Objective 4.1 Describe the structure of the Executive Branch KQ- How is the executive branch organized and what are the requirements to be President?

The Executive Branch The Executive Branch of the federal government is described in Article II of the Constitution Explains the main role of the EB Explains requirements to be President Explains how President is elected

The Executive Branch The main job of the Executive Branch is to enforce laws passed by Congress Congress passes a law on to the President President gives orders to other members within the EB Members of EB make sure law is followed, go after those that break laws

Basic Organization of the Executive Branch President Vice President Cabinet Agencies

The President is in charge of the executive BUREAUCRACY -organization of departments, agencies responsible for carrying out the orders of the leader

Vice President Second in command to the President President’s partner in carrying out EB duties Takes over as President if…

The Cabinet 15 cabinet departments Each responsible for different aspect of government Top advisors to the President

President Sec. of Defense Dept. of Army, Navy etc. Troops on the ground

Agencies 60+ independent agencies responsible for specific gov’t tasks (ex- CDC- Center for disease Control and prevention, researches disease and informs doctors, hospitals and citizens about the diseases and prevention measures)

To be President a person must be at least 35 years old Qualification: AGE To be President a person must be at least 35 years old

Qualification: RESIDENCY To be President a person must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years

Qualification: CITIZENSHIP To be President a person must be a native-born citizen (not naturalized)

Elected By: Electoral College A candidate must win a majority of electoral votes Needs 270 of 538 electoral votes to win presidency Not elected by popular vote

maximum terms To be President a person must not serve more than 10 years (1/2 term succession + 2 elected terms)

maximum terms 22nd Amendment in 1951 established a limit of 2 terms (FDR served 3 terms and was elected to a 4th)

Annual Salary: $400,000

Benefits: $50,000 non-taxable expense allowance Free lodging Use of Camp David (mountain estate in Maryland) Use of cars, helicopters, planes (Air Force One) $100,000 travel allowance Secret Service Protection Finest Medical Care

Negative Benefits: Stressful (lots of responsibilities) Too much time away from family Dangerous Lack of Privacy

Constitutional Powers: Chief Executive- Runs the Executive Branch, responsible for enforcing laws Approve and Veto bills passed by Congress Give “State of the Union speech” each year Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

Constitutional Powers: Makes government appointments- cabinet members, federal judges, US Ambassadors Conduct U.S. foreign relations & makes treaties with other nations Grant pardons and reprieves Creates the annual budget= Spending plan for the government, Congress must approve

Order of Succession: Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury

Order of Succession: The order of succession is a result of the Presidential Succession Act which was passed in 1947. Until 1964 the office of Vice President remained empty.

Order of Succession: In 1967 the 25th Amendment was passed. This amendment gave the new president the power to choose the Vice President with the approval of the majority of both houses.

Order of Succession: In 1973, Gerald Ford replaced Vice President Spiro Agnew. In 1974, President Richard Nixon resigned and Vice President Gerald Ford became President. He picked Nelson A. Rockefeller as his Vice President.