Executive Branch Notes

The Executive Branch Ch – 10 GPS  SSCG12 The student will analyze the various roles played by the President of the United States; include Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, chief executive, chief agenda setter, representative of the nation, chief of state, foreign policy leader, and party leader GPS  SSCG13 The student will describe the qualifications for becoming President of the United States  Explain the written qualifications for President of the United States  Describe unwritten qualifications common to past presidents GPS  SSCG14 The student will explain the impeachment process and its usage for elected officials  Explain the impeachment process as defined in the U.S Constitution  Describe the impeachment proceedings of Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton GPS  SSCG15 The student will explain the functions of the departments and agencies of the federal bureaucracy  Compare and contrast the organization and responsibilities of independent regulatory agencies, government corporations, and executive agencies  Explain the functions of the Cabinet GPS  SSCG20 The student will describe the tools used to carry out United States foreign policy (diplomacy; economic, military, and humanitarian aid; treaties; sanctions; and military intervention) The President of the United States     Barack H Obama II 44th President, elected in 2008 Senator from Illinois Democrat Duties of the President  Constitutional Duties of the President: - make sure the national laws are fully executed; - serve as commander in chief of the armed forces; - appoint top officials, federal judges, and ambassadors; - meet with heads of foreign governments President’s Term and Salary    The 22nd Amendment limits to two terms Before this, George Washington set a precedent of two presidential terms FDR was the only president elected to more than terms – he was elected times Congress determines the president’s salary ($400,000 beginning in 2001); Benefits are provided for presidents while in office and in retirement Compensation     Salary $400,000(2001) $50,000 for expenses $100,000 for travel White House 132 rooms and office      Camp David Resort Medical & Dental Care Secret service protectionlife Pension Transportation Presidential Roles As chief diplomat: - directs foreign policy and oversees foreign affairs information agencies; has power to make treaties, with Senate approval; may make, without congressional approval, executive Clinton with a agreements having the force of leader of treaties with foreign nations; has Pakistan the power to recognize foreign governments President as Chief Diplomat   Reagan with Soviet President Gorbachaf Obama with Chinese Foreign Minister Leadership Qualities and Skills    Presidents must understand the people Presidents must be able to communicate effectively and explain their policies clearly in order to inspire public support Presidents must know when the time is right to introduce new policies or make key decisions Leadership Qualities and Skills  Successful presidents must:  be flexible and open to new ideas  be able to compromise  have political courage All the living Presidents Other Past Presidents Presidents back in the day Presidents in Chairs The Federal Bureaucracy Ch 10 The Cabinet Departments   A civilian that works for the federal government is called a bureaucrat or a civil servant The 15 executive departments are a major part of the federal bureaucracy and are headed by secretaries and staffed with assistant secretaries, deputy secretaries, and directors of major units The Cabinet Departments Independent Agencies     The federal bureaucracy includes over 100 independent organizations whose heads are appointed by the president Some agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency and the General Services Administration provide services directly for the executive branch Government corporations are independent agencies that directly serve the public, such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the United States Postal Service Include NASA, EPA, FEMA Regulatory Commissions      make rules for businesses and industries that affect the public interest; are often under intense pressures from the groups they regulate and their lobbyists; have become more limited in their powers because critics have complained that they over regulate the economy; were the subject of regulatory reform by the Republican Congress in the mid-1990s The federal government has increased regulation under the Obama administration Regulatory Commissions Influencing Policy     Policy consists of all the actions and decisions taken or not taken by the government Federal bureaucrats carry out policy decisions made by the president and Congress The bureaucracy often determines what the law means through the rules and regulations it issues Bureaucrats aid in shaping policy by helping Congress draft its new laws or by providing ideas for legislation ... played by the President of the United States; include Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, chief executive, chief agenda setter, representative of the nation, chief of state, foreign policy leader,... organization and responsibilities of independent regulatory agencies, government corporations, and executive agencies  Explain the functions of the Cabinet GPS  SSCG20 The student will describe... cabinet appointees, and it usually does so out of courtesy to the president There are 15 major executive departments in the Cabinet