Top Banner
The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch
15
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Page 1: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

The Distinguished OfficeThe Presidency and the Executive Branch

Page 2: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

Organizing Questions How does the executive branch

carry out the day-to-day operation of the government?

How has the role of the President expanded over time?

Why does the Electoral College system exist?

Which check and balances effect the executive branch?

Page 3: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

The Purpose of the Executive Branch and the PresidencyThe purpose of the President’s office and the executive branch is to execute – or enforce – the laws passed by Congress. Members of the executive branch include the President, the Vice President, the President’s Cabinet, the officers of the President, and all members of the federal bureaucracy. Everyone in this branch reports to the President of the United States.

Theodore Roosevelt looks on in the background as his Attorney General George Cortelyou enforces the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.

Page 4: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

The Roles of the PresidentThe President is more than just a man that executes the law. He or she has other important roles, both practical and symbolic: 1. Chief of State2. Chief Executive3. Chief Diplomat4. Commander-in-Chief5. Chief Legislator 6. Chief EconomistThe President is responsible for making all of this work – whether he has influence over every aspect or not!

Page 5: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

What are the responsibilities of the President?He oversees the

executive branch of the government.

He issues executive orders.

The appointment and removal of officials in the executive branch.

Creating treaties with foreign nations.

Negotiation.Commanding the

United States Military.

Page 6: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

The Electoral College SystemAlthough the Founding Fathers believed that democracy was one aspect of a healthy government, they had very little confidence in the ability of Americans to elect their own leaders – especially men outside of the localities in which they lived. Hence, the Electoral College System was set up to elect the President – not the popular vote.

In several Elections, the winner of the popular voted failed to win the Presidency:

The Election of 1824 (The Corrupt Bargain…)

The Election of 1876(The Compromise of 1876)

The Election of 2000(Gore V. Bush)

Page 7: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

The Electoral College Map

Page 8: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

The Electoral College In the present incarnation of the Electoral College

Map, a Presidential Candidate needs to win 270 votes in order to become POTUS.

Because there are state which traditionally support one party instead of another, candidates tend to focus only on “swing states” – or states which may go either way in a Presidential contest.

California traditionally votes for liberal and Democratic Candidates.

Texas traditionally votes for conservative and Republican Candidates.

Virginia is a classic “Swing State,” although recently Virginia’s have elected more and more Democrats to national office, the state continues to send Republican legislators to Richmond.

Page 9: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

Checks over the Legislative Branch

The President has several powers over the Congress. First, he has the ability to propose laws himself, and since people pay attention to the President, he often influences debate. Secondly, the President has the veto power – meaning he can simply reject bills which are passed by the Congress. Finally, the President can issue executive orders regarding the way laws are enforced – or not. Hence, even though the laws may not change, they are enforced differently depending on who is the POTUS.

Page 10: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

The Federal Bureaucracy

Page 11: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

Bureaucratic AgenciesThe Department of

AgricultureThe Department of

CommerceThe Department of

DefenseThe Department of

EducationThe Department of EnergyThe Department of Health

and Human ServicesThe Department of

Homeland Security

The Department of Housing and Urban Development

The Department of the Interior

The Department of Justice

The Department of LaborThe State DepartmentThe Department of

Transportation The Department of the

TreasuryThe Department of

Veterans Affairs

Page 12: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

Cabinet DepartmentsThe President relies upon members of his Cabinet to give him advice and handle the peculiarities of their department of the government. The Secretary of State may negotiate a treaty; the Secretary of Defense works out the military budget; and the Attorney General determines which anti-trust suits may need to filed. Everyone, though, serves at the pleasure of the President and is accountable to him or her.

Page 13: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

Independent Executive AgenciesThere are a whole group of law enforcement officials who work for the Executive Office, as well. These law enforcement officials are directed into action by the President, and the executive branch determines which aspects of law enforcement will be emphasized by each department.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The Border Patrol

Immigration

The Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Department (ATF)

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)

Page 14: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

Regulatory Agencies The Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Acts were passed in the early 1900s, and created groups like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which inspects both agricultural products and medicines to make certain they are safe for consumers. These agencies enforce laws like the Pure Food and Drug Act or the Clean Air Act, and have the power to shut down dangerous companies who pollute the ecosystems of the nation or otherwise jeopardize the public health. Some President encourage this, others do not.

Page 15: The Distinguished Office The Presidency and the Executive Branch.

The Spoils System is Reformed!

During the 19th Century, government jobs were often given away to anyone who had supported a particular candidate for office. Andrew Jackson’s “Spoils System” was notoriously corrupt. However, after President James Garfield was assassinated by a disgruntled office seeker in 1883, the Congress passed a law called the Pendleton Act. This created the Civil Service Commission. Today, government employees must pass competitive exams in order to be hired over other candidates, and the efficiency of the government is much improved. These jobs pay fairly well and have generous pensions, so they tend to be highly sought after.