Jonah Patel
The executive branch of the US government is made up of the President, the Vice President, and the people who work for them. The President is the head of state, the leader of the federal government, and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. They are responsible for enforcing the laws written by Congress and appointing the heads of federal agencies, including the Cabinet. The Vice President supports the President and assumes the role of President if the President is unable to serve. The Cabinet is an advisory body made up of the heads of 15 executive departments, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The executive branch also includes executive departments, independent agencies, and other boards, commissions, and committees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Head of the branch | President of the United States |
| Head of state | President |
| Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces | President |
| Leader of the federal government | President |
| Vice President | |
| Cabinet members | Advisors to the President |
| Number of employees | More than 4 million Americans |
| Departments | 15 executive departments |
| Agencies | CIA, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense, Social Security Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Housing and Urban Development, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
The President of the United States
The President is elected by US citizens over the age of 18 and serves a four-year term, with a maximum of two terms. The President appoints the members of their Cabinet, who are the heads of the 15 executive departments. The Cabinet is an advisory body and its members are often the President's closest confidants. The President also appoints the heads of more than 50 independent federal commissions, such as the Federal Reserve Board, as well as federal judges, ambassadors, and other federal officials.
The President has the power to issue executive orders, which are directives regarding the management and operation of the federal government. These executive orders have the force of law and can be amended, revoked, or superseded. They are published in the Federal Register, the daily publication of the executive branch. The President also has the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
The President is responsible for conducting diplomacy with other nations and can negotiate and sign treaties, which must be ratified by two-thirds of the Senate. They also have the power to convene both houses of Congress and receive ambassadors and other public ministers.
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The Vice President
In the line of succession, the Vice President is followed by the Speaker of the House and the Senate President pro tempore. This highlights the critical role that the Vice President plays in the continuity of government and their proximity to the Presidency. The Vice President's role is not merely symbolic but carries significant weight within the Executive Branch and the federal government as a whole.
While the Vice President does not have the same level of authority as the President, their position demands a high level of responsibility and preparedness. They must be ready to step into the role of Commander-in-Chief and leader of the Executive Branch at a moment's notice, requiring a deep understanding of the duties and powers associated with the Presidency.
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The Cabinet
The President chooses the members of the Cabinet to help with their duties. The President is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress and appoints the heads of federal agencies, including the Cabinet.
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Federal agencies
The Executive Branch of the US government is made up of the President, the Vice President, and the people who work for them. The President is the head of state, the leader of the federal government, and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress and has the power to appoint the heads of federal agencies, including the Cabinet.
The Cabinet is an advisory body made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments, such as the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Social Security Administration, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The members of the Cabinet are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They play a crucial role in the day-to-day administration of the federal government and are often the President's closest confidants.
In addition to the 15 executive departments, there are also other executive agencies, such as the CIA, that are under the full authority of the President. The President appoints the heads of these agencies, who are not part of the Cabinet. The President also appoints the heads of more than 50 independent federal commissions, such as the Federal Reserve Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is another example of a federal agency. HUD is responsible for national policies and programs that address housing needs, improve communities, and enforce fair housing laws. They also support homeownership for lower- and middle-income families through mortgage insurance and rent subsidy programs.
The Executive Branch also includes the staff who work directly for the President, such as the press secretary, speechwriters, and policy aides, as well as the heads of White House Offices and Agencies.
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Executive departments
The Executive Branch is one of three branches of the US government, alongside the legislative and judicial branches. It is made up of the President, the Vice President, and the people who work for them. The President is the head of state, the leader of the federal government, and the Commander-in-Chief of the US armed forces.
The Executive Branch also includes executive departments, independent agencies, and other boards, commissions, and committees. There are 15 executive departments, each led by an appointed member of the President's Cabinet. The Cabinet is an advisory body made up of the heads of these 15 executive departments. They are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and they play an important role in the Presidential line of succession. All members of the Cabinet take the title of Secretary, except for the head of the Justice Department, who is called the Attorney General.
The 15 executive departments are joined by other executive agencies such as the CIA and the Environmental Protection Agency, whose leaders are under the full authority of the President. The President also appoints the heads of more than 50 independent federal commissions, such as the Federal Reserve Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for example, is a federal agency responsible for national policies and programs that address America's housing needs, improve and develop communities, and enforce fair housing laws. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is another example of an executive department. It was established in 2002 in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks and consolidated 22 executive branch agencies, including the US Customs Service, the US Coast Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS employs 216,000 people and is responsible for patrolling borders, protecting travelers and transportation infrastructure, enforcing immigration laws, and responding to disasters and emergencies.
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Frequently asked questions
The executive branch is made up of the President, the Vice President, and the people who work for them. The President is the head of state and leader of the federal government, and the Vice President supports the President and assumes the role of President if the President is unable to serve.
The Cabinet is also part of the executive branch. The Cabinet is an advisory body made up of the heads of 15 executive departments, appointed by the President.
The executive branch is responsible for the day-to-day administration and enforcement of federal laws. The President executes and enforces the laws created by Congress.
Examples of executive departments include the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
