Chapter 6 The Executive Branch

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON1

CIVICS IN PRACTICEHOLT

Chapter 6

The Executive BranchSection 1: The PresidencySection 2: Powers and Roles of the PresidentSection 3: Executive Departments and the CabinetSection 4:

Independent Agencies and Regulatory Commissions



Section 1: The Presidency

The Main IdeaThe president and the vice president are required to

have certain qualifications.

Reading Focus What are the qualifications and terms of office for

the presidency? What are the duties of the vice president? What are the rules of succession for the presidency?



Qualifications for the presidency:

Native-born U.S. citizen At least 35 years of age A resident of the United States for at least 14

years




Terms of office:

Four-year term and may be elected to a second term

Salary of $400,000 per year plus $50,000 nontaxable allowance




Duties and terms of office of the vice president: Takes over if the president dies, resigns, or is

removed from office Presides over the Senate Must meet the same constitutional qualifications

as the president Salary of $227,300 per year plus $10,000 taxable

allowance




The order of presidential succession:

The vice president The Speaker of the House The president pro tempore of the Senate Members of the president’s cabinet in the

order in which their departments were created




Question: What are the term of office and the duties of the vice president?

four years

SECTION 1

Vice President

four years preside over the Senate remain prepared to assume presidency help presidential candidate get elected

Term of Office Duties



The Main IdeaThe powers and roles of the U.S. president affect

not only the citizens of the United States but also people throughout the world.

Reading Focus What are some of the leadership roles of the

president? What powers does the president have?

Section 2: Powers and Roles of the President



The President and the Legislative Process

Recommends laws to Congress in speeches, writing, or through State of the Union Address

Sends Congress an economic message Influences legislation with veto power




Congress and the Commander in Chief

Only Congress can declare war. The president has the power to send troops

into foreign lands. 1973—War Powers Act: requires troops to be

recalled within 60 days unless approved by Congress to stay longer




President’s duties as foreign-policy leader and chief of state: Appoints officials to represent the United States abroad Travels to foreign nations to meet with leaders and

representatives of other countries Serves as the nation’s chief diplomat and assumes final

responsibility for treaties Symbolizes the United States and its people Performs ceremonial duties




Question: What are the duties of the president as foreign-policy leader and chief of state?

SECTION 2

President’s Duties as Foreign Policy Leader and Chief of State

President’s Duties as Foreign Policy Leader and Chief of State

travel abroad to meet with foreign leaders

secure friendly relations with foreign governments preserve the security of the United States appoint officials to represent the United States in

foreign countries meet with leaders of foreign countries

assume responsibility for treaties with foreigncountries



Section 3: Executive Departments and the CabinetThe Main Idea

The executive branch of the U.S. government is divided into several departments, each of which has certain

duties.

Reading Focus What is the Executive Office of the President, and

what is the cabinet? What are the purposes of the Department of State

and the Department of Defense? What are the other executive departments in the

federal government?



The Executive Office of the President Established in 1939 and reorganized by each

president Contains agencies and offices that advise the

president on current issues The White House Office keeps the presidential

schedule, writes speeches, and maintains relations with Congress, the press, and the public.

Section 3: Executive Departments and the Cabinet



The 15 executive departments work to improve life for all Americans.

Department of: Agriculture (USDA) Commerce (DOC) Defense (DOD) Education (ED) Energy (DOE) Health and Human Services (HHS) Homeland Security (DHS)*

* newest executive department

Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Justice (DOJ) Labor (DOL) State (DOS) Interior (DOI) Treasury Transportation (DOT) Veterans Affairs (VA)

Section 3: Executive Departments and the Cabinet



Question: What are the fourteen department secretaries included in the president’s cabinet?

SECTION 3

Cabinet MembersSecretary of State

Secretary of Treasury

Attorney General

Secretary of the Interior

Secretary of Agriculture

Secretary of Commerce

Secretary of Labor

Secretary of Defense

Secretary of Health and Human Services

Secretary of Housing and Urban

Development

Secretary of Transportation

Secretary of Energy

Secretary of Education

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Secretary of Homeland Security



The Main Idea The Independent Agencies and Regulatory

Commissions of the U.S. government perform specialized duties.

Reading Focus What are some examples of independent agencies,

and what duties do they perform? What are regulatory commissions, and who runs

them? What makes up the federal bureaucracy?

Section 4: Independent Agencies and Regulatory Commissions



Independent Agencies Perform specialized duties that do not fit into regular

departments Some serve all of the departments and some assist

the work of the entire government. Examples:

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Farm Credit Administration Small Business Administration National Aeronautics and Space Administration




Regulatory Commissions

Independent agencies make rules and bring violators to court.

Commission heads are appointed by the president and approved by Congress to serve long terms.

Commissions are independent in order to freely do their jobs.




Regulatory Commissions (continued)

Examples: Federal Election Commission Consumer Product Safety Commission Securities and Exchange Commission National Labor Relations Board




The Federal Bureaucracy

Formed by the departments and agencies of the executive branch

Almost 3 million workers Operates under heavy rules and regulations

that create “red tape” but allow the executive branch to function




Question: What are some of the independent agencies and regulatory commissions of the federal government?

SECTION 4

Commission on Civil RightsFarm Credit Administration

Federal Election CommissionConsumer Product Safety CommissionSecurities and Exchange Commission

National Labor Relations BoardNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

Small Business AdministrationOffice of Personnel ManagementGeneral Services Administration

Independent Agencies

Regulatory Commissions



Chapter 6 Wrap-Up1. What is the vice president’s role in the government?2. What limitation did the Twenty-second Amendment

place on the terms of the presidency?3. What is the purpose of the State of the Union Address?4. How does the president participate in the legislative

process?5. How does the Executive Office of the President serve

the president?6. What other position do the executive department

heads hold?7. Why are the independent agencies separate from the

executive departments?

Documents

Chapter 6 The Executive Branch