ENFORCE LAWS

Executive Branch

The President’s Roles

Chief of State-ceremonial head of stateChief ExecutiveChief Administrator of Federal GovtChief Diplomat-foreign policyCommander in ChiefChief Legislator-sets shape of public policyChief of Party-leader of his political partyChief Citizen-representative of the people

Job Description

Qualifications Natural-born Citizen 35 years old Resident of the US for 14 years

Term Four year term with two-term limit*

Pay and Benefits $400,000 w/ $50,000 expenses, $19,000

entertainment Can not receive any other pay Fringe Benefits-White House, Plane, Car, Camp David,

etc $145,000 lifetime pension

Presidential Succession and VP

Succession-Presidential Succession Act of 1947 The plan by which a presidential vacancy is filled Dies, resigns, removed VP, Speaker, President pro temp, Sec. of State

Presidential Disability Temporary disability-either informed by Pres. or

Cabinet/VP Inform Congress to resume

Vice Presidency-President in waiting Preside over Senate Help decide question of presidential disability

Importance of the Office Ready to take Presidency at any moment If vacated, Pres nominate & Congress confirm

Changing View of Presidential Power

Power has Grown One person instead of many People look to President in times of emergency

War-WWI, WWII, Vietnam, etc Financial Crises-Great Depression, current status

Congress delegating authority to Pres. Attention-press, their party, & the public

How Presidents Viewed Their Power Broader views of powers-strong & effective Narrower views of powers-only do what is allowed

President’s Powers

Executing the Law Carries out nations laws-even if they disagree

Ordinance Power Executive branch under authority of Pres Executive orders-these have force of law

Appointing Power Cabinet, judges, ambassadors, etc-confirmed by

SenateRemoval Power

Appointees Exceptions-federal judges, independent agencies

Diplomatic and Military Powers

Power to Make Treaties Must be approved by Senate by 2/3

Executive Agreements-pact b/n Pres & for. official Most international agreements Do not require Senate approval

Power of Recognition Acknowledge the legal existence of a country Can determine a new governments future-Panama &

Israel Recall ambassadors-persona non grata

President’s Dominant Role in Military Affairs

Few limits to role of commander in chiefUse of military w/out declaration of war

Over 200 times-Vietnam & KoreaMay use military to keep domestic peaceWartime Powers-much greaterWar Powers Resolution-1973

Inform Congress of troop use abroad w/in 48 hours Congressional approval if commitment lasts 60 days Congress may end combat at any time Constitutionality disputed

Selective Service: All young males are required to sign up for the draft after they turn 18

Legislative Powers

State of the Union, Budget, Economic ReportRecommends legislationVeto Power

Outright veto-overturned by 2/3 vote in each house Pocket veto-not signed & Congress adjourns w/in 10

days Line-item veto-no longer allowed

Call special sessions of CongressMay adjourn Congress if two houses can’t

agree

Judicial Powers

Grant reprieves and pardons-federal offenses Reprieve-postponement of execution of sentence Pardon-legal forgiveness of a crime

Must be accepted by the person Any case except impeachment

Commute sentences or finesGrant amnesty

Pardon offered to group of law violatorsAppoints federal judges

Checks & Balances

oChecks on the Legislative Branch• Veto Bills• Can use public opinion to push legislation

oChecks on the Judicial Branch• Can grant pardons, amnesty, and

commute (shorten) sentences except for impeachment

Executive Office of the President

White House Office chief of staff, press sec, senior advisors, etc

National Security Council VP, Sec of State & Def, CIA, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Office of Management and Budget Prepares annual federal budget Plan to conduct govt and execute public policy

Office of National Drug Control Policy Prepares annual drug control policy-uses 50 agencies

Council of Economic Advisers Top three economists appointed by Pres

Other Units in Executive Office

Office of Policy Development-domestic policyNational Space CouncilCouncil on Environmental QualityOffice of US Trade RepresentativeNational Critical Materials CouncilOffice of Science and Technology PolicyOffice of Administration

Cabinet

Product of customAppointed by Pres.Confirmed by SenateMostly men, few women or minoritiesRole

Administrators of an executive department Advisers to President

Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy Millions of employees administering public policy

Examples: deliver mail, regulate nuclear power plants, control epidemics, park rangers, write Social Security checks, census takers, astronauts, Peace Corps volunteers, regulate banks, etc.

Departments Secretary = head of the department

Civil Service o Competitive exam given to hire employees based on

merito Prevents favors and nepotism Veterans get moved to top of the list Prevents dismissal for political reasons

Bureacracy

International Affairs

Ambassadors & Diplomats Representatives of the US stationed at the capital of

each countryForeign Policy

The actions taken in relation to other countriesForeign Aid

Economic & military aid given to other countries United Nations

Organization of countries to maintain international peace and justice

Deterrence Policy of military strength to prevent attacks