Civics The Executive Branch & The President

The President’s Job Description Chief of State −Ceremonial head of government −Symbol of all Americans

The President’s Job Description Chief Executive −Broad power in foreign and domestic affairs −“Most powerful office in the world”

The President’s Job Description Chief Administrator −Directs the Executive Branch bureaucracy −2.7+ million employees

The President’s Job Description Chief Diplomat −Main architect of American foreign policy −Most visible spokesperson to the rest of the world

The President’s Job Description Commander in Chief −All branches of the military are under his immediate control

The President’s Job Description Chief Legislator −Main architect of public policy −Sets the overall shape of the Congressional agenda

The President’s Job Description Chief of Party −Acknowledged leader of his political party

The President’s Job Description Chief Citizen −“Representative of all people” −Looks out for the interest of the people

Presidential Qualifications Age – 35+ years Citizenship – “Natural Born” citizen Residency – 14 years Presidential Term of Office Four year terms Before 1951 – No official limit on terms −Washington set the precedent for only two terms Franklin Roosevelt serves part of four terms 22 nd Amendment limits to two terms or 10 years

Pay and Benefits Congress determines the President’s salary Originally $25,000/year Currently $400,000/year Plus $50,000/year expense account Other benefits −Live in the White House (6 story, 18.3 acre estate) −Automobile fleet −Air Force One, Marine One −Camp David −Unlimited health care for life −Secret Service protection for life

Presidential Succession Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veteran Affairs Secretary of Homeland Security

General Presidential Powers Imperial Presidency −Growth of the nation (1900s) Executive Powers −Power to execute federal laws −Control of the armed forces Ordinance Power −Power to issue executive orders −Executive Order – Directive, rule or regulate that has the effect of law E.O −Internment of Japanese Americans

Appointment Power −Ambassadors and diplomats −Cabinet members and top aides −Heads of executive agencies −Federal judges, U.S. Marshals and federal attorneys −All officers of the armed forces Removal Power −Undo appointments Paul O’Neil, Sec. Of Treasury, 2008 NOT federal judges

National Security and Intelligence Team

Diplomatic Powers Make treaties −Usually acting through the Secretary of State −Senate must approve −Same legal standing as laws −Congress may repeal by passing a law undoing the treaty Make executive agreements −Pact between President and the head of another country −Does not need Senate approval Power of Recognition −Acknowledging the legal existence of a country and its government

Military Powers Commander in Chief −Making undeclared war −War Powers Resolution

Legislative Powers Recommending Legislation Veto Power −Overturned with 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress −Pocket veto Only at the end of a Congressional Session −Line-item veto Call Congress into special session Can adjourn Congress −Has never happened

Judicial Powers Reprieve – postpone execution sentence Pardon – legal forgiveness Clemency – mercy or leniency Commutation – reduce a sentence Amnesty – blanket pardon −Jimmy Carter to Vietnam protesters