Structure and Functions of the Executive Branch Principles of GPA

Structure and Functions of the Executive BranchPrinciples of GPA

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Roles of the Presidency

• Chief of state – Ceremonial head of the government– Symbol of the people

• Chief executive– Broad executive power – domestic and foreign– Limited by checks and balances

3Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved.Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Roles of the Presidency (continued)

• Chief administrator of executive branch– 27 million civilians employed under his direction– $3 trillion a year spent

• Chief diplomat– Main architect of foreign policy– Nation’s spokesperson to the world



• Commander in chief – Head of the nation’s armed forces– Dominant in military and foreign affairs

• Chief legislator– Main author of public policy– Shapes the congressional agenda



• Chief of party (not from Constitution)– Leader of the party that controls the executive branch– Not a role set forth in the Constitution, but much of the

President’s real power and influence stem from this role

• Chief citizen (not from Constitution)– Representative of all the people– Expected to champion public over private interests– Not a role set forth in the Constitution


Qualifications of the President

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• A natural born citizen• At least 35 years old• A resident of the United States for at least 14

years


Term Limits

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• Four-year term with eligibility for reelection• Until 1951, Constitution placed no limit on

the number of terms a President can serve• Unwritten rule (starting with George

Washington) was no more than two terms • The 22nd Amendment says no President may

serve more than 10 years in office


Powers Given in the Constitution

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• Power to ensure laws of the land are executed

• Command the armed forces• Make treaties• Approve or veto acts of Congress• Call special sessions of Congress


Powers Given in the Constitution(continued)

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• Send and receive diplomatic representatives

• Judicial power to grant reprieves and pardon offenses against the U.S.

‒ Commutation

‒ Amnesty


Growth of Presidential Power

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• Single, commanding officer = unity • Strong Presidents such as Abraham

Lincoln• Increasingly complex economic and

social life• Need for immediate and decisive action

in times of crisis• Holds public attention to build support for

policies and actions11Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved.

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Executing the Law

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• The Constitution requires the President to execute all federal laws

• Ordinance power for executive orders

• Interpret laws Congress has written in broad terms

• Works out the details of laws enacted by Congress


Executive Office of the President (EOP)

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• The President’s right arm

• Complex organization of agencies serving as 900 of the President’s closest advisors

• Established in 1939

• Reorganized in every administration


EOP Agencies

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• White House office

• President’s inner circle

• Advises on foreign policy, defense, homeland security, the economy, etc.

• National Security Council (NSC)

• Advises on domestic, foreign, and military matters related to national security

• Includes the Vice President, and the secretaries of state, treasury, and defense


EOP Agencies (continued)

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• Office of Management and Budget

• Prepares the federal budget

• Monitors spending

• Keeps the President up to date on the work of all agencies


EOP Agencies (continued)

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• Office of National Drug Control Policy

• Council of Economic Advisors

• Domestic Policy Council

• Council on Environmental Quality


The Cabinet Departments

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• Also known as the executive departments

• Much of the work of the Federal Government is done by these 15 departments

• Employ nearly two-thirds of the Federal Government workforce

• First Congress created three cabinet departments in 1789

• As the federal government grew Congress added new departments


• Informal advisory body • Made up of the heads of the 15 executive

departments and top officials chosen by the President

• Importance of the Cabinet is declining:‒ Cabinet used to be the principal source of

presidential advice

‒ Growth of other presidential resources such as the EOP eclipsing Cabinet’s role

‒ Cabinet sessions today show unified support rather than early decision-making

The Cabinet Departments (continued)


15 Cabinet Departments• Dept. of State• Dept. of Defense• Dept. of Treasury• Dept. of Justice• Dept. of Interior• Dept. of Agriculture• Dept. of Commerce• Dept. of Labor• Dept. of Energy

• Dept. of Health & Human Services

• Dept. of Housing & Urban Development

• Dept. of Transportation• Dept. of Education• Dept. of Veterans Affairs• Dept. of Homeland

Security


Independent Agencies

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• More than 100 agencies located outside the Cabinet departments

• Some administer programs similar to those of the Cabinet departments

• Distinguishing between the two is difficult, causing administrative confusion

• Examples: NASA, Social Security Administration


Resources• 9780133656329, Macgruder’s American Government,

McClenaghan, W., Pearson, Prentice Hall, 2008. (Chs. 13-15)

• Frayer, D., Frederick, W. C., and Klausmeier, H. J. (1969). A Schema for Testing the Level of Cognitive Mastery. Madison, WI: Wisconsin Center for Education Research

• Do an Internet search for the following: executive power teaching through current events.


Documents

Structure and Functions of the Executive Branch Principles of GPA