1. The President and the Executive Branch Chapter 7

2. The President and the Vice President Qualifications for President 1) 35 years old 2) Native-born “American” citizen 3) Resident US for at least 14 years Presidential Trends All but one have been Protestant Christian Most have college degrees Many were lawyers, most came from states with large populations Past 50 years office has been open to wider groups of people (women, non-Protestant, African Americans)

3. The President and the Vice President Electing a President Presidential elections every 4 years, Constitution does not provide for direct elections System based on the electoral college Each state appoints electors, who then vote for one of the major candidates When you vote for president, not voting for president, but elector who pledges to vote for the candidate Electoral votes total of its U.S. Senators and Reps. (AR 6, CA 55) Candidates need 270 of 538 electoral votes to win the presidency

4. The President and the Vice President Term of Office Until 1951 no limits on how many terms President could serve 22nd Amendment (1951) limits president to 2 terms or maximum 10 yrs if began during another President’s term Term lasts 4 years Salary $400,000 a year plus travel expenses, lives and works in the White House Staff of 80 takes care of the President, family Camp David in Maryland serves as a retreat The President has many methods of paid travel

5. The President and the Vice President Vice President Qualifications are the same as the President Vice Presidents rarely in the public eye, purpose head of Senate, be prepared to take over if something happens to the President 9 Vice Presidents have taken over in U.S. History John Adams: “I am Vice President. In this I am nothing, but I may become everything.”

6. The President and the Vice President Presidential Succession 8 Presidents have died during office, the Constitution states vice president will take on the “powers and duties” of the presidency 1947, Congress passed the Presidential Succession Act, line of succession after the vice president 1)President 2)Vice President 3)Speaker of the House 4)President Pro Tem 5)Secretary of State 6)Order Cabinet post created

7. The President and the Vice President 25th Amendment (1967) President leaves or dies, the vice president becomes president, chooses another VP Gives VP a role in determining whether a president is disabled or unable to do the job Only been used three times VP Spiro Agnew resigned in 1973 and Pres. Nixon replaced by Gerald Ford who replaced Nixon as president in 1974 1985 Ronald Reagan needed surgery, told Congress he couldn’t lead, VP George H.W. Bush assumed the presidency for about 8 hours

8. The President's Job Constitutional Powers Executive Power –described in Article II Main job is to carry out the laws passed by Congress Other powers/ duties: 1. Veto bills passed by Congress 2. Call Congress into special session 3. Commander in chief 4. Receive leaders, officials of foreign countries 5. Make treaties 6. Appoint heads of executive agencies, federal court judges, ambassadors, and other gov’t officials 7. Pardon people convicted of federal crimes 8. State of the Union address every year discusses the most important issues facing nation

9. The President's Job Roles of the President Chief Executive In charge of 15 cabinet departments and 3 million workers of the federal government Gives executive orders (rule or command that has the force of law), executive orders deal with big issues (integration of the armed forces in 1948) Appoints judges to the Supreme and federal courts, pending Congressional approval Power to pardon, reprieve, or give amnesty

10. The President's Job Chief Diplomat- directs foreign policy toward other countries, decides how the U.S. will act Commander in chief of all armed forces President and Congress share power to declare war, Congress has only declared war 5 times, president has sent troops into action overseas more than 150 times 1973 - War Powers Resolution -president must notify Congress within 48 hours when troops sent to battle, must be brought home after 60 days unless Congress gives approval for them to remain longer

11. The President's Job Legislative Leader Influences Congress with legislation that he would like to see passed Makes speeches to build support for his program and campaigns to get his ideas supported by Congress Head of State- President is living symbol of the nation Economic Leader- President plans the federal government’s budget Party Leader- gives support to fellow party members by giving speeches, help them in campaigns, raising money

12. Making Foreign Policy A nation’s overall plan for dealing with other nations is foreign policy Goals of foreign policy 1. National security (keep country safe from attack) 2. International trade 3. Promoting world peace 4. Promote democracy, preserve basic human rights, encourage peaceful governments o Works with the State Department, Defense Department, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Council Give the president advice on foreign relations “ The State Department wants to solve everything with words and the generals with guns”-President Lyndon Johnson

13. Making Foreign Policy Tools of Foreign Policy Creating Treaties and Executive Agreements The Senate must approve treaties by a 2/3 vote President can go around the Senate by issuing an executive agreement Appointing Ambassadors : the president appoints ambassadors (representatives to countries that the U.S. recognizes) Foreign Aid : assists other countries in times of crisis by providing support International Trade : makes agreements with other nations about what products traded and the rules for trading; issues trade sanctions or embargos on countries Military Force : send troops to foreign countries even if Congress has not declared war

14. Presidential Advisers and Executive Agencies Executive Office of the President Created 1939 by FDR White House Office 500 people work directly for the President Most powerful the chief of staff, assistant for domestic affairs, lawyer to the president, press secretary White House Office screens the flow of information and people trying to reach the President They decide who gets to speak to the President

15. Presidential Advisers and Executive Agencies Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Prepares federal budget, monitors spending by hundreds of government agencies National Security Council (NSC) Helps the President coordinate military, foreign policy Members include the vice president, secretary of state, secretary of defense, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff group of the top commander of each of the armed forces The NSC supervises the CIA which gathers information about gov’ts of other countries

16. Presidential Advisers and Executive Agencies Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) President names members, Senate approves them Give president advice about economic matters (employment, tax policy, inflation, and foreign trade)

17. Presidential Advisers and Executive Agencies Cabinet – group of presidential advisers, not specified in Constitution, head of 15 top level executive departments Developed over time through custom and usage Make important policy decisions Meet when president finds necessary Heads of departments must be approved by senate

19. Cabinet Positions Department of State Plans and carries out the nations’ foreign polices Department of the Treasury Collects, borrows, spends, and prints money Department of Defense Manages the armed forces Department of Justice Responsible for all aspects of law enforcement Department of the Interior Manages and protects the nation’s public lands and natural resources Department of Agriculture Assists farmers and consumers of farm products Department of Commerce Supervises trade, promotes U.S. tourism and business Department of Labor Concerned with the working conditions and wages of U.S. workers

20. Cabinet Positions Department of Health and Human Services Works for the health and well-being of all Americans Department of Housing and Urban Development Deals with the special needs and problems of cities Department of Transportation Manages the nation’s highways, railroads, airlines, and sea traffic Department of Energy Directs the energy plan for the U.S. Department of Education Provides advice and funding for schools Department of Veterans Affairs Directs services for veterans Department of Homeland Security Established in 2002 in response to 9/11, oversees America’s defense against terrorist attacks

21. Presidential Advisers and Executive Agencies Vice President and the First Lady Vice presidents usually have little power Changed recently First Lady- wife of president Not mentioned in Constitution, take on causes close to them

22. Presidential Advisers and Executive Agencies Federal Bureaucracy – agencies and employees of executive branch Bureaucrats/civil servants – people who work for federal gov’t Executive branch carries programs created by Congress 1. Turn new laws into action 2. Administer the day- to-day operations of the federal govt 3. Federal agencies regulate various activities

23. Presidential Advisers and Executive Agencies Executive Agencies Independent agencies responsible for certain specialized areas NASA Government Corporations 50 independent agencies that act like private businesses Senate approves president’s choice of a board to run corp. Charge fees for services, but not supposed to make a profit Example – USPS (Post Office) Regulatory Boards & Commissions President appoints members, approved by Senate To protect the public Make & enforce rules FCC – Federal Communications Commission

24. Presidential Advisers and Executive Agencies  Gov’t Workers  Political appointees – chosen by president, proven executive ability or important supporters of the president’s election campaign  Civil service workers – approx. 90% of all national govt workers, based on experience.  Civil service system – the practice of hiring workers on the basis of open, competitive examinations & merit.  Spoils system – before 1883 – jobs went to people as a reward for political support (reformed under Pendleton Act)  Merit system – civil service system, workers have to meet standards, pass tests