Key Facts
- Who
- The President, Vice President, Cabinet, and federal agencies
- Term
- 4 years, maximum 2 terms (22nd Amendment).
About the Executive Branch
The Executive Branch carries out and enforces the laws passed by Congress. Headed by the President, it includes the Vice President, the Cabinet (heads of 15 executive departments), and hundreds of federal agencies.
Key Powers
- Sign or veto legislation
- Command the armed forces
- Issue executive orders
- Negotiate treaties
- Appoint federal judges
- Appoint Cabinet secretaries
- Grant pardons for federal crimes
- Deliver the State of the Union
- Call special sessions of Congress
Checks and Balances
How the Executive Branch checks the others:
→ LegislativeVeto legislation, call special sessions, recommend legislation
→ JudicialNominate federal judges, grant pardons
How the other branches check the Executive:
Legislative →Override vetoes (2/3 vote), control funding, confirm appointments, impeach the president
Judicial →Declare executive actions unconstitutional, issue injunctions