The Executive Branch of the Federal Government has two elected positions
∎ President ∎ Vice President
Other Appointed Offices Serve the Executive Branch —
∎ Members of the Cabinet ∎ Members of the Executive Office of the President
PRESIDENT The Federal Executive Branch is led by the President
How often is the President elected?
The President is elected to a four-year term, and is limited to two terms (which need
not be consecutive) by the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution. Election of the President
occurs via the Electoral College, with provisions for selection by the House of Representatives should
no candidate receive a majority of the Electoral College vote.
The next Election occurs in Nov. 2028
What are the requirements to serve as President?
Must be a US citizen, born in the United States
Must be at least 35 years of age
Must have lived in the US for at least 14 years.
What are the President’s authorities and responsibilities?
Serves as Head of State of the US.
Signs or vetoes legislation passed by Congress, a 2/3 majority in both houses of Congress can override a Presidential veto.
Is responsible for execution and enforcement of laws passed by Congress.
Supervises federal cabinet departments and agencies that execute policies authorized by Congress
Appoints cabinet secretaries, with the advice and consent of the Senate, as well as leaders of numerous Independent federal commissions.
Appoints Ambassadors, with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Appoints Justices of the US Supreme Court, with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Acts as Commander-in-Chief of the US armed forces.
Supervises the negotiation of international treaties, which are then submitted to Congress for approval.
Is empowered to issue Executive Orders in some circumstances.
Submits a proposed annual budget for modification and approval by Congress.
Reports annually to Congress on the State of the Union
What is not a Presidential authority?
A PRESIDENT CANNOT . . .
decide how federal money will be spent
declare war
make laws
interpret laws
create or dissolve a Cabinet Department
choose Cabinet members or
Supreme Court Justices without Senate approval
What is the Cabinet ?
Congressional action is required to create Executive Branch departments, to fund them, to determine the nature and scope of their duties and to confirm the appointment of their top leaders.
The Cabinet’s role is to advise the President on any subject he or she may require relating to the duties of each member’s respective office.
The cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of the 15 executive departments.
Cabinet members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The members of the Cabinet run the major federal agencies
Play an important role in the Presidential line of succession — after the Vice President, Speaker of the House, and Senate President pro tempore, the line of succession continues with the Cabinet offices in the order in which the departments were created.
All the members of the Cabinet take the title Secretary, excepting the head of the Justice Department, who is the Attorney General.
What is the Executive Office of the President?
The Executive Office of the President (EOP) is not the same as the Cabinet. It was created in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The EOP serves the President’s administration by being responsible responsibility for tasks ranging from communicating the President’s message to the American people to promoting our trade interests abroad.
Senate confirmation is required for some advisers, such as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, most are appointed with full Presidential discretion. The individual offices that these advisors oversee have grown in size and number since the EOP was created. Some were formed by Congress, others as the President has needed them — they are constantly shifting as each President identifies his or her needs and priorities.
VICE PRESIDENT
How often is the Vice President elected?
The Vice President is elected together with the President, as part of a combined national ticket. As with the President, election of the Vice President is via the Electoral College.
How is a Vice President chosen as a running mate for the Democratic Party’s Presidential Candidate?
The vice presidential candidate is formally selected by the party’s nominating convention, following the selection of the party’s presidential candidate. In recent years, the selection of a vice presidential candidate is often announced prior to the actual convention balloting for the presidential candidate, and sometimes before the beginning of the convention itself.
What are the requirements to serve as Vice President?
Must be a US citizen, born in the United States.
Must be at least 35 years of age.
Must have lived in the US for at least 14 years.
What are the Vice President’s authorities and responsibilities?
The Vice President assumes the authorities and responsibilities of the Presidency in the event of the incapacity of the President, and in the event of the death of the President, is inaugurated as the President’s immediate successor.
The Vice President also serves as President of the Senate, and in that role is empowered to cast a vote to resolve a tie, if necessary.
If called upon by the President, the Vice President may also be tasked with various assignments within the scope of the Executive Branch.
Most modern vice presidents serve as a key presidential advisor, governing partner, and representative of the president.