The Executive Power. Read the text and answer the following questions:

Text 11

Read the text and answer the following questions:

1. What parts does the executive branch consist of?

2. How many executive departments does the Cabinet consist of?

3. Who may become the President?

4. How is the President elected?

5. What are the duties of the president?

The executive branch of the government consists of the President, the Vice-President and the Cabinet. It is the largest branch of the federal government that puts the country’s laws into effect. The President of the United States is the head of the executive branch of the government, he appoints the members of the Cabinet. The Cabinet advises the president on many matters and is composed of the heads of 15 executive departments: Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defence and others. The President must be a natural- born citizen, at least 35 years old, and have been a resident of the USA for at least fourteen years. He is elected separately from Congress and cannot be removed from office by a vote of no-confidence. According to the Constitution a president’s office is limited to two terms of 4 years each. It also describes how a president can be removed from office (impeachment procedure). The President can be impeached if he commits crimes in office. To be removed from office, a majority of the House of Representatives and two thirds of the Senate must approve. The Vice-President of the United States serves as the President of the Senate. He cannot take part in the debates. He can vote only if the two opposing sites have equal votes. It is called a tie. In this case the President of the Senate casts the deciding vote.

Presidential duties are stated in the Constitution, delegated by Congress, or the result of circumstances. The most important extra-constitutional duties are acting as chief of state and party leader. The President became the national leader of his party as parties developed into the organizers of the nation’s political life and the presidency became increasingly powerful.

The Constitution names the President as commander in chief, making him the highest ranking officer in the armed services, but gives Congress the power to declare war.

The President often proposes legislation to Congress. The President can also forbid any bill passed by Congress. The veto can be overridden by a two thirds vote in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The President has the authority to appoint federal judges as vacancies occur, including the members of the Supreme Court. All such court appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The President is not the only person with power. In the Constitution there is a system of balances. The Congress, the Supreme Court and the President all have power. Each of them limits, or balances, the power of others.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-26