ARTICLE II: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH The United States Government

ARTICLE I I : THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The United States Government

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.

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.

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.

Electoral Votes by State

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

Who can run for President?

Article 2, Section 1 of the ConstitutionAnyone 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.

The Roles of the U.S. President

What the President does for us


What the President does for us 1. Commander in Chief

Leader of the United States Armed Forces


What the President does for us 1. Commander in Chief 2. Chief of State

Symbol of the United States Government


What the President does for us 1. Commander in Chief 2. Chief of State 3. Chief Executive

Ensures that laws are “faithfully” enforced


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)


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


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


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


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

22nd and 25th Amendments

22nd Amendment: The President can only serve 2 terms.

25th 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)

Vice President

Next in line for the presidencyPresident of the Senate (casts tie breaking

vote)

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

Executive PowersWhat is an “executive”?

What is an “executive”?Administration and Enforcement of lawsExecutive ordersAppointments

1. Judges (Federal and Supreme) 2. Ambassadors 3. Cabinet members 4. Heads of agencies. Try and name a few…

Removals (NOT judges!)

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

Judicial Powers

Aside from appointing federal judges, the President can also:

Grant a reprieveGrant a pardonGrant commutationsGrant Amnesty

Military Powers

As the Commander in Chief the President is the leader of the United State’s military.

Only Congress can Declare warKorean and Vietnam conflictsWar 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.

Diplomatic Powers

Signing TreatiesRecognitionForeign Policy

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.

Presidential Checks and Balances


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


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?



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?




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.

Documents

ARTICLE II: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH The United States Government