Executive Branch
Feb 25, 2016
Executive Branch
Major RolesStandard 13: Describe the organization of the executive branch, and explain the functions of its various offices (e.g., president, vice president, National Security Council, and advisory and general staff)
LT 13.1President and the Cabinet
I can determine importance in the major executive departments that comprise the cabinet, and describe both the individual roles of the department and the cabinet’s role as an advisory body to the president
Executes law and decisions made by Congress
Appoints Cabinet members, Federal Judges, and Department Heads
Commander and Chief of the Military
Can not make laws but can issue Executive Orders
Current: Barack Obama
The President
Ready to take over Presidency should the need arise
President of the Senate (tie breaking vote)
Elected on same ballot with President◦ 12th Amendment
Role varies based on assignments of Pres
Current: Joe Biden
Vice President
Cabinet Advisors to President15 Department heads
Appointed by President, confirmed by CongressCalled “Secretary
Secretary of State Secretary of Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and
Human Services
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Secretary of Homeland
Security
Current Cabinet
Create a biography book for one cabinet office. Your book should include the following:
Cover – name of cabinet and your name Page 1 – General info who currently holds the
office and years the person has held the cabinet Page 2 – Responsibilities of the Cabinet (at least
5). What is the person in charge of? Page 3 – Historical info. When was the Cabinet
created and by whom? Page 4 – Paragraph (3-5 sentences) describing
why is the cabinet important. Label each tab
Cabinet Biography Book
Road through Presidency
Standard 14: I can describe the constitutional qualifications required for serving as president and the election process.
LT 14.1 Constitutional Guidelines
I can determine the importance of the constitutional guidelines for presidents.
35 Years Old Natural Born
Citizen Lived in U.S. for
14 Years Same for Pres and
VP
Constitutional Qualifications
4 year terms Limited to 2 terms
◦ 22nd Amendment◦ FDR only president to serve more
Terms
Perks
President Vice President
Lives in Whitehouse Salary: $400,000 Allowances:$50,000 Travel:
◦ Air Force One◦ Marine One◦ Armored Limo
Lives in Naval Observatory
Salary: $230,700 Travel:
◦ Air Force Two◦ Marine Two◦ Armored Limo
Retirement: $200K/yr for life
Allowances for office and travel
Secret Service protect for life
Life After Presidency
14 VPs have become President
6 returned to Senate Public Service Retirement pension Example: Al Gore
Life after Vice Presidency
Write a paragraph explaining the importance of the 22nd Amendment.
Notebook Item 19 – Presidential Terms
LT 14.2 Presidential Elections
I can question the relevance of the electoral college in modern American society.
Two Party System Helps candidates
gain support 3rd Parties exist but
rarely win elections
Political Parties
Primary Election: an election to select the Presidential nominee for a specific party
Caucus: a convention to select a Presidential nominee for a specific party
Occurs state by state
Nominating Candidates
Large Conference held by each political party to officially nominate a Presidential candidate
Example: Democratic National Convention to nominate Barak Obama as 2012 candidate
National Convention
Running Mate: the presidential candidate’s choice for Vice President
Polls: surveys taken to try to predict how people will vote and why
Presidential Campaigns
Electoral College Popular vote: the # of
individual Americans who voted for a particular candidate
Electoral Vote: the number of electors won by a particular candidate
Electors: representatives pledged to a particular candidate
Electoral College
Popular voting takes place state by state
Candidate winning majority popular vote in a state gets all electors for that state
270 Electoral votes = win
Electoral College Process
Not all people represented equally Electors not required to vote according to popular vote Candidate with the most votes will not necessarily win Outdated system
Problems with Electoral College
Ceremony Jan 20 (or 21st)
Presidential Oath Inaugural Address:
Speech made by President
Inauguration
Electoral College Short Essay The founding fathers established the
electoral college as a way to indirectly elect the President. Should America keep the electoral college or should Presidents be elected by popular vote? Support your opinion with at least 2 reasons.
¾ Page in length
Turn in when complete.
Standard 15: Constitutional Powers
I can describe the constitutionally defined powers of the executive branch.
LT 15.1I can determine the important presidential powers defined in Article II of the Constitution.
Commander and Chief Call in the National
Guard Make treaties (requires
Senate approval) Appoint Ambassadors Receive Ambassadors
Military Powers
Appoint Cabinet Advisors
Appoint Supreme Court Justices
Fill vacancies in Congress
Appointments must be “confirmed” by the Senate
Appointments
Federal Pardons State of the Union
Address Veto congressional
legislation
Other Powers
Emergency laws issued by President◦ Same effect as laws◦ Can be overturned by
Supreme Court◦ Effective for limited time
Article II “take care that laws are faithfully executed”
Ex: Emancipation Proclamation
Executive Orders
How does the President check Congress? How does Congress check the President? How does the President check Supreme
Court? How does the Supreme Court check the
President?
Checks and Balances
Watch the video clip and record each time one of the Presidential Candidates claims he will do something that he does not have direct power to do.
Example: Paul Ryan says that the Romney/Ryan stance on abortion is that it should not be legal except in the case of rape or incest; the president can not make or change abortion laws.
What can the President really do?