The Executive Branch

Everything you need to know about the presidency & Article 2!

Article 2

Sets up the Executive Branch

Electoral College

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

538

Number of people in the Electoral College. 100 Senators + 435 House members + 3 seats for Washington DC

270 to Win

Number of electoral votes to win presidency

Winner-Takes-All

Electoral system in which the candidate receiving the most votes in that state wins all of their electoral votes.

Criticism of the Electoral College

The winner in the Electoral College does not always match the popular vote

Qualifications to be president

35 years old, natural born citizen, live in the US 14 years

Pardon power

Power of the president to forgive a federal offense without penalty or grant release from a penalty already imposed.

Appointing power

Authority to place individuals in certain government jobs with Senate approval. The president appoints Supreme Court justices, their cabinet, and ambassadors.

Commander in chief of Armed Forces

The president is the leader of the United States military

Makes treaties

The president deals with all foreign relations with other countries

War Powers Act

(1973) A resolution of Congress that stated the President can only send troops into action abroad by authorization of Congress or if America is already under attack or serious threat. Limited the power of the president.

Cabinet

A group of advisers to the president. Includes Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Treasury, Attorney General, etc.

Bureaucracy

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials. This helps the president do his job and the Executive Branch to function efficiently.

Executive Offices of the President

Specialized offices, such as the Council of Economic Advisers, providing narrow advice to the president. Operates out of the West Wing of the White House.

Independent Agencies

Agencies in the executive branch of the federal government formed by Congress to help enforce laws and regulations not covered by the executive departments. This includes the FBI, CIA, NASA, etc.

Executive Orders

Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the federal bureaucracy.

Impeachment

An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." THIS IS A CHECK THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH HAS OVER THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

Vice President

Given almost no power in the Constitution other than being President of the Senate.

25th Amendment

(1) Succession of VP if president dies or become incapable to do his job.(2) if there is no VP, president must appoint one, and congress must approve

20th Amendment

President gets inaugurated on January 20th. "Lame-duck" Amendment. This moved inauguration from March to January.

22nd Amendment

The president can serve to 2 terms or 10 years