1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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).

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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)

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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.