Professional Documents
Culture Documents
…and Rednecks.
…and poor.
Nixon (37)
Qualifications for Office
(from Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution)
(Same requirements for V.P.)
35 years old minimum age
Must have been born in the U.S.
U.S. Citizen
Live in the U.S. for last 14 years
After retirement: Free office space, $96,000 for office help, free
mailing service, bodyguards (though fewer than while in office)
- vetoes bills
Executive Order v. Law
Executive Order – President may give orders to anyone in
the Executive Branch. It does NOT require Congress to
approve or pass. It’s a rule, issued by the President, that has
the force of law
Law – Must be passed by both houses of Congress, but can
affect the whole country and apply to everyone.
Executive Agreement v. Treaty
Executive Agreement – President may make deals concerning
only Executive Branch agencies and personnel with the leader
of another government. It does NOT require the Senate’s
consent or approval.
Treaty – An agreement made between our country and another.
It affects more than the Executive Branch and does require the
Senate’s approval.
Mandate
- orders from one party to another; or
- the expressed will of the people
- What sort of things have Presidents and Congressmen done
claiming they had “a mandate from the people”?
Executive Privilege
- President does not have to share information (e-mail,
letters, phone conversations, or testimony) with Congress
- President immune to arrest or lawsuit while in office
- How might a President potentially abuse this privilege?
The Vice-President
Replaces the President in case of vacancy
President of the Senate (breaks tie votes only)
Advisor (cabinet member) to the President
1. Executive Departments
- Lead by Cabinet Level Department Secretary
Department of State
- Handles relations with foreign governments
- Staffs Embassies around the world
- A U.S. Embassy is the official residence of
a U.S. Ambassador in a foreign country and
is considered sovereign U.S. territory
- U.S. Embassies are guarded by the U.S.
Marine Corps
Tim Geithner
Secretary of the Treasury
Department of Defense
- In charge of the Army, Navy and Marines, and Air Force,
and in time of war, the Coast Guard
- Each Service Branch has its own Department under the
DoD, except the Marine Corps, which is part of the Navy
Department
HUD Secretary
Shaun Donovan
Department of Transportation
- Regulate our transportation system (airports, harbors,
highways, railways)
- Operates the National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the
Maritime Administration, and the Federal Highway
Administration
Secretary of Education
Arne Duncan
Department of Veterans Affairs
- Cares for our country’s veterans, administers
veterans’ health care and death benefits
(Whew!)