The Executive Branch

I. The president is the national executive. According to the Constitution, the job of the president is to enforce federal laws passed by Congress. He or she is elected to a four year term of office and may be re-elected only once (22nd Amendment).

The Constitution states that the requirements for someone to run for president are:

• at least 35 years old• have lived in the U.S. for the last 14 years• a natural-born citizen (must have been born in the U.S.)

The vice-president assists the president. The Constitution mentions only two jobs for the vice-president: to be the leader of the Senate, and to take over if something happens to the president.

Vice president Joe Biden

The president and vice-president are advised by his cabinet, made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments (Dept of State, Dept of Defense, Dept of Justice, etc.).

Other responsibilities of the president and v.p.:•signs and vetoes laws passed by Congress•deals with other countries as chief diplomat•leads all of the armed forces•submits a yearly budget to Congress•acts as party leader•gives a yearly State of the Union speech to Congress• represents the U.S. to the rest of the world

II. The governor is the state executive. The job of the governor and the state executive branch is to enforce laws passed by the Virginia General Assembly. In Virginia, the governor is elected to a four year term, and according to the Virginia Constitution, unlike the president, may NOT be re-elected.

Virginia’s Governor Bob McDonnell

Virginia’s governor is helped by the lieutenant governor. He or she helps the governor execute the laws.

In addition to the governor and lieutenant governor, the state has an attorney general. He or she is the top prosecutor for the state, and works closely with the state police to find and prosecute criminals.

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli

The responsibilities of governor and the state executive branch:• signs and vetoes laws passed

by the General Assembly• presents a biennial budget to

the General Assembly• appoints cabinet officials and

state boards• gives a yearly State of the

Commonwealth speech to the General Assembly

• grants pardons within the state

III. The mayor is the local executive. He or she is responsible for executing the local ordinances passed by the city council.

Local governments can also have city managers or a Board of Supervisors. These people help with planning and overseeing the local government with the mayor. Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms