The Executive Branch

12th amendment

The President and vice President must run together for office: if you can’t run for President → you CAN’T run for vice

20th amendment

The election way was moved to January 20th

22nd amendment

Limited to being elected to 2 full 4 year terms (10 YEAR MAX if you succeeded to the office and completed another President’s term)

Qualifications for U.S. President

1. At least 35 years old

2. Natural Born Citizen

3. Resident of the U.S. for 14 years

Presidential Succession Act of 1947

Establishes the current line of succession (Vice President, Speaker of House, Pro Tempore, and Cabinet)

25th amendment

the vice President becomes acting president if the president is unable to carry out his duties. MAJORITY VOTE IN BOTH HOUSES

Vice President

The only official duty is to preside over the senate (tie breaking vote) and to assume the office if the current president becomes unable

Executive orders

Directives, rules or regulations issued by the President that have the effect of law

EMANCIPATION OF PROCLOMATION

Executive privileges

The President may refuse to disclose certain information to congress or the courts US VS NIXON

Presidential appointment

All appointments require a simple majority vote in the senate only

Veto

Rejection of a bill - can be overridden by a 2/3 majority of both houses

Pocket veto

Bill dies if President does not act and sign the bill - lets it sit out

Line item veto

The President can sign certain parts of a bill and reject the rest. UNCONSTITUTIONAL NOW (CLINTON VS NYC)

Treaty (senate majority ___ to approve)

Formal agreement between 2 or 3 or more nation which requires a SENATE 2/3 MAJORITY TO APPROVE

Joint resolution

Authorize the President to utilize the military in response to certain international crisis

War powers act

President can only order troops into combat if

1. Congress declares war

2. Congress has authorized the actions

3. In response to an attack on the nation or our armed forces

The spoils system

Giving out jobs to friends and supporters - not based on merit

The Pendleton Act - Civil Service Reform Act

The present day system for hiring government jobs - based on merit and not political favors