1. EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT….. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

2. “faithfully execute the laws of the United States.”
The Executive Branch
REQUIREMENTS
1. Must be at least 35 years of age
2. Must be a natural born citizen (to foreign influence)
3. Must have lived in the U.S. for 14 years
Article II
“faithfully execute the laws of the United States.”
Created office of the President & Vice President
*****Although not specifically states, the requirements for the Vice President are the same as the requirements for the President

3. The Executive Branch- The President The Main Roles of the Modern President Are presidents unable to govern effectively because public expectations are too high?
1. The President= Chief of State
2. The President= Chief Executive
3. The President= Commander-In-Chief
4. The President= Chief Diplomat
5. The President= Chief Legislator
6. The President= Party Leader
7. The President= Popular Leader

4. The Executive Branch POWERS- Commander in Chief
Importance: Civilian leader of the military
Prevents military dictatorship within history
This does not mean the president declares war
*WAR POWERS ACT
Presidents who have used this power- Lincoln, Roosevelt, Truman, Johnson, Nixon

5. The Executive Branch POWERS- Pardons & Reprieves
Importance: Check on the Judicial branch If Judiciary unfairly punishes criminal, President can fix abuse
PARDON= Official forgiveness of crimes committed
REPRIEVE= Cutting short a sentence
Famous pardons: Eugene Debs (Harding); FORD PARDONS NIXON
Some are controversial because they are done at end of administration
Pardons & Reprieves are final, but if done with illegal intentions, President is subject to penalty (Clinton)

6. Top 5 Presidents w/ Pardons-Rep

7. The Executive Branch POWERS-Veto Power
Importance: Check on Legislative Branch President becomes involved in the creation of legislation with this threat
Power of veto demonstrates power of the office or lack thereof (if overridden)
Total Vetoes-2550
Total Overrides-106
Percentage of vetoes overridden- 4% Line Item Veto???

8. The Executive Branch POWERS- Treaty making
Importance: Allows President to be major player within foreign policy arena
This power is shared with Senate, who must ratify the treaty by 2/3 majority
Famous Treaties: Treaty of Versailles (not passed), NAFTA, creation of NATO
Total # of treaties rejected by Senate- 21

9. The Executive Branch POWERS- Appointments
Importance: Check on judiciary and important in creation and executing policy
Very rarely is President’s choice declined
Simple majority vote needed
Famous appoint battles: -John Ashcroft -Clarence Thomas -Robert Bork
27 Supreme Court nominees have been rejected (151)
9 presidential cabinet appointees have been rejected
Recess Appointments????

10. The Executive Branch POWERS- State of the Union
Importance: Public persuasion
Allows President to announce policy goals and direction of country
Does not have to be done in person From Jefferson to T. Roosevelt, done by letter; Wilson begins making it in person

11. The Executive Branch POWERS- Sessions of Congress
Checks on the Legislative Branch
President may call special sessions of Congress for important matters
President may tell Congress to go home
Prorogue – Never been used in history
of nation

12. The Executive Branch INFORMAL POWERS Executive Orders/Agreements
Not a formal power
Exec. Order: acts with the power of a law
Exec. Agreement: acts with the power of a treaty
Differences: 1)these do not go through Senate and 2) does not have to be followed by next President
Can be ruled unconstitutional by courts

13. The Executive Branch The President- The Bully Pulpit
“The job of the president is not one of command but one of persuasion.”
“The job of the president is to persuade people “to do the things they ought to have the sense enough to do without my persuading them.”- Harry Truman
3 major audiences- DC politicians, Party politicians, General public
Goal: Turn public support into influence

14. Executive Privilege Refers to the assertion made by the President
or other executive branch officials when they refuse to
give Congress, the courts, or private parties
information or records which have been requested or
subpoenaed, or when they order government
witnesses not to testify before Congress.
The assertion is based on the constitutional doctrine
of separation of powers, is always controversial,
subject to interpretation, and often
U.S. v Nixon- Famous case dealing with Executive Privilege

15. Executive Branch Checks and Balances
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
Can veto laws
Can call special sessions of Congress
Negotiates Treaties
Executive Privilege
Appoints Judges
Can pardon and reprieve criminals

16. The Executive Branch Amendments Dealing w/ President
Amendment 12: Electoral college shall have separate votes for President and Vice President
Amendment 20: Inauguration Day: Jan. 20, if President elect dies before taking office, Vice President elect shall become new president

17. The Executive Branch Amendments Dealing w/ President
Amendment 22: Known as the FDR amendment, no president shall serve more then 2 terms or 10 years in office
Amendment 25: Known as the JFK amendment,
1) when vacancy opens in Vice President office, President may appoint new one w/ consent from both houses,
2) President may temp give up position by written letter to SOTH & Pres. Pro Temp (must write new letter to resume power)
3) Vice President and majority of cabinet can write letter to remove President. If President objects, it take 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress to remove him from office.

18. The Executive Branch The President & Fundraising General Fundraising Rules
How much can A) individuals give political candidates per election B) PACs give political candidates?
How much can an individual give a political party in donations?
Can Presidential candidates receive government money for campaign spending? Are there any limitations? What are the requirements to get money?
Are there disclosure rules when donating money?

19. The Executive Branch The President & Fundraising General Fundraising Rules
What is the outcome of the following court cases dealing with campaign finance?
Buckley v. Valeo (1973)
Austin v. Michigan State Chamber of Commerce (1990) 
McConnell v. FEC (2003)
Randall v. Sorrell (2006)
Federal Elections Commission v. Wisconsin Right to Life (2007) 
Davis v. FEC (2008)
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

20. Executive Office of the President
The Executive Office of the President is made up of White House offices and agencies. These offices help develop and implement the policy and programs of the president.
National Security Council (NSC), Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Senior staff within the Executive Office of the President include Chief of staff, Advisors, speech writers, legal counselors.
Many of these positions do not need Senate approval.

21. The Executive Branch Other Interesting Facts & Info
Compensation Salary: $400,000 (upgraded from $200,000) Free Housing (The White House) Free Transportation (Air Force One + Limo service) Fringe Benefits: Free Health Care, Secret Service Pension: $183,500/year for life, Spouse: $20,000/year
Secret Service protection for life if chooses

23. Essential Questions What are the qualifications for P & VP?
What are the roles of President?
What are the formal powers of the President?
What are the informal powers of the President?
How does the President check the other two branches?
How do Amendment 12, 20, 22, and 25 deal with the president?
Who makes up the EOP and what make them different from other high ranking members of the executive branch