Powers/Limits of the PresidentRoles of the President

Executive Branch Organization

The Executive Branch

Presidents Rap

The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.

-Article II

OverviewThe President is the head of the Executive Branch. Empowered and Limited by the Constitution, Article II

Responsible for executing or carrying out laws - “he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed (Art. II Section 3)”

Responsible for leading and setting goals (Agenda) for the nation in Domestic and Foreign Policy.

Qualifications/LimitsFramers Limited the Power of the President due to context of tyranny.

Must be 35 years old, natural-born citizen, 14 years in US

4 year term, must run for re-election for second term.

22nd Amendment, no more than 2 terms

President does not make laws, only carries them out.

Powers/LimitsThe President appoints (Sup. Court justices)

Makes other executive appointments (ambassadors, Cabinet, approx. 7,000 total)

May grant pardonsPresident can make treaties (with 2/3 Senate approval)

Executive AgreementsExecutive Orders must be Constitutional (Jud. Review)

Congress can impeach

Roles of the President“I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely

any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.” - George Washington

The President is both the head of state and head of government of the United States of America, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

Over history, multiple duties and roles became characteristic of the American Presidency.

Chief ExecutiveHead of executive branch; responsible for executing laws. May issue executive orders, but they may not violate the constitution or laws already made by congress.

Executive Powers: Appoint, Pardon facilitate checks and balances with the Judicial branch.

Commander-In-Chief

“The President shall be commander in chief of the army and navy of the United States.”

Leader of US armed forces. War Powers ResolutionLeaving Iraq

At Ft. Bragg, Obama welcomes troops home from Iraq

Chief DiplomatThe President is the highest representative of the US to other nations.

the President determines US foreign Policy with other countries.

Ambassadors and treaties must be approved by the Senate.

Chief LegislatorThe President is the main architect

of domestic policy. The president initiates and influences legislation as well as sets the overall national agenda. The President announces this agenda in State of the Union addresses. The President influences Congress by using the veto and by making (proposing) the national budget.

Chief of StateThe President is the ceremonial head of the US

government (aka, head of state). The President symbolically represents the values, goals and unity of the American people.

Examples:1. Awarding medals to students receiving academic honors. 2. Congratulating astronauts upon their return from space travel. 3. Greeting visitors to the White House. 4. Delivering the State of the Union Address.

Party Leader

Party Leader: Head of political party. In this role, the president helps members of his political party get elected or appointed to office. The president campaigns for those members who have supported his policies. At the end of a term the president may campaign for reelection with his party’s support.

Examples:1. Choosing leading party members to serve in the

Cabinet. 2. Traveling to California to speak at a rally for a party

nominee to the U.S. Senate.

More Roles…

Chief Guardian of the Economy: In this role, the president is concerned with such things as unemployment, high prices, taxes, business profits, and the general prosperity of the country. The president does not control the economy, but is expected to help it run smoothly.Examples:

1. Meeting with economic advisers to discuss ways to reduce unemployment.  

2. Meeting with business and labor leaders to discuss their needs and problems.

3. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Executive Branch - Organization3 main parts of the Executive Branch:

1. the Executive Office of the President (EOP)

2. the executive departments Cabinet Video

3. and independent agencies

Bureaucracy: an organization of government departments, agencies, and offices.

Administration: a team of executive branch officials appointed by the President.

Executive Office of the PresidentWhite House Staff: includes chief of staff, key advisors, press secretary, speechwriters, etc. (about 1,800 people).

Vice PresidentSpecial Advisory Groups: Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the National Security Council (NSC), and the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA).

Executive DepartmentsCabinet: The President appoints the head of each

executive department (upon approval of Senate). These department heads form the core of the President’s Cabinet, an essential group of advisors.

the 15 executive departments form the largest part of the executive branch. Each department helps fulfill one or more of the President’s roles and duties.

In line to succeed the presidency.List of Departments and Cabinet members (also

p.204)1st Three in 1789 = State, Treasury, War (Defense)

Independent Agencies (p. 206)There are 3 types of independent agencies:

executive agencies, regulatory commissions, and government corporations.

Executive agencies: are under direct control of the President (CIA, NASA, EPA, etc.)

Regulatory Commissions: created by congress, makes and carries out rules for a certain business or economic activity. POTUS chooses board members (FCC, CPSC, FEC).

Government Corporations: For Profit, but too broad/risky to be private, water companies, USPS, FDIC, etc.

Resourceshttp://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget_factsheets

_departmentshttp://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinethttp://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/executi

ve-branchhttp://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=en

dscreen&v=xxSvi6JCCfk (Cabinet)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fBWo_TO7xQ (State of the Union)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7ch13ZuMu8 (the situation room)

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/collections/presidents/