Executive Branch

Article II

Section of Constitution that lays out roles and powers of the Executive Branch

22nd Amendment

Amendment that limits presidents to two full terms

Requirements to hold office

• Native born

• 35 years old

• 14 year resident of U.S.

Roles of Executive Branch

• Chief Executive

• Commander in Chief

• Chief Legislator

• Chief Diplomat

• Chief of State

• Party Leader

Chief Executive

Enforces and carries out the Constitution and federal laws

Commander in Chief

civilian head of military forces

Chief Legislator

influences and acts on legislation

Chief Diplomat

foreign policy leader

Chief of State

represents the country in ceremonies—humanizing

Party Leader

guides and helps their political party

Executive Privilege

does not have to release information pertaining to the executive branch

Executive Orders

directives issued by the President that has the force of law

War Powers Act (1973)

limited power of the executive branch by setting a 60 day limit on sending troops into a hostile situation without the approval of Congress

judicial branch checks on executive branch?

SCOTUS can declare presidential actions unconstitutional 

legislative branch checks on executive branch?

• Senate must approve appointments

• Congress can impeach

US v Nixon

limits on executive privilege

25th Amendment

clarifies presidential succession

cabinet

group of presidential advisors, heads of 15 executive departments, appointed by the president and approved by the Senate

Independent Agencies

agencies created by Congress—independent of the Cabinet and president

Federal bureaucracy

agencies, departments and people who make up the government

Civil Service System

people in the federal bureaucracy are hired based on their qualifications

Pardon

clemency power that removes both the sentence and conviction, absolving the convict from punishments and disqualifications

Commutation

clemency power that replaces one form of punishment for a lighter form

Remission

clemency power that reduces sentence length without changing its harshness

Respite

clemency power that awards a lesser sentence in place of the original sentence i.e. because of the pregnancy of a woman

Reprieve

clemency power that delays the executive of a sentence—particularly death—for a time

what needs to happen for a treaty to become approved?

2/3 senate vote

Bully pulpit

President can strongly recommend/pressure Congress into passing certain laws

why has power of the executive branch increased?

• expansion of size of government (independent agencies)

• war (Commander in Chief)

• Informal powers (executive orders and privilege)