Article II

The Executive Branch

Recent Presidents

• 2009-Present– Barack Obama

• 2001-2009– George W. Bush

• 1993-2001– Bill Clinton

• 1989-1993– George H. W. Bush

• 1981-1989– Ronald Reagan

Who can be President?

Who can be President?

• Minimum Age is ?– 35

• Can he/she be a naturalized citizen?– No. The President must be a native-born citizen of USA

• How long does the candidate have to be a resident of the United States?– 14 years

• How long is the Presidential term in length?– 4 years

What are the President’s Duties

• Chief Executive– Makes sure laws are enforced– Appoints important officials– Grants reprieves and pardons– Issues Executive Orders– Oversees over 150 departments through his

Cabinet

What are the President’s Duties

• Commander-in-Chief– Head of all military forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines

• Chief Diplomat– leader, initiator, and guide of our foreign policy– negotiates treaties or agreements with other countries

• Legislative Leader– Recommends laws to Congress– Signs bills into laws or vetoes – State of the Union address

• Chief of State– symbolic leader of our country

President has to work with Congress

• Senate– Must approve all treaties by 2/3 vote– Must approve all Cabinet and Agency head

positions by simple majority– Must approve Supreme Court nominations

President has to work with Congress

• Checks and Balances– House of Representatives may bring up

impeachment charges– Senate may try and convict the President of

impeachment and have him removed– Senate and House may override a Presidential

veto by 2/3 vote

Presidential Elections

• Electoral College• 12th Amendment– Required presidential electors to vote separately

for president and vice president• 22th Amendment– Passed in 1951, the amendment that limits

presidents to two terms of office

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