Chapter 9: The Executive Branch

Section 1 – The Roles of the President

President of the United States

President is the highest elected official › What does the President do?

Heads the executive branch –

Most important duty:

Creating the Office of President

Framers were scared› Terms of office

Limit on the President’s power

This came into effect on February 27, 1951:

Creating the Office of President

Limited Power› Separation of powers

› System of checks and balances Congress

Congress

Supreme Court

Creating the Office of President

Qualifications and Salary› President must be –

› Salary is set by Congress (it is about $400,00)

A Leader with Many Roles George Washington was the role model for this

office. Throughout the years the roles has been more clearly defined.

Chief Executive› Head of the executive branch

“take care that the laws be faithfully executed”

Gives executive orders –

Congress must confirm the top appointments

A Leader with Many Roles

Commander in Chief› “The President shall be commander in

chief of the army and the navy of the United States” Leader of armed forces

War Powers Resolution –

A Leader with Many Roles Chief Diplomat

› Representative of the United States when it comes to relations with foreign nations Leads foreign policy –

Make treaties and formal agreements

Appoint ambassadors –

Make executive agreements –

A Leader with Many Roles Legislative Leader

› President can influence laws

Give a speech to Congress State of the Union

By describing problems and solutions the President is setting domestic policy

A Leader with Many Roles

Legislative Leader› How can the President influence Congress?

Give speeches to special interest groups Give public speeches Take action by veto

A Leader with Many Roles

Legislative Leader› Makes a budget ( )

Puts the policy ideas into action by setting aside money for them

›

A Leader with Many Roles

Judicial Powers›

Senate must approve these appointments

›

A Leader with Many Roles

Roles created by tradition› Party Leader

› Chief of State Expresses the values and

goals of the American people

Ceremonial duties

Symbol of the US

Chapter 9: The Executive Branch

Section 2 – The Organization of the Executive Branch

Executive Branch As the nation grows the powers and duties of

the president do as well› Executive branch has become a large bureaucracy

–

Hired as permanent employees

President appoints people to his/her administration

Executive Office of the President The Executive Departments Independent Agencies

Executive Office of the President EOP is made up of people the President wants to

help make foreign and domestic policy Main job –

The White House Staff›

Appointed without approval from Senate Why?

› Includes most trusted advisors and assistants Gives advice on things like -

Executive Office of the President

The Vice President›

› President assigns duties Some play active roles

› Becomes President if the current one dies or becomes ill

Executive Office of the President

Special Advisory Groups› Help the President make decisions on

domestic and foreign policy Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

National Security Council (NSC)

The Executive Departments Each departments fulfills some of the President’s

duties› Department of State

›

› Department of Homeland Security

Coordinate antiterrorist activities of different federal agencies [Coast Guard/ INS]

The Executive Departments

The Cabinet› Heads of each department are part of the

President’s cabinet –

All heads are called

Exception:

Independent Agencies

Three types of independent agencies – executive , regulatory commissions, and government corporations

Executive Agencies › Under direct control of the President

Examples –

Independent Agencies Regulatory commissions

› Congress forms 12

Ex- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Settles disputes between businesses they regulate

President chooses member of the boards

Independent Agencies

Government Corporations›

The Civil Service System

President chooses

1883 Congress set up the Civil Service System›

Tests

Provides a group of trained workers who stay on the job from President to President

Chapter 9: The Executive Branch

Section 3 – Presidents and Power

Freedom to Take Action President’s freedom

›

Talks represent agreements with other countries Some lead to treaties

› Protection for Presidential independence is executive privilege

Sometimes the nation’s safety is wrapped up in a secret Not written in the Constitution Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

Seeking a Balance

President is able to act without other branches of government›

Presidential Power

Louisiana Purchase

Presidential Power

Steel Mills

Presidential Power

Watergate