The President and the Executive Branch Learning Objectives Identify the six major ways the President leads the country Explain the roles and duties of the Vice President Explain the roles and duties of the special councils Explain the role and duties of the Cabinet

Words to Know term – the length of time a person holds a government office Budget – a plan for spending money Ceremonial – done in a formal way for a special or important occasion Diplomat – a government official who works with governments of other countries Foreign policy – the course of action a country takes in relation to another country

Words to Know (cont.) 6. Treaty – an agreement between nations 7. Ambassador – a representative of a government sent to a foreign country 8. Cabinet – the heads of the executive departments of the federal government 9. Resign – to give up a position 10. Council – a group of people who meet regularly to advise the President 11. Environment – the air, water, and land that surround us

The President of the United States The President is heard on radio and TV almost every day President may be the most powerful person in the world He has the hardest job there is

Laws and Facts About the Presidency President must be born in the United States Be over the age of 35 Have lived in the United States for at least 14 years The Presidents term of office is for 4 years He can only serve for 2 terms

He gets $200,000 salary and $119,000 for expenses President lives and works at the White House in Washington DC He has access to cars, planes, boats, and helicopters. President can also use Camp David for vacation retreat and meetings

The Jobs of the President President is the head of the executive branch of the federal government The President leads the country in at least six important ways

Chief Executive Constitution gives the President power to carry out the laws. He sends ideas for law to Congress He must decide how to spend government money. Makes the budget The boss of more than 3 million government workers

Chief of State Meets with visitors from other countries Gives speeches on important holidays Represents the United States to the other countries of the world

Chief Diplomat Responsible for setting the foreign policy Decides what treaties to make with other nations President appoints ambassadors to represent the United States in other countries He tries to keep peace with other countries around the world

Commander in Chief The President is the leader of the 2 million members of the armed forces He is not a member of the armed forces The leaders of the army, navy, air force, and marines answer to him. He can send the armed forces anywhere in the world he wants.

Chief Law Maker President has veto power He often proposes laws to Congress President has to give a speech to Congress each year. It is called the State of the Union Address

Party Chief The leader of his political party Usually has held lower political office He helps other people in his party get elected He must put best interest of the country first.

The Presidents Team The President has many people who help get facts and gives him advice The President’s team includes a. Vice President b. White House Office c. the special councils d. The Cabinet (heads of 14 executive departments).

The Vice President The Vice President is chosen by the President to run for office with him Has far less power than President The Constitution gives him the job of running the Senate He will become President if the President dies, seriously ill, or leaves office. President decides how much the Vice President will do.

Executive Office of the President The Presidents top assistants work in the Executive Office of the President It is made up of several offices and councils staffed by some of the President’s closest advisors

The White House Office This is the nerve center of the Executive Office President’s Chief-of-staff directs the operations of this office The White House office advises the President daily about foreign policy, money matters, defense, and relations with Congress.

Some people write the President’s speeches Plan trips for President The Press Secretary is also part of the White House staff. They give all the White House news to the newspapers, TV, and radio reporters.

Special Councils President gets help from a number of special councils within the Executive Office One of the most important ones is the NSC (National Security Council)

Special Councils (cont.) Makes plans for the safety and security of the country Advises President about foreign policies Other special councils a. OMB (office of Management and Business) b. Council of Economic Advisors c. Council on Environmental Quaility

The Cabinet They are responsible for all that goes on in their special departments Cabinet members are called secretaries except the Attorney General President picks each member but has to be approved by the Senate Cabinet meetings are held once or twice a week

The President and the People The President must know what the people want from their government. He listens to the white house staff. He hears what his Cabinet members have to say. He reads what newspapers say about him.

The President and the People (cont.) He listens to what television news reports say about him. Reads letters sent to White House. Studies reports on what people are for or against. Travels all over country talking to voters.