The Executive Branch

The Executive Branch

The President and Vice President - Requirements

• Natural-born citizen of the US

• At least 35 years of age

• Residents of the US for at least 14 years before taking office

Electing the President

• The Electoral College chooses the president

• Number of electors from each state = number of senators and representatives

• The president takes office on January 20 in the year following the November election

• At the inauguration, the new president promises to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution."

Open Ended

Why do you think there is so much time between the November election and the January inauguration of the new president?

The Cabinet

• 15 Executive Departments

• President chooses leaders of each department

• The Senate has to confirm each presidential nominee

Multiple Choice

When the Senate confirms or denies a presidential nominee for leader of each executive department this is an example of what?

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Democracy

25th Amendment

• In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

• Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

25th Amendment

• Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

• 
  

25th Amendment

• Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

  
  

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

Open Ended

The 25th Amendment has been brought up by the Speaker of the House. Should the 25th Amendment be used at this time? Why or Why not?