Ch. 7Ch. 7

The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch

The President’s Job: Ch. 7.2The President’s Job: Ch. 7.2 The President’s main job is to carry out the The President’s main job is to carry out the

laws passed by Congress.laws passed by Congress.

The Constitution gives the president power The Constitution gives the president power to veto, call Congress into special session, to veto, call Congress into special session, serve as commander-in-chief, and receive serve as commander-in-chief, and receive foreign officials.foreign officials.

The president can also make treaties, The president can also make treaties, appoint judges and top government appoint judges and top government officials, and pardon convicted criminalsofficials, and pardon convicted criminals

Jobs of the PresidentJobs of the President

The Constitution also requires the The Constitution also requires the president to give Congress an update president to give Congress an update of the nation with the “State of the of the nation with the “State of the Union” address.Union” address.

The president discusses the most The president discusses the most important issues facing the nation important issues facing the nation and describes new legislation he and describes new legislation he would liked passed.would liked passed.

7 Roles of the President7 Roles of the President

1.1. Chief ExecutiveChief Executive

2.2. Chief DiplomatChief Diplomat

3.3. Commander-in-ChiefCommander-in-Chief

4.4. Chief LegislatorChief Legislator

5.5. Head of StateHead of State

6.6. Economic LeaderEconomic Leader

7.7. Party LeaderParty Leader

Chief ExecutiveChief Executive

As Chief Executive, the president is in As Chief Executive, the president is in charge of 15 cabinet departments and charge of 15 cabinet departments and more than 3 million government workers.more than 3 million government workers.

The president appoints the heads of The president appoints the heads of cabinet departments and large agencies cabinet departments and large agencies ((Senate must approveSenate must approve))

Ex. Dept. of Defense, State Dept., Dept. of Ex. Dept. of Defense, State Dept., Dept. of TreasuryTreasury

Chief ExecutiveChief Executive The president does not have any The president does not have any

legislative powers (can not make laws), legislative powers (can not make laws), but he can issue but he can issue executive ordersexecutive orders—rules —rules or commands that have the force of law.or commands that have the force of law.

Can be good for the nation—Ex. Order Can be good for the nation—Ex. Order 9981 (1948) desegregates military9981 (1948) desegregates military

Can be detrimental to the country—Ex. Can be detrimental to the country—Ex. Order 9066 (1942) Japanese American Order 9066 (1942) Japanese American Internment campsInternment camps

Chief ExecutiveChief Executive The president can appoint federal judges, The president can appoint federal judges,

including Supreme Court justices. including Supreme Court justices.

This is important because the way the Supreme This is important because the way the Supreme Court interprets laws greatly affects life in the Court interprets laws greatly affects life in the U.S. U.S.

Most presidents will appoint justices who share Most presidents will appoint justices who share views similar to their ownviews similar to their own

Influence will be felt long after they leave the Influence will be felt long after they leave the White HouseWhite House

Chief ExecutiveChief Executive Besides the power of appointment, the president Besides the power of appointment, the president

does have some judicial powers.does have some judicial powers.

The president can grant The president can grant pardons,pardons, or declarations or declarations of forgiveness and freedom from punishmentof forgiveness and freedom from punishment

The president can also issue a The president can also issue a reprieve, reprieve, an order an order to delay a person’s punishment until a higher to delay a person’s punishment until a higher court can hear the case.court can hear the case.

Can also grant Can also grant amnesty, amnesty, a pardon toward a a pardon toward a group of people.group of people.

Chief DiplomatChief Diplomat

The president is responsible for The president is responsible for directing directing foreign policy,foreign policy, or the or the country’s strategy on how we deal country’s strategy on how we deal with foreign nations and the with foreign nations and the relationships we build relationships we build

Directs the U.S. in making key Directs the U.S. in making key decisions about how we conduct decisions about how we conduct ourselves in the worldourselves in the world

Commander-in-ChiefCommander-in-Chief

As commander-in-chief, the president As commander-in-chief, the president is in charge of all branches of the is in charge of all branches of the armed forces.armed forces.

Congress and the president share the Congress and the president share the power to make war. Only Congress power to make war. Only Congress can declare war, but only the can declare war, but only the president can order soldiers into president can order soldiers into battle.battle.

Commander-in-ChiefCommander-in-Chief Congress has declared war only 5 times, yet presidents Congress has declared war only 5 times, yet presidents

have sent troops into action over 150 times.have sent troops into action over 150 times.

Can potentially threaten the system of checks and balancesCan potentially threaten the system of checks and balances

After the undeclared Vietnam War, Congress passed the After the undeclared Vietnam War, Congress passed the War Powers Act. War Powers Act. This law requires the president to notify This law requires the president to notify Congress immediately when troops are sent into battle.Congress immediately when troops are sent into battle.

The troops must be brought home after 60 days unless The troops must be brought home after 60 days unless Congress approves a longer stay or declares war.Congress approves a longer stay or declares war.

Chief LegislatorChief Legislator Only Congress may introduce bills, but the Only Congress may introduce bills, but the

executive branch proposes most legislation.executive branch proposes most legislation.

All presidents have a legislative program that All presidents have a legislative program that they want Congress to pass.they want Congress to pass.

The speeches they give to key members of The speeches they give to key members of Congress and the public is done so to build Congress and the public is done so to build support for their programs.support for their programs.

The presidents’ staff works on the laws with The presidents’ staff works on the laws with members of Congress. Ex. Patriot Act or tax cutsmembers of Congress. Ex. Patriot Act or tax cuts

Chief LegislatorChief Legislator The president and Congress often disagree.The president and Congress often disagree.

A main reason for that the president represents the whole A main reason for that the president represents the whole nation. Congress members only represent their states or nation. Congress members only represent their states or districts districts

Another reason is that the president can only serve two Another reason is that the president can only serve two terms. Many Congress members win reelection many times terms. Many Congress members win reelection many times and remain in office sometimes for decades.and remain in office sometimes for decades.

As a result, the president often wants to move faster on As a result, the president often wants to move faster on programs than members of Congress do. (Status Quo v. programs than members of Congress do. (Status Quo v. Change)Change)

Head of StateHead of State

The president is the living symbol of The president is the living symbol of the U.S.the U.S.

As head of state, the president is As head of state, the president is responsible for hosting visiting responsible for hosting visiting foreign leaders and carrying out foreign leaders and carrying out ceremonial functions. Ex. Awarding ceremonial functions. Ex. Awarding medals or throwing out the first pitch medals or throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game.at a baseball game.

Economic LeaderEconomic Leader

As a country’s economic leader, it is As a country’s economic leader, it is the presidents’ job to ensure that the the presidents’ job to ensure that the economy is prospering.economy is prospering.

The president must plan the federal The president must plan the federal budget and try to deal with problems budget and try to deal with problems such as unemployment, rising prices such as unemployment, rising prices (inflation), and high taxation.(inflation), and high taxation.

Party LeaderParty Leader

The president is the face of his or her The president is the face of his or her political party.political party.

Members of the political party work hard Members of the political party work hard to elect the president into office.to elect the president into office.

In return, the president gives speeches to In return, the president gives speeches to raise campaign money and help fellow raise campaign money and help fellow party members win political office in the party members win political office in the Senate, House, and Governor’s seats.Senate, House, and Governor’s seats.

Making Foreign Policy: Ch. 7.3Making Foreign Policy: Ch. 7.3 Foreign policy Foreign policy is a nations’ overall plan is a nations’ overall plan

for dealing with other nations. for dealing with other nations.

There are many goals our country tries to There are many goals our country tries to achieve:achieve:

1.1. National SecurityNational Security2.2. International TradeInternational Trade3.3. Promotion of World PeacePromotion of World Peace4.4. Promotion of Human Rights and Promotion of Human Rights and

DemocracyDemocracy

Foreign Policy BureaucracyForeign Policy Bureaucracy

The Executive Branch includes a The Executive Branch includes a large foreign policy bureaucracy.large foreign policy bureaucracy.

It includes:It includes:- State Department- State Department- Department of Defense- Department of Defense- Central Intelligence Agency- Central Intelligence Agency- National Security Council (NSC)- National Security Council (NSC)

Congress v. the PresidentCongress v. the President

The president and Congress share The president and Congress share the power to conduct foreign affairs.the power to conduct foreign affairs.

The president is the chief diplomat The president is the chief diplomat and commander-in-chief, but and commander-in-chief, but Congress has the power to declare Congress has the power to declare war, prohibit certain military actions, war, prohibit certain military actions, and spend or withhold money for and spend or withhold money for defense.defense.

Congress v. the PresidentCongress v. the President

The Constitution does not make clear The Constitution does not make clear how the executive and legislative how the executive and legislative branches can use their powers.branches can use their powers.

Because of this, the branches Because of this, the branches compete for control of foreign policy.compete for control of foreign policy.

Tools of Foreign PolicyTools of Foreign Policy

Treaties and Executive AgreementsTreaties and Executive Agreements Treaties are formal agreements between the governments Treaties are formal agreements between the governments

of two or more countries.of two or more countries.

Some treaties, such as NATO (April 1949), are agreements Some treaties, such as NATO (April 1949), are agreements among nations for mutual defense; NAFTA was made as an among nations for mutual defense; NAFTA was made as an economic free trade agreement.economic free trade agreement.

The Senate must approve a treaty by a 2/3 vote.The Senate must approve a treaty by a 2/3 vote.

President can however make an President can however make an executive agreement executive agreement with the leader of another country without Senate approval. with the leader of another country without Senate approval. Deal with routine mattersDeal with routine matters

Tools of Foreign PolicyTools of Foreign Policy

Appointing AmbassadorsAppointing Ambassadors An An ambassador ambassador is an official is an official

representative of a country’s government.representative of a country’s government.

The president appoints ambassadors, with The president appoints ambassadors, with Senate approval. Senate approval.

Ambassadors are only sent to countries Ambassadors are only sent to countries where the U.S. accepts the government as where the U.S. accepts the government as legally in power.legally in power.

Tools of Foreign PolicyTools of Foreign Policy

Foreign AidForeign Aid The U.S. gives foreign aid in the form The U.S. gives foreign aid in the form

of money, food, military assistance, of money, food, military assistance, or other supplies to help other or other supplies to help other countries.countries.

Ex. The Marshall Plan 1947-1951 Ex. The Marshall Plan 1947-1951 which helped rebuild Western Europe which helped rebuild Western Europe after World War II. $13 Billion total.after World War II. $13 Billion total.

Tools of Foreign PolicyTools of Foreign Policy

International TradeInternational Trade The president makes agreements with other The president makes agreements with other

nations about what products may be traded and nations about what products may be traded and the rules of trade.the rules of trade.

Sometimes the rules include Sometimes the rules include trade sanctionstrade sanctions – – efforts to punish another country by imposing efforts to punish another country by imposing trade barriers. trade barriers.

Another punishing tool is an Another punishing tool is an embargoembargo, an , an agreement among a group of nations that agreement among a group of nations that prohibits them all from trading with the target prohibits them all from trading with the target nation.nation.

Tools of Foreign PolicyTools of Foreign Policy

Congress takes the lead in imposing Congress takes the lead in imposing tariffs on imported goods and in tariffs on imported goods and in joining international trade groupsjoining international trade groups

One such trade group is the North One such trade group is the North American Free Trade Agreement American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)(NAFTA)

Tools of Foreign PolicyTools of Foreign Policy

Military ForceMilitary Force As commander-in chief, presidents may As commander-in chief, presidents may

use the military to carry out some foreign use the military to carry out some foreign policy decisions that could involve policy decisions that could involve deploying armed forces or launching deploying armed forces or launching missile attacks. missile attacks.

Powerful tool, but must be used with care.Powerful tool, but must be used with care.

Ex. Iraq and Afghanistan; VietnamEx. Iraq and Afghanistan; Vietnam

Ch. 7.4: Executive Office of the Ch. 7.4: Executive Office of the PresidentPresident

The Executive Office of the President (EOP) The Executive Office of the President (EOP) was created in 1939 by FDR.was created in 1939 by FDR.

Assists the President in doing his jobAssists the President in doing his job

Includes over 2000 employees and $100 Includes over 2000 employees and $100 million budgetmillion budget

Prepares reports, drafts bills, checks the Prepares reports, drafts bills, checks the work of various executive agencieswork of various executive agencies

White House StaffWhite House Staff

Consists of 500 people/10-12 closest Consists of 500 people/10-12 closest advisors to the Presidentadvisors to the President

Most powerful person Chief of Staff: Most powerful person Chief of Staff: screens the flow of information and people screens the flow of information and people to the Presidentto the President

Press Secretary: deals with the media on Press Secretary: deals with the media on behalf of the President. Updates press on behalf of the President. Updates press on the President’s position on various issues.the President’s position on various issues.

Office of Management and Budget Office of Management and Budget (OMB)(OMB)

Prepares the federal budget and Prepares the federal budget and helps the President monitor helps the President monitor government spendinggovernment spending

Federal budget lays out the Federal budget lays out the administrations plans and goals for administrations plans and goals for the upcoming yearthe upcoming year

National Security Council (NSC)National Security Council (NSC)

Helps President coordinate the military Helps President coordinate the military and construct foreign policy.and construct foreign policy.

Includes the V.P., Sec. of State, Sec. of Includes the V.P., Sec. of State, Sec. of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and top commanders of each of the Staff, and top commanders of each of the armed forces.armed forces.

Forms our nations foreign policies and Forms our nations foreign policies and principles of the U.S. Supervises the CIA.principles of the U.S. Supervises the CIA.

Council of Economic Advisers Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)(CEA)

Contains three independent Contains three independent members or economistsmembers or economists

Advise the President about economic Advise the President about economic matters: employment in the U.S., matters: employment in the U.S., tax policy, inflation, trade with other tax policy, inflation, trade with other countries, etc.countries, etc.

President’s Cabinet DeptsPresident’s Cabinet Depts

These are the advisers who are the These are the advisers who are the heads of the 15 top level executive heads of the 15 top level executive depts. (state, treasury, justice, depts. (state, treasury, justice, defense)defense)

Head of the Dept. of Justice is the Head of the Dept. of Justice is the Attorney General. All other heads Attorney General. All other heads will have the title of secretary.will have the title of secretary.

Department HeadsDepartment Heads

Must be approved by the SenateMust be approved by the Senate

Any advise given to the President will Any advise given to the President will usually be on issues related to their usually be on issues related to their departmentsdepartments

President will determine when they President will determine when they meet and how much to rely on their meet and how much to rely on their advise.advise.

The Federal BureaucracyThe Federal Bureaucracy

The Executive Branch is shaped like The Executive Branch is shaped like a triangle.a triangle.

Top down: PresidentTop down: President

deptsdepts

hundreds of executive agencieshundreds of executive agencies

The Federal Bureaucracy (cont.)The Federal Bureaucracy (cont.)

Departments and agencies carry out Departments and agencies carry out government programs in 3 ways:government programs in 3 ways:

1.1. Develop procedures for putting new laws Develop procedures for putting new laws into practiceinto practice

2.2. Administer day-to-day operations of Administer day-to-day operations of governmentgovernment

3.3. Regulate or police various governmental Regulate or police various governmental activitiesactivities

This all helps shape government policyThis all helps shape government policy

Independent agenciesIndependent agencies

Not a part of any cabinet, but still Not a part of any cabinet, but still have to report out to the Presidenthave to report out to the President

3 types: Executive Agencies3 types: Executive Agencies

Government Corporations Government Corporations

Regulatory Regulatory CommissionsCommissions

Executive AgenciesExecutive Agencies

Deal with specialized areas of Deal with specialized areas of expertiseexpertise

Ex. NASA, FED, NSA, FDA, EPAEx. NASA, FED, NSA, FDA, EPA

Government CorporationsGovernment Corporations

Act like private businesses but Act like private businesses but government owns and runs them.government owns and runs them.

They charge for services, but are not They charge for services, but are not supposed to make a profit, all $ go supposed to make a profit, all $ go back into the businessback into the business

Ex. U.S. postal serviceEx. U.S. postal service

Regulatory CommissionsRegulatory Commissions

DOES NOT REPORT TO THE PRESIDENTDOES NOT REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT

President appoints the head of regulatory President appoints the head of regulatory commissions but only Congress can commissions but only Congress can remove (impeach)remove (impeach)

Protects the public by making and Protects the public by making and enforcing rules for certain industriesenforcing rules for certain industries

Ex. FCC, FAAEx. FCC, FAA

Political Appointees Political Appointees

Top department jobs usually go to Top department jobs usually go to political appointees political appointees

Employment usually ends when the Employment usually ends when the President leaves officePresident leaves office

90% of national government 90% of national government employees are civil service workersemployees are civil service workers

Political AppointeesPolitical Appointees

Usually have permanent employmentUsually have permanent employment

Hiring is usually based on open, Hiring is usually based on open, competitive examinations and merit.competitive examinations and merit.

Before 1883, hiring was based on Before 1883, hiring was based on “who you knew”“who you knew”

Spoils systemSpoils system

Abuse of the spoils system led to Abuse of the spoils system led to Congress passing the Pendleton Act Congress passing the Pendleton Act or Civil Service Reform Act of 1883.or Civil Service Reform Act of 1883.

This established the Office of This established the Office of Personnel ManagementPersonnel Management