1. Chapter 6 The Executive Branch
American Civics
4/1/2017
Chapter 6 The Executive Branch
Section 1: The Presidency
Section 2: Powers and Roles of the President
Section 3: Executive Departments and the Cabinet
Section 4: Independent Agencies and Regulatory Commissions
Chapter 6

2. OBJECTIVES Section 1: The Presidency
Chapter 6
Section 1: The Presidency
OBJECTIVES
What are the qualifications and terms of office for the presidency?
What are the duties and terms of office for the vice president?
What is the order of presidential succession?

3. Qualifications for the presidency:
Chapter 6
Section 1: The Presidency
Qualifications for the presidency:
Native-born U.S. citizen
At least 35 years of age
A resident of the United States for at least 14 years

4. Terms of office: Section 1: The Presidency
Chapter 6
Section 1: The Presidency
Terms of office:
Four-year term and may be elected to a second term
Salary of $400,000 per year plus $50,000 nontaxable allowance

5. Duties and terms of office of the vice president:
Chapter 6
Section 1: The Presidency
Duties and terms of office of the vice president:
Takes over if the president dies, resigns, or is removed from office
Presides over the Senate
Must meet the same constitutional qualifications as the president
Salary of $186,300 per year plus $10,000 taxable allowance

6. The order of presidential succession:
Chapter 6
Section 1: The Presidency
The order of presidential succession:
The vice president
The Speaker of the House
The president pro tempore of the Senate
Members of the president’s cabinet in the order in which their departments were created

7. OBJECTIVES Section 2: Powers and Roles of the President
Chapter 6
Section 2: Powers and Roles of the President
OBJECTIVES
How is the president involved in the legislative process?
How does Congress limit the president’s powers as commander in chief?
What are the president’s duties as foreign-policy leader and as chief of state?

8. The President and the Legislative Process
Chapter 6
Section 2: Powers and Roles of the President
The President and the Legislative Process
Recommends laws to Congress in speeches, writing, or through State of the Union Address
Sends Congress an economic message
Influences legislation with veto power

9. Congress and the Commander in Chief
Chapter 6
Section 2: Powers and Roles of the President
Congress and the Commander in Chief
Only Congress can declare war.
The president has the power to send troops into foreign lands.
1973—War Powers Act: requires troops to be recalled within 60 days unless approved by Congress to stay longer

10. President’s duties as foreign-policy leader and chief of state:
Chapter 6
Section 2: Powers and Roles of the President
President’s duties as foreign-policy leader and chief of state:
Appoints officials to represent the United States abroad
Travels to foreign nations to meet with leaders and representatives of other countries
Serves as the nation’s chief diplomat and assumes final responsibility for treaties
Symbolizes the United States and its people
Performs ceremonial duties

11. OBJECTIVES Section 3: Executive Departments and the Cabinet
Chapter 6
Section 3: Executive Departments and the Cabinet
OBJECTIVES
What is the Executive Office of the President, and what is its purpose?
How are the heads of the executive departments and the members of the cabinet related?
What are the 14 executive departments?

12. The Executive Office of the President
Chapter 6
Section 3: Executive Departments and the Cabinet
The Executive Office of the President
Established in 1939 and reorganized by each president
Contains agencies and offices that advise the president on current issues
The White House Office keeps presidential schedule, writes speeches, and maintains relations with Congress, the press, and the public.

13. The 14 executive departments work to improve life for all Americans.
Chapter 6
Section 3: Executive Departments and the Cabinet
The 14 executive departments work to improve life for all Americans.
Department of State
Department of Justice
Department of Treasury
Department Transportation
Department of Labor
Department of Energy
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of the Interior
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Education
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of Agriculture

14. Chapter 6
Section 4: Independent Agencies and Regulatory Commissions
OBJECTIVES
What are independent agencies, and why are they separate from the executive departments?
What is the purpose of regulatory commissions, and who runs them?
What is the federal bureaucracy?

15. Chapter 6
Section 4: Independent Agencies and Regulatory Commissions
Independent Agencies
Perform specialized duties that do not fit into regular departments
Some serve all of the departments and some assist the work of the entire government.
Examples:
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
Farm Credit Administration
Small Business Administration
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

16. Regulatory Commissions
Chapter 6
Section 4: Independent Agencies and Regulatory Commissions
Regulatory Commissions
Independent agencies make rules and bring violators to court.
Commission heads are appointed by the president and approved by Congress to serve long terms.
Commissions are independent in order to freely do their jobs.

17. Regulatory Commissions (continued)
Chapter 6
Section 4: Independent Agencies and Regulatory Commissions
Regulatory Commissions (continued)
Examples:
Federal Election Commission
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Securities and Exchange Commission
National Labor Relations Board

18. The Federal Bureaucracy
Chapter 6
Section 4: Independent Agencies and Regulatory Commissions
The Federal Bureaucracy
Formed by the departments and agencies of the executive branch
Almost 3 million workers
Operates under heavy rules and regulations that create “red tape” but allow the executive branch to function