The Executive BranchChapter 9

Essential QuestionsWhat roles does the President play?

Which role is the most important?

How much power does the President really have?

What is the President’s role in the separation of powers?

How do the executive departments and agencies help society?

Roles of the PresidentThe President is the head of the executive

branch.

Executive Branch: the branch of government responsible for executing, or carrying out, the law.

The President also sets goals for the nation and develops policies.

How The Presidency Began Ways to limit the powers of the President:

Limit to the # of terms in office President CANNOT make laws Congress approves many presidential decisions Congress can remove a President from office Supreme Court decides if Presidents’ actions are

constitutional

Qualifications and Salary: Must be at least 35 years old Natural-born citizen of the United States Must live in the U.S. for at least 14 years Yearly salary is set by Congress

Leadership RolesChief Executive

Head of the executive branch Execute laws (decide how they are carried out) Makes broad decisions – leaves details to other

officials through executive orders Executive orders: rules and regulations that

government must follow Power to appoint 4,000 executive branch officials

Congress must approve many top appointments

Leadership RolesCommander in Chief:

Head of the armed forces Makes the MOST IMPORTANT military decisions Often listens to advisers for less important military

decisions Able to send troops to foreign countries for a short

period of time without Congress declaring war.

Leadership Roles Chief Diplomat:

Most important representative of the U.S. in international relations

Foreign Policy: the set of plans for guiding our nation’s relationships with other countries Powers are not really limited

Ambassador: the official representatives to foreign governments President appoints ambassadors, Congress approves them

Executive Agreements: agreements with other countries that do not need Senate approval Set goals for trade, or make promises to give aid to other

countries

Leadership Roles Legislative Leader

Influences what laws should be and how they should be enforced.

Congress is expected to consider the Presidents ideas. State of the Union Address outlines foreign and domestic

policy Domestic Policy: a set of plans for dealing with

national problems President can call meetings with members of Congress to

support his programs. President can influence congress through the power of the

veto (Why is this important?) Congress has only overridden 4% of 2,500 vetoes. President outlines how money is to be raised and spent for

his programs.

Leadership RolesJudicial Powers:

President appoints Judges to the Supreme Court, but Senate has to confirm them.

President can put off or reduce punishment of someone

convicted of a crime in federal court do away with a punishment through granting a

pardon or release someone from current punishment.

Roles created through TraditionHead of Political Party:

Leaders of the Political Party they represent Helps to advance the party by raising money and

speaking at public functions

Chief of State: Expresses the values and goals of the American

people Ceremonial duties such as greeting visiting foreign

leaders Stands for national unity and as a symbol of the

United States

Organizing the Executive BranchBureaucracy: an organization of

government departments, agencies, and offices Hired as permanent employees, not just for one

President

Administration: team of executive branch officials

Cabinet: group of policy advisers to the President

Organizing the Executive Branch White House Staff

Most trusted advisers and assistants Give advice about national security, economy, etc. Includes the Chief of Staff, key advisers, secretaries, legal

experts, speechwriters, office workers, and researchers Appointed by the President without Senate approval

Vice President Presides over Senate under the Constitution President decides how active VP is

Special Advisory Groups Deals with special issues, domestic and foreign Office of Management and Budget (OMB) National Security Council (NSC)

Executive DepartmentsCurrently 15 executive departments

Form the largest part of the executive branch

Each department helps to fulfill one or more of the President’s duties.

Independent Agencies Executive Agencies:

Under direct control of the President (can remove directors at any time)

Most important groups: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Regulatory Commissions: Carries out rules for certain business or economic

activity. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – rules for

radio and television Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) – safety

standards for products found around the house

Independent AgenciesGovernment Corporations:

Provides public services that are too risky or expensive for private businesses to undertake. EX: U.S. Postal Service

Civil Services: Government workers (civil servants) are hired

based on merit (tests) President chooses fewer than 1% of workers in the

executive branch

Presidents and PowerTreaties: formal agreements between

nations The President does not need Senate approval to

meet with leaders of foreign countries The Senate has the power to reject treaties, but

usually follow what the President sees as necessary

Executive Privilege: the right to keep some information secret from Congress and the courts Usually for reasons of national security (safety)

Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase Jefferson had the opportunity to buy the Louisiana

Territory for $15 million from France (Napoleon)

This purchase would double the size of the U.S.

He didn’t know what to do because the Constitution didn’t say that the President had the power to buy territory

Jefferson consulted his advisors (including Secretary of State James Madison)

He decided to accept Napoleon’s offer

The Senate ratified the treaty and Congress agreed to pay France for the territory

Truman and the Steel Mills In 1952 during the Korean War

Steelworkers said they wouldn’t work unless their demands were met

Truman placed the Secretary of Commerce in control of the Steel Mills

Steel companies said the President has no right to take over private property

Truman said he acted in the best interest of American soldiers who were fighting in war

Supreme Court said that the President had no right to take private property even in the event of a national emergency