Executive Branch Flashcards
What article of the constitution is the executive branch written
the second
major function of executive branch
To enforce the law
Roles of the president: (8)
- Chief of State
- Chief Executive
- Chief administrator
- Chief diplomat
- Commander in chief
- Chief Legislator
- Chief of Party
- Chief citizen
Chief of state:
ceremonial head of the government & symbol of the American people
Chief executive:
power to enforce the law (most powerful position in the world)
Chief administrator
CEO of the federal government (employs about 4 million people)
Chief diplomat
architect of foreign policy (relationship with other countries)
Commander in Chief
head of the US armed forces (1.4 million)
Chief Legislator
architect of public policy (ideas for laws)
Chief of party
leader of their political party
Chief Citizen
the representative of all the people of the USA
7 powers of the President:
- Appointment Power: (Cabinet, Federal judges, etc.) – about 4,000 positions
- Power to convene Congress: (State of the Union Address – special session)
- Power to make treaties: (agreement between two or more countries)
- Executive Orders: (a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law) – like a law within the executive branch
- Veto power: (reject legislation/reject laws)
- Commander in Chief Power: (head of the Armed forces)
- Pardoning Power: (grant releases to criminals)
Formal qualifications:
Be a “natural born citizen”
Be at least 35 yrs old
Have lived in the USA for at least 14 years
Oval Office
place where the President does their work! West wing of the White house
Presidential Salary:
400,000
Presidential Fringe Benefits (9)
- $50,000 per year expense account
- white house – 4 main floors, 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 3 kitchens, 55 thousand square feet
- Camp David - summer home
- Air Force One – (2) – over 4,000 sq. ft home!
- Cadillac One - The Beast
- Marine One – Helicopters
- Free health care
- Pension ($200,000)
- Lifetime secret service protection
Cadillac 1 nickname
The Beast
The 25th amendment deals with
Presidential Succession and Disability
What is Presidential Succession
Becomes President in the event of death, disability, or resignation
First 5 levels of Presidential Succession
- Vice President
- Speaker of the House
- President Pro-tempore of - the Senate
- Secretary of State
- Secretary of Treasury
Disability: (2 reasons)
Vice President will become acting president if:
- The President informs Congress, in writing, that he/she is unable to perform their duties
- The vice president and the majority of the cabinet inform congress, in writing, that the president is unable to perform duties
Impeachment
The charge of high crimes and misdemeanors covers allegations of misconduct by officials
2 formal duties of VP:
- Preside over the Senate
- Help decide disability of president
What the VP does in the Senate: (2)
- Can’t debate
- Only vote to break a tie
Who chooses VP and how?
- Chosen by presidential candidate
- Chosen to “balance the ticket”
Today’s unofficial roles:
- Spokesperson for the president!
- Represent president at important events/ceremonies
Formal Qualifications for VP
Same as president
Why is VP and President qualifications the same?
VP could be the president at any time