Executive Branch
Art. II
-Sets out structure and functions of Executive Branch
-made up of President, VP, & the 2 million people
(bureaucrats) they command
Basic Duty
-Enforce laws, treaties and court decisions
Requirements
-Age: 35
-Citizenship: Naturally Born in U.S.
-Resident: 14 Yrs.
-Term: 4 Yrs. (2X) may serve 10 yrs.
POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT
Chief Executive
-ensures government programs are carried out
and laws from Congress implemented
Chief Administrator
-administrator over 15 Executive departments
& Federal Agencies
-1.8 million people work for executive
department
Commander in Chief
-has the authority to order troops into action
or bring them home (90 days w/o approval
of Congress)
Foreign Policy Leader
-formulates plans to deal with other countries
-Secretary of State Clinton carries out plan
Famous foreign policies -“Speak softly and carry a big stick”
Teddy Roosevelt
-“Preemption rather than reaction”
G.W. Bush
Chief Agenda Setter
How?
-Sets the government’s agenda
-prepares a yearly federal budget
-gives State of the Union Address
Chief of State
-Represents the United States
-Receives foreign dignitaries (state dinners)
Executive Powers (E.P.)
E.P.
Article II
Section 3
Executive
Privilege
-Pres. directly appoints 3000 positions
-1/3 have to confirmed by Senate
-can remove most at any time
-Pres. can issue Executive Orders
-instruct & guide Exec. Officials
-have the force as a law (side step Congress)
-refuse to release information to Congress or
a court
Diplomatic &
Military Powers
-Foreign Policy Leader
*can negotiate treaties-must be approved
by Senate
-Diplomatic Recognition
*formally recognizing legitimacy of a
foreign government
-Commander in Chief
*initiate military action
*Only Congress can declare war
*War Powers Resolution (1973)-President
must consult Congress (avoid another
Vietnam)
Legislative &
Judicial Powers
-Leg. Powers
*Pres. can suggest legislation anytime
*Pres. can veto bill (Congress can
override with 2/3 vote in both houses)
-Jud. Powers
*nominates fed. judges & justices
*Reprieves: postpone jail time
*Pardons: release a convicted criminal
*amnesty: grants group of offenders a
pardon (Carter: draft dodgers)
*commute: reduce sentence
Informal Powers
*access to media
Checks on Power
*(JB) Judicial Review, (LB)block
nominations & veto overrides
The Electoral College Selects the President
2 Reasons for E.C. 1) Wanted enlightened people picking the president
(didn’t trust the people)
2) Gave extra power to small states
How many people
make up the electoral
college?
Why this number?
538
Members in the House
Members in the Senate
District of Columbia
435
100
3
538
“Winner takes all”
-candidate that wins a state’s popular vote get all
the state’s electoral votes
-48 States follow this rule (Maine & Nebraska)
Disadvantage
-A candidate can win the popular vote and lose
the election
How are key states decided?
California 55
Pennsylvania 21
Texas 34
New York 31
Florida 27
Illinois 21
Ohio
Georgia 15
North Carolina 15
20
New Jersey 15
Michigan 17
A candidate can win the election by only winning 11 states