The Organization and Powers of the Executive Branch
President and Vice-President:
As head of the executive branch, the president is the most powerful elected leader in the United States. According to the Consitution, there are three requirments to become President. To qualify for the Presidency or vice Presidency, one must be a native born U.S. citizen, at least 35 years of age and the president must also have been a U.S. resident for 14 years.
Americans elect a president and vice president every four years. Franklin D. Roosevelt, who won four times, was the only president to serve more than two terms. Now Presidents are limited to only two terms. If a president dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the vice president becomes president for the rest of the term.
The House of Representatives can impeach, or vote to bring charges of serious crimes against the President. If the President is found guilty, he is removed from office. Impeachment cases are tried in the Senate. If a president is found guilty, Congress can remove him from office.
Working with Congress:
The President and Congress are often on different sides of an issue. However, they must still work together.
Congress passes laws. The president can veto, or cancel laws Congress has passed. Congress can try to override, or undo, the veto. However, this is difficult since it takes a 2/3 majority vote. To carry out laws affecting the Constitution or treaties, the president issues executive orders. Executive orders are commands that have the power of law. The president also may grant pardons, or grant someone freedom from punishment, to persons convicted of federal crimes.
The president also commands the armed forces. In emergencies, the president can call on U.S. troops. Only Congress, however, can declare war. To be clear, the President CANNOT declare war. Other executive duties include conducting foreign relations and creating treaties. As of 2004 there were 15 executive branch departments. The president chooses department heads, who are called secretaries, and the Senate approves them. The department heads make up the cabinet, which advises the president. So the cabinet is a group of advisors to the President. The President also appoints Supreme Court Justices, and then the Senate approves them.
As head of the executive branch, the president is the most powerful elected leader in the United States. According to the Consitution, there are three requirments to become President. To qualify for the Presidency or vice Presidency, one must be a native born U.S. citizen, at least 35 years of age and the president must also have been a U.S. resident for 14 years.
Americans elect a president and vice president every four years. Franklin D. Roosevelt, who won four times, was the only president to serve more than two terms. Now Presidents are limited to only two terms. If a president dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the vice president becomes president for the rest of the term.
The House of Representatives can impeach, or vote to bring charges of serious crimes against the President. If the President is found guilty, he is removed from office. Impeachment cases are tried in the Senate. If a president is found guilty, Congress can remove him from office.
Working with Congress:
The President and Congress are often on different sides of an issue. However, they must still work together.
Congress passes laws. The president can veto, or cancel laws Congress has passed. Congress can try to override, or undo, the veto. However, this is difficult since it takes a 2/3 majority vote. To carry out laws affecting the Constitution or treaties, the president issues executive orders. Executive orders are commands that have the power of law. The president also may grant pardons, or grant someone freedom from punishment, to persons convicted of federal crimes.
The president also commands the armed forces. In emergencies, the president can call on U.S. troops. Only Congress, however, can declare war. To be clear, the President CANNOT declare war. Other executive duties include conducting foreign relations and creating treaties. As of 2004 there were 15 executive branch departments. The president chooses department heads, who are called secretaries, and the Senate approves them. The department heads make up the cabinet, which advises the president. So the cabinet is a group of advisors to the President. The President also appoints Supreme Court Justices, and then the Senate approves them.