Presidency & Executive Branch

• President of the United States, head of the Executive Branch of the federal government, and the most important and powerful office in America and the world.

• Article II of the Constitution lists and describes the powers and duties of the President

• The President is elected every 4 years in our only national election, and is actually elected by the Electoral College, not the citizen’s actual vote.

Requirements to be President

• There are 3 requirements that must be met to become President:

• Must be a native-born United States citizen

• Must be at least 35 years old

• Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years

Presidency & Executive Branch

• 4 common characteristics of most United States Presidents:

1. white male 2. Protestant religion 3. attended college 4. lawyer (27/44)

• President’s benefits include:1. salary of $400,000 per year (set by

Congress)2. $50,000 per year in expenses, plus

$100,000 per year travel expenses3. The White House, with a house staff of

about 100, mountain retreat4. the best medical care, retirement, and

personal protection for 14 years

Presidency & Executive Branch

• The President serves a 4 year term, and has a 2 term limit•Congress set the 2-term limit in 1951 with the 22nd Amendment (FDR served 4 terms, only to do so)

Vice President• The Vice-President’s

benefits include:• salary of $208,100 per year

and $10,000 per year for other expenses

• a free home (the Naval Observatory) in Washington, with a large staff

• health, retirement, and protection benefits similar to the President

Presidency & Executive Branch

• There is no limit to the number of terms a person can serve as Vice-President•9 Vice-Presidents have taken over the Presidency following the deaths or resignations of a President. • John Tyler was the first Vice-President to succeed a President who died, when in 1841 he replaced President William Henry Harrison upon his death.

Presidency & Executive Branch

• 1947 - Congress passed the Presidential Succession Act, setting the legal order of succession to replace a President. •(Study and know the Presidential Succession Chart on page 211)

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Presidency & Executive Branch

25th Amendment1. When a President dies, resigns, or is unable to

serve, Vice-President legally becomes the President, acquiring all powers of the office

2. The “new” President picks a new Vice-President who must be approved by Congress

3. The Vice-President can become “acting President” for a short period of time in an emergency, such as the President has surgery, and is under anesthesia. (This has occurred)

Presidency & Executive Branch

Presidents Responsibilities/Powers• Executive Orders- rules or commands issued by the president, which have the force and power of a law. (rarely used, only in time of crisis normally)• Executive Agreement- an agreement between the President and the leader of another country. It has the same power and force as a treaty, but does not require Senate approval.• “State of the union” address, or speech once a year. This televised speech, usually given in February, in a joint session of Congress, describes the status of the nation, and indicates the President’s goals for the country.

Presidency & Executive Branch

• Submit a budget for the U. S. government, explaining where money will be spent, and where it will come from.•Congress, which must approve the budget, does not have to accept the President’s plans, and usually makes many changes to the budget. • Special Session of Congress, calling all members of Congress together to discuss some urgent matter.

Presidency & Executive Branch

• Pardon- the President can issue a pardon, or forgiveness to a person, who has been convicted of a crime. (Person is free from any punishment)• Reprieve- the President can issue a reprieve, which is an order to delay a punishment until a higher court can rule on a case.• Amnesty- similar to a pardon, but issued to a large number of people who have broken a federal law.

President Gerald Ford pardoned former President Richard Nixon of any wrong doings associated with the Watergate Scandal.

Presidency & Executive Branch

President’s Administration - a small group of people in the level just below the President.• Administration is part of the EOP, or the Executive Office of the President:1. The White House Office- consists of the people closest

to the president, who advise him, and meet with him personally each day.

2. Chief of Staff- the most powerful official in the White House Office, and also the most trusted and closest individual to the President.

3. Press Secretary, another official in the White House Office. He meets with reporters each day, and is the most visible member of the White House Office.

The Presidency

• 4. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB)- this office is responsible for gathering information about the United States economy to help the President prepare the United States budget, which the President must send to Congress each year. (Headed by Budget Director)

• 5. The National Security Council (NSC)- is responsible for advising and informing the President on issues affecting the safety and security of the United States and its interests around the world.

Quick Review

1. List some benefits received if you are President and Vice President.

2. Based on the 25th Amendment who will pick the new vice president in the event the original vice president becomes president?

3. What article of the Constitution describes the powers and duties of the President?

4. Who was the first vice president to take over the presidency due to the president’s death?

5. List the three major requirements needed to become president.

6. Other than the president, who is the most powerful person in the White House?

The Presidency

• NSC includes the Secretary of State, the NSC Director, the Secretary of Defense, the Chief of Staff, the CIA Director, the FBI Director, military advisers, foreign policy advisers, and others. – NSC oversees the CIA (Central

Intelligence Agency)– CIA is responsible for gathering

information on foreign countries, their governments and their military, using spies, satellites, and other techniques.

Executive Office of the President

11 other offices within the Executive Office:1. Office of National Drug Control Policy – address the drug

problem in America2. Council of Economic Advisers – domestic economic

issues3. Council on Environmental Quality – environmental

issues such as pollution4. Office of Science and Technology Policy – computers,

Internet, NASA, etc5. Office of Administration – assist EOP offices as needed6. Office of the United States Trade Representative –

establishes and advises foreign trade policy

Executive Office of the President

11 other offices within the Executive Office:7. The Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board - gathering and

analysis of intelligence and counter-intelligence activities.8. Domestic Policy Council - advises the President on the

domestic policy of the United States9. National Economic Council- advises the President on U.S.

and global economic policy issues.10. President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board-

established to help the President formulate and implement our economic recovery.

11. President's Intelligence Advisory Board and Intelligence Oversight Board- advises the president on the effectiveness of our intelligence community.