EXECUTIVE BRANCH

JOB Approves/vetoes laws Enforces the laws

LEADER

President Barack Obama

TERM 4 years

Can only serve 2 terms (22nd Amendment ratified 1951)

QUALIFICATIONS Must be at least 35 years old

Must be a natural born U.S. citizen

Lived at least 14 years in U.S.

DUTIES of President Serves as head-of-state

• Meets with leaders of other countries Chief of Government

• The boss of every federal gov’t worker Commander in Chief - official head of

U.S. military Approves/vetoes laws

• Pres. can not write a bill, only propose one

SECOND IN COMMAND Vice President

Joseph Biden

DUTIES of V.P. Presiding officer of the Senate

• Breaks a tie vote Attends cabinet meetings Sits on committees Succeeds the president in case of

death or incapacitation25th amendment – Presidential

succession

Executive Agencies Federal Bureau of Investigation

(1908) Central Intelligence Agency

• Modern CIA formed in 1942 Drug Enforcement Agency (1973) Federal Emergency Management

Administration (1803)

CABINET Advisors to the

president – Why?• Because the

president can’t do the job alone!

1. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – represents the president in foreign affairs

Cabinet continued

2. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (also the secretary under George W. Bush)• Advises the

president on military matters

Cabinet continued

3. Attorney General Eric Holder• Created by

Judiciary Act of 1789

• Advises the president on legal matters

Cabinet continued

4. Director of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano

• Advises on border security and acts of homeland terrorism

Cabinet continued

5. Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner• In charge of

revenue collection, extending credit, money production, & economic policy

Cabinet continued

6. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan• Advises and

promotes education initiatives

Formal election of the president Candidate needs 270 electoral votes

to win If there is a tie, the House votes for

the president

*to calculate the number of electoral votes you add the # of members of the House to the # of the Senate

Electoral College

Electoral College Map

2008 Presidential Election