U. S. Government/U. S. Branches/Executive Branch

1. The powers and responsibilities of the executive branch is found in Article 2 of the Constitution.
2. The executive branch is headed by the president of the United States, the chief executive officer of the nation.

Powers of the Executive Branch

• Executes the law of the land.
• Prepare the annual budget for congressional actions.
• Appoint cabinet officers, ambassadors, and federal judges.
• Administers the federal bureaucracy.

In What Ways Does the Executive Branch Influence Policy making?

1. Propose legislation in an annual speech to Congress. This is the State of the Union Address.
2. Appeal directly to the people to push for legislation.
3. Approve or veto legislation.
4. Appoint officials who interpret and execute the laws. These appointed officials make up the Judicial Branch, agencies, and regulatory groups.

President's Roles

Chief of State

1. Ceremonial head of the government.

Chief Executive

1. Carries out laws
2. Issues executive orders
3. Appoint Officials who are then approved by the Senate
4. Head of large bureaucracy

Chief Legislature

1. Ask Senators and Representatives to sponsor bills
2. Gives State of the Union Address
3. Sign/Veto Bills
4. Propose the annual budget
5. Calls special sessions of Congress

Commander-in-Chief

1. Has final responsibility for the military
2. The War Act allows the President to send troops into combat for 60 days WITHOUT Congress approval

Chief Diplomat

1. Deals with foreign countries
2. Appoints ambassadors.
3. Makes treaties which are then approved by the senate
4. Makes executive agreements with other countries that do NOT need Senate approval

Chief of Party

1. Supports party members in Elections
2. Gives jobs to party supporters, also known as patronage.

Chief Citizen

1. Representative of the people.

See also

• For a vocab list, see here
• U. S. Government/U. S. Branches/Executive Branch/Separation of Powers