Unit 5 – Executive Branch“Nearly all men can stand

adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

-Abraham Lincoln

Chapter 17• Authority

– Article II of the Constitution– “the executive power shall be vested in

the president of the United States of America

• Qualifications - formal– Natural born citizen– At least 35 years of age– Resident of the US for 14 years before

taking office• Qualifications – Informal

– Political experience– Acceptability – moderate, likable– Financially successful– College education– married

Terms and Benefits• 22nd Amendment– 2 terms or 10 years– Not term limits until then

• Compensation– $400,000 per year– $50,000 expense account

• Benefits– Live in White House, travel on Airforce One,

vacation at Camp David, Secret Service protection, huge staff

25th Amendment• States that the office of the president will be taken

over by the VP in case of death or disability• Creates an order of presidential succession

– VP, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tem, Secretary of State

• Steps to choosing a new Vice-President• Steps to deciding disability

Lyndon Johnson takes the presidential oath of office

after the assassination of JFK

The Cabinet• Not in the Constitution – inherent power

– Started with George Washington• 15 heads of executive departments (chapter 19)• Appointed by the President and approved by the Senate (checking

power)– Often appointed based on politics– Women, race, different geographic areas,

• Most do not have day-to-day contact with the President– State, Justice, Defense, Treasury

• Role depends on the President – lesser role than in the beginning

Executive Departments

State—handles foreign policy matters; Treasury—manages tax collection, currency

production, governmental borrowing, the national debt;

Defense—oversees the U.S. military; Justice—responsible for law enforcement and

prosecution.Interior—handles issues relating to the use and

conservation of public lands; Agriculture—handles issues relating to farms and

ranches, and production and sales of food; Commerce—focuses on trade issues surrounding

U.S.; issues patents and trademarks; conducts U.S. census;

Labor—handles issues dealing with labor unions, wages, and working conditions.

Health and Human Services—public health care, disease prevention and control, and prescription drugs;

Housing and Urban Development—enforces fair housing laws, oversees public housing and home-financing programs;

Transportation—transportation used in the U.S.; Energy—manages a variety of programs relating to

different forms of energy production.Education—administers federal aid to schools;

researches education-related issuesVeterans Affairs—manages programs and other

forms of aid for U.S. military veterans;Homeland Security—U.S. border/public domain

security; emergency preparedness and response.

The Executive Office of the President (EOP)

• Top advisors and assistants who help the president carry out major duties– Started by Franklin Roosevelt for the New Deal– Do not have to be approved by the Senate (except for

a few positions) – do not have to be politically correct– Generally trusted people who work closely with the

president

Chief of StaffRahm Emanuel

Administrative Units in the EOP• White House Office – Chief of Staff, Press Secretary

– Handles public relations, analyzes problems and suggests solutions

• National Security Council – Pres, VP, Sec of State, Sec of Defense, National Security Advisor, Director of the CIA, Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Director of the FBI– Assistance and advice for matters on military, foreign affairs,

national security• Office of Management and Budget

– Creates the annual budget to be proposed to Congress

Press SecretaryRobert Gibbs

CIA director Leon Panetta

President at WorkChapter 18

• Constitutional Powers – page 477– vague “executive power” – listed in Article II sections 2 and 3

• Inherent Powers– Decisive actions taken by strong

presidents that have been inherited by every other president (sets precedents)

– Greatest growth in president’s power– Washington – fired officials, negotiated

with foreign countries, submitted legislation, cabinet

– FDR – president is actively involved in economic affairs

Specific Presidential Powers• Military Powers – Commander in Chief

– US has had over 200 military actions but Congress has declared war 5 times– War Powers Resolution of 1973

• President can send troops anywhere for up to two days before notifying Congress• Troops can stay for 60 days without congressional approval• After congressional approval, the president decides when to withdraw the troops

• Executive Orders– Orders by the president to carry out policies describe in congressional laws– Have the same force as law

• Power of the Pulpit– Using the media to speak directly to the people– Can be on TV whenever he wants – White House Press Corps are reporters who cover the president full time– Press Secretary gives briefings twice a day

Presidential Roles• Chief of State – representative

of the nation for different events - ceremonial– Phone calls to heroes,

welcoming sports teams who won championships to the White House

• Chief Executive – carry out and enforce laws– Appoint federal officials,

prosecute criminals• Commander in Chief – top

general of the armed forces– Dominates military affairs

Presidential Roles continued• Chief Diplomat – directs

foreign policy– Creates treaties and executive

agreements• Chief Legislator – help shapes

the nation’s policies– Proposes legislation, annual

budget, veto, call special sessions of congress

• Political Party Leader – strengthen party– Appoint party members to

offices– Push the party platform– Help party members get elected

Checks on Presidential Power

• Congressional Checks – Override a veto with 2/3 vote in both chambers– Impeachment by House and removal from

office by Senate– Senate approves appointments and treaties– Power of the purse

• Judicial Checks– Declare acts of the president unconstitutional– Even though appointed by the president,

judges are not bound to follow policies of the president

• Political Checks– Media attention effect political opinion

• Public opinion greatly effects the president’s ability to get congresses cooperation for the president’s agenda

– Presidents must not stray from their own political party’s agenda