Congress: Executive Branch/Presidency

American Government Study Guide

Chief of State 

• symbolic figurehead of U.S.​

• Represents/Diplomacy ​

• Chief diplomat/Foreign policy leader​

• Hosts state dinners

• The President acts as the symbolic leader and representative of the United States, embodying the nation at home and abroad.

Chief Diplomat

The President of the United States, responsible for directing foreign policy and representing the country in international affairs.

Chief Executive

• Ensures laws are carried out & laws are implemented

Chief administrator

• Oversees 15 departments

Commander-in-Chief

• Civilian Leader of the nation’s military

• who leads and directs the U.S. armed forces.

Chief Legislator/agenda setter

• State of the Union address – agenda​

• Helps Congress prepare annual federal budget

• who proposes laws and sets the policy priorities for Congress​

Chief Party leader

• official leader of his political party​

• Party platform – important issues for which party stand ​

• Raises $$$, support for party & its members

Chief Citizen

• Figurehead of the USA

• Serving as a representative of all Americans and modeling civic responsibility.

How are the President’s roles as chief of state & foreign policy leader similar?

Both roles involve representing the United States to the world. As chief of state, the President symbolizes national unity and values; as foreign policy leader, the President shapes international relationships and speaks for the country abroad. In both, the President acts as the face of the nation globally.

Qualifications To Be President

• At least 35 years old

• Lived in the U.S. for 14 years

• Natural born citizen

President’s Term In Office:

• 4 years = 1 Term

• 2 full terms & no more than 10 yrs in office

22nd Amendment

Limits the U.S. President to two elected terms in office.

Succession Act

• Vice President (VPOTUS) - 1st in line

• VP acting president in cases of temporary illness

• 1947 - Presidential Succession Act

      - Speaker of the House - 2nd in line

1947 - Presidential Succession Act

Sets the order of who becomes President if the office is vacant, starting with the Vice President, then the Speaker of the House, and others in line.

25th Amendment

Explains how to replace the President or Vice President if they die, resign, are removed, or become unable to serve.

Presidents Salary (POTUS)

$400K a year

Vice President’s Salary (VPOTUS)

$208,100 a year

Benefits of being the President

• —Staff: chefs, butlers, doctors

• —White House

• —Health & retirement benefits

• —Special tax deductions

• —Secret Service protection

• —Air Force One

How did the current plan for presidential succesion come to be?

Shaped by the 25th Amendment (1967) and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947. These laws clarified who takes over if the President dies, resigns, or is unable to serve—starting with the Vice President, then the Speaker of the House, and so on.

Informal Qualifications for the president

• Well educated​

• Middle to upper class families​

• Christian background​

• ¾ military background​

• Recent POTUS served as governors

Personal qualities for the President

• Win support American public​

• Likeable​

• Leadership qualities​

• Persuasive/inspiring​

• Confident/charismatic​

• Work well with friends & foes​

• Effective manager​

• Clear vision​

• Calm, cool & controlled constant scrutiny

Vice President

• 3 major duties​

• Presiding over Senate​

• Opening/counting electoral votes​

• Serving as POTUS if POTUS is unable​

How has the role of vice president changed over time?​

The vice president's role has evolved from a largely ceremonial position to one with greater influence in policy, diplomacy, and executive decision-making. Modern vice presidents often serve as key advisors, lead special initiatives, and represent the administration domestically and abroad.

What are some of the personal qualities that presidents have possessed?​

Leadership, confidence, charisma, clear vision, and the ability to inspire and manage effectively.

What are the executive powers of the president?

Ordinance power, executive orders, presidential memorandum, appointment & removal powers, and executive Privilege.

Executive Power: Ordinance Power

• Formal rule/regulation

• Carries the full force of law

• A law that POTUS writes when congress is not in session, which could lead to legislative changes

Executive Power: Executive Orders

Formal rules/regulations with force of law

Executive Power: Presidential Memorandum

Carries the same force of law

Executive Power: Appointment & Removal Powers

• Advice & Consent

• Federal Judges, Cabinet Members, Top military advisors & Ambassadors.

What are the extent of & limits of a president’s right to hire & fire?

The president can hire and fire executive branch officials, but limits exist—Congress can restrict removals, and some positions require Senate approval.

What are the diplomatic & military powers of the President?

Interactions, treaties, alliance, trade, executive agreements, diplomatic recgonition, defense, security of nation, and war powers resolution.

Diplomatic Powers

• Interactions, treaties, alliance, trade

• executive agreemnts

• diplomatic recognition

Military Powers

• defense, security of nation​

• War Powers Resolution ​

• —50 U.S. Code § 1543 - Reporting requirement​

• —“the President shall submit within 48 hours to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the President pro tempore of the Senate a report, in writing, setting forth—”​

What even caused Congress to pass the War Powers Resolution in 1973?

Veitnam

Do you think the War Powers Resolution has been effective as Congress had hoped?

No, the War Powers Resolution hasn’t been fully effective—presidents often avoid its limits, and Congress struggles to enforce it.

How does the President exercise legislative & Judicial powers?

   The President exercises legislative power by signing bills into law or vetoing them, and by recommending legislation to Congress. The judicial power is exercised through appointing federal judges (including Supreme Court Justices) and granting pardons or reprieves for federal offenses.

Legislative Powers

• chief agenda setter

• Proposes Legislation

• veto power

Judicial Powers

• Two means to judicate ​

• 1. nominating federal judges​

• 2. altering sentences of people convicted of crimes​

• nominate Supreme Court justices

Legislative & Judicial Powers

• Reprieves & pardons​

• Amnesty ​

• General pardon​

• Commutation​

• Pardon, reprieves (federal crimes only)​

What is the difference between a pardon & a reprieve?

A pardon forgives a crime and removes penalties. A reprieve delays punishment but doesn’t erase the conviction.

What is meant by the term informal powers?

Powers not directly stated in Constitution

Pouts Powers

• Formal checks - courts

• Informal checks - media, public support

How is the president’s role today different from what the Framers of the Constitution envisioned?

Today’s president has far more power and visibility than the Framers envisioned. Originally, they saw the role as limited and restrained by Congress, but modern presidents lead national policy, command media attention, and act swiftly in crises, expanding executive influence beyond early expectations.

Administration

all people who work for the executive branch​

• Career employees

• Top - appointees

Executive office of the President

• President’s key personal, political staff

• Chief of staff manages

Chief of Staff

Most senior political appointee​

Chief of Staff duties:

• Primary advisor

• Manages everyday operation

• Political strategy

National Security Council

Coordinates security with top military, foreign affairs, intelligence officials

Council of Economic Advisers

Expert analysis of the economy

The OMB (office of Management & Budget)

Develops federal budget, oversees execution

What are some of the primary offices located within the Executive Office of the President?

• White House Office

• National Security Council

• Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

• Council of Economic Advisers

• Office of the Vice President

• Office of Science and Technology Policy

What duties does the U.S. Constitution assign to the vice president of the United States?​

Presiding over the Senate and succeeding the president if necessary.

What is the Cabinet, & how does it work with the president?​

• Organization of heads of executive departments – secretaries​

• responsible for carrying out laws, administering programs, making regulations​

Who becomes President if the President dies in Office? List the line of succession:

• If the President dies in office, the Vice President immediately becomes President.

• Vice President

• Speaker of the House of Representatives

• President Pro Tempore of the Senate

• Secretary of State

What executive powers can the president use?

Enforcing laws, issuing executive orders, commanding the military, conducting foreign policy, and appointing officials.