Unit 4 Executive

22nd Amendment  says that president is limited to two terms (four years each) No one shall be president more than twice  This amendment was meant to limit the re-election of powerful presidents 

25th Amendment  says that if the president can't do his duties, can invoke the 25th amendment & the next in line to succession can become acting president  says VP position must be filled when there is  a vacancy  VP & cabinet members can submit that pres is unable to do the job as well 

President has the power to:  execute, or carry out, the law Power to issue Executive orders: a directive, rule, or regulation that has the effect of a law  The power to issue these orders. called Ordinance power arises from the constitution and acts of Congress  Power of appointment--> can appoint : Ambassadors/ other diplomats cabinet members/aides heads of independent agencies (EPA, NASA)  All federal judges, U.S marshals, attorneys  officers in military  Removal Power: the president has the power to remove from appointed offices  President has certain powers only she/ he can use  Power to make treaties( a formal agreement between 2 or more sovereign states)  must be approved by 2/3 majority of Senate  Power to make executive agreements: a pact between the President the head of a foreign state  Executive agreements do not have to be approved by Congress  Power if recognition: to acknowledge the legal existence of another state and its govt Power of making undeclared war: President can send troops overseas per war Power Resolution of 1973  

Unofficial Powers  Presidents have historically claimed the right to executive privilege: that presidents have the right to refuse to disclose certain information  A controversial power  Line-Item-veto: it's been suggested that the president should have the ability to veto portions of the bill they do not like and approve others 

Powers of the president over offenders  Pardon: release from the punishment or legal consequences of a crime, by the president (in a federal case) or a governor(in a state case)  Reprive: an official postponement of the execution of a sentence  Clemency: mercy or leniency granted to an offender by a chief executive  Commutation: the power to reduce (commute) the length of a sentence or a fine for a crime  Amnesty: the power to offer " blanket" pardon to a group of offenders 

The Federal Bureaucracy consists of the roughly 500 departments, agencies, administration, authorities, and commissions that carry out responsibilities assigned to them through congressional legislation.  Federal Govt. is designed as a way to organize people to do work  found in large organizations  built as a pyramid with a top-down chain of command 

Independent agencies: Congress has created a number of independent agencies to help administer various parts of the govt's power  Not subject to direct control by President  ex. Federal Election Commission  Executive Agencies: agencies that belong to the executive branch and are considered to be made up of public servants.  subject to direct control of President  ex. Federal Bureau of Investigation

The Cabinet heads are appointed by the president & confirmed by Senate   become the secretaries of the executive departments: state, labor, defense, interior, education, agriculture, transportation, ETC. 

The state department's primary function is to advise the president on foreign policy matters and to represent the united states abroad.  The Department of Homeland Security; Their primary function is to provide border security and emergency responses to help protect our nation's infrastructure  The Department of Treasury is responsible for managing public debt, collecting taxes and producing money, such as coins and bills  The Department of Defense(DOD); they are responsible for protecting the country's national security and deterring war through the use of our military forces.  The department of justice(DOJ); this department helps enforce federal laws and prosecutes those that are accused of violating federal law. Title: Attorney General 

used to be that federal jobs were given based on the spoil system: where politicians awarded offices and other favors of government to friends and supporters  Now it has been replaced  U.S office of personnel management now oversees screening& the hiring process of civil servants  Federal employees now earn their jobs by applying for and taking the Civil service exam: an examination that determines aptitude for federal positions