Cabinet- The leaders of the executive departments that advise the president. Members of the Cabinet are called “Secretary” Original Cabinet  1. Secretary of State  2. Secretary of Treasury  3. Secretary of War (now called Secretary of Defense)  4. Attorney General Now the Cabinet includes the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veteran’s Affairs, and Homeland Security.

26. Presidential Checks and Balances

27. What can the President do if Congress passes a law he doesn’t like?

28. Presidential Checks and Balances What can the President do if Congress passes a law he doesn’t like?  A: The President can veto or pocket-veto the law.

29. Presidential Checks and Balances What can the President do if Congress passes a law he doesn’t like?  A: The President can veto or pocket-veto the law. What if Congress overrides the President’s veto?

30. Presidential Checks and Balances What can the President do if Congress passes a law he doesn’t like?  A: The President can veto or pocket-veto the law. What if Congress overrides the President’s veto?  A: The President can choose not to enforce the law.

31. Presidential Checks and Balances What can the President do if Congress passes a law he doesn’t like?  A: The President can veto or pocket-veto the law. What if Congress overrides the President’s veto?  A: The President can choose not to enforce the law. What about the Supreme court? How can the President help ensure the Supreme court makes good decisions?

32. Presidential Checks and Balances What can the President do if Congress passes a law he doesn’t like?  A: The President can veto or pocket-veto the law. What if Congress overrides the President’s veto?  A: The President can choose not to enforce the law. What about the Supreme court? How can the President help ensure the Supreme court makes good decisions?  A: When there is a vacancy, the President has the power to nominate candidates for the Supreme Court.