The Executive Branch CHAPTER 8

Transcription

1 The Executive Branch ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What is required of leaders? Why do nations interact with each other? netw rks There s More Online about the executive branch. CHAPTER 8 Lesson 1 The President and Vice President Lesson2 The President s Powers and Roles Lesson 3 Making Foreign Policy Lesson 4 How the Executive Branch Works The Story Matters In 2008 Americans made history by electing Barack Obama as the 44th president and the first African American to hold the office. Before becoming president, Obama served as an Illinois state senator and as a U.S. senator from Illinois. Obama s father was from Kenya and his mother was American. He grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia. After attending college in California and New York, he worked to improve life in poor Chicago communities. He later became a civil rights lawyer and a law professor before running for the Illinois Senate. When he became president, Obama brought a unique and varied set of skills and experiences to this difficult job. As president, President Obama is leader of not only the Democratic Party, but the nation as a whole. PHOTO: Brooks Kraft/Corbis 223

2 CHAPTER 8 The Executive Branch Real-Life Civics NGSSS covered in Real-Life Civics Students will understand the following benchmark from the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. SS.7.C.3.8 Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. LA The student will determine the main idea or essential message in grade-level or higher texts through inferring, paraphrasing, summarizing, and identifying relevant details. NOW One of any president s most challenging jobs is the role of commander in chief of our nation s military forces. President Obama entered office with wars raging in Iraq and Afghanistan. He had little prior experience with military affairs. But even presidents with military backgrounds must rely on military analysts and advisers, as well as American uniformed officers, to help shape policy and carry out their orders. As commander in chief, President Obama travels to war zones to speak with generals and soldiers. At home he visits military hospitals to talk with wounded soldiers and meets with families whose relatives have died while serving in the armed forces. President Obama receives a fist bump greeting from a U.S. soldier as he visits with troops at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq. 224 The Executive Branch

3 PHOTO: Pete Souza/White House via Getty Images PHOTO: Washington Reviewing the Western Army at Fort Cumberland, Maryland; after 1795 (oil on canvas), Frederick Kemmelmeyer (d.1821) (attr. to)/metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA/Giraudon/The Bridgeman Art Library President Washington reviews the troops at Fort Cumberland in Maryland. THEN The nation s first commander in chief was George Washington. For most of his presidency, Washington overcame threats to peace and security through diplomacy and persuasion. In 1789, however, Washington called on several governors to send troops from their state militias. He assembled an army of 13,000 soldiers to stop the Whiskey Rebellion, a protest by Pennsylvania farmers against a tax on whiskey. He took direct command of the troops. The arrival of this force in western Pennsylvania, led by the hero of the American Revolution, quickly ended the uprising. The last president to lead troops in battle was James Madison. His efforts to defend Washington, D.C., were not as successful. British troops burned the capital in Since then, presidents have focused on setting broad policy goals while leaving the actual fighting to those in the military. CIVIC LITERACY Analyzing Do you think President Obama has the same goals and duties as commander in chief as did President Washington? Explain. Your Opinion What do you think is the hardest part of the president s role as commander in chief? Why? 225

4 netw rks There s More Online! GRAPHIC ORGANIZER WA 11 OR 7 A 5 The President: Requirements and Characteristics MT 3 ID 4 NV 5 ND 3 WY 3 UT 5 AZ 10 MN 10 SD 3 CO 9 KS 6 OK 7 TX 34 NY 31 MI 17 PA 21 IL IN OH WV MO 5 VA KY 8 NC 15 TN 11 AR SC 6 GA 8 MS AL 15 9 LA 6 9 FL 27 IA 7 NE 5 NM 5 NH 4 VT 3 WI 10 N D M D MAP Election 2008 Electoral Results CHART Presidential Succession Lesson 1 The President and Vice President ESSENTIAL QUESTION What is required of leaders? It Matters Because The president and vice president are the only leaders elected by the entire nation. SS.7.C.3.3 Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution. SS.7.C.3.8 Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. LA The student will use new vocabulary that is introduced and taught directly. LA The student will determine the main idea or essential message in grade-level or higher texts through inferring, paraphrasing, summarizing, and identifying relevant details. Office of the President GUIDING QUESTION How does a citizen become president? Would you want to be a U.S. president some day? You would have great power and heavy responsibility. The president heads the executive branch of the national government. He or she bears the chief burden for protecting the nation and its more than 310 million people. Many Americans look to the president as the person to take the lead in solving the nation s problems. Because of the power and global influence of the United States, the president may hold the most important job in the world. The U.S. Constitution lists only three rules for being president. A president must be at least 35 years old. He or she must be a native-born American citizen. He or she must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. Characteristics of Presidents Reading HELP DESK Almost all our presidents have shared similar characteristics, or features. So far, each has been male. All but one have been Protestant Christians. Most have had a college education. Many were lawyers. Most came from states with large populations. Taking Notes: Describing LA As you read, create a graphic organizer listing the requirements for becoming president and the characteristics of persons who have held the office. 226 The Executive Branch Content Vocabulary The President Requirements elector Characteristics PHOTO: (tcl) Getty Images; (tcr) Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images; (tr) Eric Draper/The White House via Getty Image NGSSS covered in Office of the President

5 In the past 60 years, a wider group of Americans have had a chance to be elected to the nation s highest offices. In 1960, John F. Kennedy became the first Roman Catholic elected as president. In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected president. In addition, two women have run for vice president on a major-party ticket. They were Geraldine Ferraro, who ran as a Democrat in 1984, and Sarah Palin, who ran as a Republican in Neither Ferraro nor Palin was elected. In 2000 Joseph Lieberman was the first Jewish candidate for vice president. Lieberman also lost. Florida CONNECTION Florida s Electoral Votes Florida, with a population of 18,537,969, has 27 electoral votes. That tally ranks it fourth among states. Electing a President Every four years, the nation elects a president. The elections take place in years that can be divided by the number four. For example, 2004, 2008, and 2012 are all election years. It may surprise you to learn that the president is not chosen directly by voters. Instead, he or she is elected by a group called the Electoral College. Each state and the District of Columbia have a certain number of electors. The number of electoral votes is equal to the total number of senators and representatives a state has. The District of Columbia also has three of them. As a result, there are 538 members of the Electoral College. ELECTION 2008 ELECTORAL RESULTS ELECTORAL VOTE TOTAL: 538 WA 11 OR 7 AK 3 CA 55 MT 3 ID 4 NV 5 ND 3 WY 3 UT 5 AZ 10 CO 9 SD 3 KS 6 OK 7 TX 34 WI 10 MI 17 NY 31 PA 21 IL IN OH WV MO 5 VA KY 8 NC 15 TN 11 AR SC 6 GA 8 MS AL 15 9 LA 6 9 FL 27 IA 7 NE 5 NM 5 HI 4 MN 10 NH 4 ME VT 3 4 GEOGRAPHY CONNECTION The popular vote is the number of voters who cast their ballots for a particular candidate for president. The electoral vote is the number of votes each candidate receives from electors. 32.2% % 365 MA 12 RI 4 POPULAR VOTE CT 7 TOTAL: 131,463,122 NJ % DE 3 2,013, % MD 10 69,499,428 DC % 59,950,323 Obama (Democrat) McCain (Republican) Other * Numbers on map show electoral votes per state. SOURCE: CRITICAL THINKING 1 LOCATION Which five states have the most electoral votes? Which candidate received their electoral votes? 2 Making Generalizations What generalizations can you make about Republican and Democratic support from this map? elector person appointed to vote in presidential elections for president or vice president Lesson 1 227

6 President Franklin Roosevelt waves to onlookers after being sworn in for a third term in office. SS.7.C.3.8 CRITICAL THINKING Assessing Do you think term limits are necessary? Explain your reasoning. Reading HELPDESK The method for selecting electors varies. In most states, the political parties nominate electors at their state party conventions or by committee. Electors almost always vote for their party s candidate. On the day of the general election in November, the voters in each state choose the electors. In some states, the ballot displays, or shows, electors names below the name of the candidates running for president. In other states, only the names of the candidates appear. A vote for the candidate is really a vote for the electors. The electors actually elect the president. Most states give their electoral votes using a rule of winnertake-all. In this method, the candidate who wins the most popular votes in the state gets all of its electoral votes. This is true even if the candidate wins by only a small margin. As a result, a change in a small number of votes can make a big difference. In the election of 2000, for instance, one candidate or the other won six states by fewer than 10,000 votes each. Two of those states, worth 30 electoral votes, were won by fewer than 600 votes. To win the election, a candidate must win more than half of the 538 electoral votes. This means the winner must have at least 270 votes. In a very close election, a few small states can decide the outcome, or result. The 2000 election was won by Republican George W. Bush by only five electoral votes. A different result in any one of 13 states with 10 electoral votes or fewer would have changed the outcome of the election. It is possible for no candidate to win a majority of electoral votes. In that case, the House of Representatives chooses the president. This has happened twice in history in 1800 and in If the House votes, each state has only one vote. The winning candidate is usually known on the same evening that the popular election takes place. However, the result is not official until the Electoral College votes. That does not take place until December. The electors meet in each state capital to cast their ballots. The following January, Congress counts the electoral votes. At that time, a candidate is officially declared winner of the election. Term of Office Presidents serve four-year terms. At first, the Constitution did not limit the number of terms a president could serve. The nation s first president, George Washington, served for two terms. He then refused to run for a third term. Following this example, no president served more than two terms until PHOTO: Getty Images Reading Strategy: Sequencing LA Understanding the sequence, or order, of events in a presidential election will help you understand the role of the Electoral College. As you read, note the sequence of events, from the nomination of electors to the counting of electoral votes. 228 The Executive Branch Academic Vocabulary display to show or list outcome a result or consequence

7 PHOTO: (tl) Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images (tr) Eric Draper/The White House via Getty Image In 1940, Franklin D. Roosevelt broke with tradition to run for a third term. He won that year and again in Some people worried that a person could hold too much power if there were no term limits. That concern led to the Twentysecond Amendment in It limits a president to two elected terms in office. However, a person may serve almost 10 years if he or she becomes president with less than two years remaining in the term of the previous president. Salary and Benefits The president is paid $400,000 per year. He or she also receives some money for personal costs and for travel. The president lives and works in the White House. A staff of more than 80 people takes care of the president s family. The president has use of Camp David. This is an estate in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland. The complex is about 60 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. Presidents travel with a fleet of special cars, helicopters, and airplanes. For long trips, the president uses Air Force One, a specially equipped jet. The Vice President The vice president is elected with the president. He or she is also chosen by the Electoral College. The rules for becoming vice president are the same as those for the presidency. The Constitution gives little power to the vice president. Article I states that the vice president shall preside over, or oversee, the Senate. It also says that the vice president can vote in that body in case of a tie. Finally, the vice president becomes president if the president dies, is removed from office, falls seriously ill, or resigns. President Obama (top) boards the presidential helicopter, Marine One. The use of presidential helicopters dates back to President George W. Bush (inset) spent many days at Camp David, which is managed by the White House Military Office. Presidents often host foreign leaders and hold special meetings at the presidential retreat. CRITICAL THINKING Making Connections Why do you think presidential transportation and the presidential retreat are the responsibility of the military? SS.7.C.3.8 PROGRESS CHECK Identifying How many votes are needed to win in the Electoral College? Lesson 1 229

8 NGSSS covered in Presidential Succession SS.7.C.3.3 Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution. SS.7.C.3.8 Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Presidential Succession GUIDING QUESTION What happens if the president must step down from office? In 1841 William Henry Harrison became the first president to die in office. His death raised many questions. The Constitution says that the vice president should take on the powers and duties of the presidency. But no one was sure what that meant. Should the vice president remain as vice president but do the president s job? Should the vice president become president? Should a special election be called to elect a new president? Vice President John Tyler settled these questions. He declared himself president and took the oath of office. Then he served out the rest of Harrison s term. Since Tyler s time, eight other vice presidents have taken over the presidency after a president has either died or resigned. The Presidential Succession Act In 1947, Congress passed the Presidential Succession Act. It lists the line of succession after the vice president. A line of succession is the order in which officials are expected to succeed, or come next, to an office. The chart shows the current line of succession. CHART SKILLS The Presidential Succession Act sets the order of succession for the office of president. The vice president is first in the line of succession. 1 Identifying Which two officials come after the vice president in the line of succession? 2 CRITICAL THINKING Making Inferences Why is it important to have the order of succession clearly set? SS.7.C Vice President Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary of Homeland Security Reading HELPDESK Source: Nelson, Ed. The Presidency A to Z, 3rd ed. (Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2003) Academic Vocabulary resign to give up one s office or position 230 The Executive Branch

9 The Twenty-fifth Amendment Other questions about presidential succession were answered by the Twenty-fifth Amendment. It was ratified in The Twentyfifth Amendment makes it clear that if the president dies or leaves office, the vice president becomes president. It goes further, though. In the past, when a vice president became president, the office of vice president was left empty. This amendment changed that. It said that the new president should choose a new vice president with the help of Congress. The process has two steps. First, the new president names someone to the office. Second, both the Senate and the House of Representatives must then vote to approve this choice. This part of the Twenty-fifth Amendment has been used twice. In 1973 Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned. President Richard Nixon named Gerald Ford of Michigan to replace him. Congress approved the choice, and Ford became vice president. The next year, Nixon resigned from office, making Ford president. That left the vice presidency vacant again. Ford named Nelson A. Rockefeller of New York to be his vice president. He, too, was approved by the House and the Senate. The Twenty-fifth Amendment made another important change. It gives the vice president a role in deciding whether a president is disabled and cannot do the job. If that occurs, the vice president serves as acting president until the president is able to go back to work. This feature has been used once in history. In 1985 President Ronald Reagan needed to have some surgery. Before he did, he told Congress that he would be unable to carry out his duties during the surgery. As a result, Vice President George H. W. Bush served as acting president for about eight hours. Why It MATTERS Successsion Rules Sometimes leaders in government or other organizations leave office unexpectedly. Succession rules help to keep order. If you belong to any clubs or organizations, find out if they have an established order of succession. PROGRESS CHECK Summarizing What problem with the vice presidency was the Twenty-fifth Amendment meant to solve? LESSON 1 REVIEW Review Vocabulary 1. Write a sentence that explains the role of electors in choosing the president. LA Answer the Guiding Questions 2. Explaining What three requirements must a person meet to become president or vice president of the United States? SS.7.C Summarizing What role is given to the vice president in the constitution? SS.7.C Speculating For what reasons might the Twenty-fifth Amendment be used to replace a president? SS.7.C EXPOSITORY WRITING Which characteristic do you think is most important in a president? Is it the president s profession, education, religion, or some other characteristic? Explain your reasoning in a paragraph. SS.7.C.3.8 Lesson 1 231

10 netw rks There s More Online! GRAPHIC ORGANIZER Roles of the President CHART Fun Facts About the State of the Union SLIDESHOW Executive Privilege Lesson 2 The President s Powers and Roles ESSENTIAL QUESTION What is required of leaders? It Matters Because NGSSS covered in Presidential Powers PresidentialP owers SS.7.C.3.3 Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution. SS.7.C.3.8 Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. LA The student will use new vocabulary that is introduced and taught directly. LA The student will determine the main idea or essential message in grade-level or higher texts through inferring, paraphrasing, summarizing, and identifying relevant details. GUIDING QUESTION What are the duties of the president? Reading HELP DESK Fewer than 50 men have known what it feels like to be president of the United States. Some former presidents thoughts are revealing. PRIMARY SOURCE has made every man who occupied it, no matter how small, bigger thanthehepresidency was; and no matter how big, not big enough for its demands. Lyndon B. Johnson The president is the head of just one of the three branches of government. However, he or she is one of only two officials in the federal government elected by the entire nation. The other official is the vice president. As a result, the president is a symbol of both the federal government and the entire nation. The president is the most powerful public official in the United States. The U.S. Constitution is the basis of the president s power. Article II says that Executive Power shall be invested in a President. Thus, the president s main job is to execute, or carry out, the laws passed by Congress. Taking Notes: Categorizing Create a graphic organizer like the one shown. As you read this lesson, fill it out with roles of the president. LA The Executive Branch Roles of the President Content Vocabulary Academic Vocabulary executive order pardon require to have a need for, or to order reprieve amnesty ambassador PHOTO: (tl) Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images; (tcl) Bettmann/Corbis; (tcr) DMITRY ASTAKHOV/AFP/Getty Images; (tr) Steve Northup/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images The president has many important duties that affect all Americans.

11 PHOTO: Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images Beyond the responsibility to carry out the laws, the Constitution gives the president several specific powers: He or she can veto, or reject, bills passed in Congress. He or she can call Congress into special session. He or she serves as commander in chief of the armed forces. He or she receives leaders and other officials of foreign countries. He or she can make treaties with other countries, although they need approval by the Senate. He or she names the heads of executive agencies, judges of the federal court, ambassadors, and other top government officials. These appointments need Senate approval. He or she can pardon or reduce the penalties against people convicted of federal crimes. The Constitution requires, or calls for, the president to tell Congress about the state of the union. Each year, then, the president gives the State of the Union address. In this speech, the president discusses the nation s most important issues and his or her plans to address them. PROGRESS CHECK Identifying What are the president s powers as stated in the Constitution? President Obama (center), like presidents before him, delivered his first State of the Union address shortly after taking office. George Washington delivered the very first State of the Union address, then called the Annual Message. CRITICAL THINKING Finding the Main Idea What do you think is the purpose of the State of the Union address? SS.7.C.3.8 Lesson 2 233

12 NGSSS covered in Presidential Roles SS.7.C.3.3 Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution. SS.7.C.3.8 Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. SS.7.C.4.3 Describe examples of how the United States has dealt with international conflicts. In 1974 President Ford granted a pardon to former president Nixon, who resigned from office following a political scandal. Ford felt the pardon was necessary to spare the nation further turmoil. CRITICAL THINKING Making Connections Why is the power to pardon given to the president and not to Congress? SS.7.C.3.8 Reading HELPDESK Presidential Roles GUIDING QUESTION What roles does the president have? Under the Constitution, the president is responsible for carrying out the duties of the executive branch. As the nation has grown, the president has taken on other roles. Chief Executive The president s most important job is to carry out the nation s laws. To do this, the president is in charge of 15 cabinet departments and many agencies. The president names people to head the departments and the agencies. The Senate has to approve all of these choices. About 3 million workers not counting people in the armed forces help carry out this work. One tool presidents use to carry out the law is the executive order. An executive order is a rule or command the president gives out that has the same power and force as a law. Presidents use executive orders to spell out details of the policies set by Congress. They are part of the president s duty to take care that the laws are faithfully executed. These orders also make it possible for presidents to act quickly when they must do so. Many executive orders concern the everyday work of the executive branch. Some have had a much greater effect, though. In 1948, for example, President Harry S. Truman used an executive order to end the separation of races in the military. This order gave Americans of all races the same opportunity to serve in the armed forces. Another power of the chief executive is to name people to serve as justices of the Supreme Court and judges of other federal courts. Supreme Court justices decide whether a law follows the Constitution or not. This power is very important. In addition, once appointed, Supreme Court justices serve for life. Thus, most presidents try to name justices who share views close to their own. That way, they can ensure that their views continue to influence government long after they leave office. The Constitution also gives the president the power to grant pardons. A pardon declares forgiveness and freedom from punishment. The president may also issue a reprieve. This order delays punishing a person until a higher court can hear the case. The president can also grant amnesty, a pardon for a large group of people. PHOTO: Bettmann/Corbis executive order a rule or command the president gives out that has the force of law pardon a declaration of forgiveness and freedom from punishment reprieve an order to delay a person s punishment until a higher court can hear the case amnesty a pardon to a group of people ambassador an official representative of a country s government 234 The Executive Branch

13 The Constitution empowers the president to enter into treaties with foreign nations. Here, President Obama and Russian president Dmitry Medvedev sign the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) in The Senate must approve all treaties. CRITICAL THINKING Differentiating What role or roles is the president fulfilling when entering into a treaty? SS.7.C.3.8 Chief Diplomat The president leads the foreign policy of the United States. In this role, the president decides how the United States acts toward other countries. This role includes naming people to serve as ambassadors. These officials represent the United States government in other nations. Head of State The president is the living symbol of the nation. In this role, he or she tries to build goodwill with other countries by greeting their leaders when they visit the United States. The president also represents all Americans at important ceremonies. For example, the president awards medals to the country s heroes and places a wreath at Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetary. Commander in Chief PHOTO: DMITRY ASTAKHOV/AFP/Getty Images Under the Constitution, the president is commander in chief of the nation s armed forces. This allows presidents to back up foreign policy decisions with force when they need to. The president and Congress share the power to make war. Congress has the power to declare war. Yet, only the president can order troops into battle. The commanders of the army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guard all follow the orders of the president. Congress has declared war just five times. Presidents, however, have sent troops into action more than 150 times. For example, Congress never declared war on Iraq. Nonetheless, American troops invaded that nation in 2003 on orders of President George W. Bush. In 1973, after the Vietnam War, Congress passed the War Powers Resolution. This law says that the president must let Congress know within 48 hours when troops are sent into battle. Lesson 2 235

14 The troops must be brought home after 60 days unless Congress approves their use or declares war. Since the law s passage, however, troops have never been recalled due to congressional disapproval, nor has war been declared. Legislative Leader Only members of Congress can introduce bills. But Congress expects the president to propose new laws. Every president has goals that include new laws he or she wants Congress to pass. The president makes speeches to build support for these goals. He or she also meets with key senators and representatives. The president tries to convince them to support the proposed laws. The president and Congress often disagree over what laws Congress should pass. One reason is that the president represents the whole nation, while members of Congress represent only their states or districts. Economic Leader Every president tries to help the country s economy prosper. Voters expect the president to deal with such problems as lack of jobs, rising prices, and high taxes. One key task for the president each year is to plan the federal government s budget. The president meets with budget officials. Together, they decide what programs to support and what programs to cut back. Budget decisions have a great effect on the nation s economy. Party Leader The president is generally regarded as the leader of his or her political party. The president gives speeches to help fellow party members who are running for office as members of Congress, governors, and mayors. The president also helps the party to raise money. PROGRESS CHECK Explaining Why is the War Powers Resolution important? LESSON 2 REVIEW Review Vocabulary 1. Write a sentence comparing an executive order to a law. LA Use the terms pardon, reprieve, and amnesty in a paragraph. LA Answer the Guiding Questions 3. Summarizing What influence does the president have over Congress? SS.7.C The Executive Branch 4. Analyzing How is the president s role as chief diplomat connected with the roles of head of state and commander in chief? SS.7.C EXPRESSIVE WRITING Many people consider carrying out the nation s laws to be the president s most important job. If you agree, explain why in a paragraph. If you do not agree, explain which role you think is the president s most important job. SS.7.C.3.8

15 Landmark Supreme Court Supreme Cases Court Cases Dred United Scott States vs. Sandford v. Nixon, 1974 Presidents have claimed a right to keep discussions with their aides private. Under what circumstances, if any, must the courts honor that claim? SS.7.C.3.12 Analyze the significance and outcomes of landmark Supreme Court cases including, but not limited to, Marbury v. Madison, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona, in re Gault, Tinker v. Des Moines, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, United States v. Nixon, and Bush v. Gore. PHOTO: Steve Northup/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images Background of the Case In 1972, President Richard Nixon was trying to win reelection. One of his campaign workers hired some men to break into the offices of the Democratic Party in Washington, D.C. The offices were in a group of buildings called the Watergate. The break-in and what followed became known as the Watergate scandal. The Senate began to investigate the crime. So did a special prosecutor working in the Justice Department. They learned that some officials in the White House might have been involved. They also learned that the president had a taping system in his White House office. With this system, he had taped his conversations with aides. They thought that the tapes would show what the president and his aides had known about the crime. When they asked for the tapes, though, the president refused to release them. He based his claim on what he called executive privilege. This is the right of a president to keep his conversations private. The special prosecutor went to court, and a federal judge ordered President Nixon to turn over the tapes. Nixon refused. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court. The Decision Nixon s lawyers argued that executive privilege applied. They said presidents had to be able to protect the privacy of their conversations with top aides. The Court rejected this argument. Chief Justice Warren Burger wrote the decision. He said that the situation might be different if holding back the tapes was to protect military, diplomatic or President Richard M. Nixon sensitive national security secrets. Claiming executive privilege for general discussions, though, would upset the constitutional balance of a workable government. Eight justices took part in the decision. They all agreed that the president had to turn over the tapes. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives had begun the process for impeaching Nixon. The president finally released the tapes, which revealed his role in the cover-up. He lost most of his remaining support in Congress. Four days later, he resigned from the office of president. Why It Matters United States v. Nixon made it clear that in the American system of government, even the most powerful person, the president, is not above the law and beyond the power of the courts. Analyzing the Case 1. Explaining What reason did Nixon give to support his claim of executive privilege? 2. Analyzing What is your opinion of the Court s decision? Do you agree or disagree that presidents should have a right of executive privilege? Lesson 2 237

16 netw rks There s More Online! GRAPHIC ORGANIZER Foreign Policy Goals and Tools POLITICAL CARTOON Tightening the Belt Lesson 3 Making Foreign Policy ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What is required of leaders? Why do nations interact with each other? NGSSS covered in The President and Foreign Policy SS.7.C.3.3 Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution. SS.7.C.3.8 Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. LA : The student will use new vocabulary that is introduced and taught directly. LA The student will determine the main idea or essential message in grade-level or higher texts through inferring, paraphrasing, summarizing, and identifying relevant details. Reading HELPDESK It Matters Because The president makes the key decisions about our relations with other countries. The President and Foreign Policy GUIDING QUESTION What are the goals of foreign policy? A nation s plan for dealing with other nations is called its foreign policy. In making this policy, presidents hope to achieve several goals. The main goal of American foreign policy is national security. This means the ability to keep the country safe from attack or harm. No government can meet other goals, such as educating children, if the nation is under attack. Another major goal is to build trade with other nations. Trade is important to a strong economy. It creates markets for American products. It also provides jobs for American workers. A third goal is to promote world peace. Any war, even one far away, can disrupt trade and put the nation s safety at risk. When other nations are at peace, there is less risk that the United States will be drawn into war. A fourth goal of foreign policy is to advance democracy around the world. Promoting democracy and human rights in other countries encourages peace. This also helps protect our own national security. PHOTO: (tl) Eric Draper/White House/Getty Images; (tc) Fischer - Ed/Cartoonstock; (tr) Bullit Marquez/AP Photo Taking Notes: Categorizing As you read, create a graphic organizer like this one to show the president s foreign policy goals and tools. LA Foreign Policy Goals Foreign Policy Tools Content Vocabulary foreign policy national security treaty executive agreement trade sanctions embargo 238 The Executive Branch

17 The Foreign Policy Team The president leads the way in trying to achieve these goals. He or she does not work alone, though. The president is helped by close aides in the White House like the National Security Advisor. This official studies foreign policy questions. Then he or she gives advice to the president. A large team also works on foreign policy. The State Department, the Defense Department, and the National Security Council are all part of this team. Officials in these organizations give their ideas to the president. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) also serve on this team. They provide important background information. In the end, though, the president must make the final decisions. President Harry S. Truman noted, PRIMARY SOURCE No one who has not had the responsibility can really understand what it is like to be President, not even his closest aides.... [H]e is never allowed to forget that he is President. Harry S. Truman Once the president decides on a policy, this foreign policy team works to carry it out. President George Bush (center) meets with the National Security Council in September The National Security Council includes senior national security advisers and cabinet officials who help the president manage national security and foreign policy matters. CRITICAL THINKING Drawing Conclusions Why do you think the president has both military and nonmilitary foreign policy advisers? SS.7.C.3.8 PHOTO: Eric Draper/White House/Getty Images foreign policy a nation s overall plan for dealing with other nations national security the ability to keep the country safe from attack or harm Lesson 3 239

18 If the president chooses to send troops into military conflict, such as in Iraq, it can greatly increase government spending on defense. CRITICAL THINKING Analyzing What does this cartoon say about how the cost of a military action affects spending for other national priorities? Which branch makes decisions about defense spending? Congress Versus the President As you read in Lesson 2, the president is the commander in chief. Congress has certain war powers, too. Only it can declare war. It can stop the president from using the armed forces in certain ways. Finally, Congress alone can spend or hold back money for defense. The Constitution does not clearly state how the legislative and the executive branches should work CARTOON: Fischer - Ed/Cartoonstock together in this area. As a result, Congress and the president have often competed over who controls the war powers. One branch or the other has had more control over the war powers at different times. In the first 20 years or so after World War II, presidents had more power in this area. Congress lost much of its control. Then, near the end of the Vietnam conflict, Congress took back some of its war powers. The situation has changed again in recent years. With the war on terrorism, the balance of control has moved back again toward the presidency. PROGRESS CHECK NGSSS covered in The Tools of Foreign Policy SS.7.C.3.3 Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution. SS.7.C.3.8 Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. SS.7.C.4.3 Describe examples of how the United States has dealt with international conflicts. Reading HELPDESK Identifying What executive agencies help the president in making and carrying out foreign policy? The Tools of Foreign Policy GUIDING QUESTION What are the tools the president uses to carry out U.S. foreign policy? The president and Congress carry out foreign policy in several ways. These methods, or procedures, include reaching agreements with other countries and naming ambassadors. Other methods include giving foreign aid, making trade policy, and, when needed, using the military. Academic Vocabulary method a procedure or process of doing something treaty a formal agreement between the governments of two or more countries executive agreement an agreement between the president and the leader of another country 240 The Executive Branch

19 PHOTO: Bullit Marquez/AP Photo Treaties and Executive Agreeements Formal agreements between the governments of two or more countries are called treaties. Some treaties concern defense. One of the most important is the treaty that formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In this pact, the United States, Canada, and many nations in Western Europe promised to defend one another if attacked. The Senate must approve any treaty by a two-thirds vote. The president can work around the Senate by making an executive agreement. This is an agreement between the president and the leader of another country. Many of these agreements deal with matters like trade. Some are about having the armed forces of nations work together. Appointing Ambassadors The president appoints about 150 ambassadors. Each of them must be confirmed by the Senate. Ambassadors represent our nation to other nations. They are sent only to those countries that have governments whose right to exist we recognize, or accept. Sometimes the foreign policy team thinks that the government of a certain country has gained power illegally. In that case, the president can refuse to recognize it. Foreign Aid Foreign aid is a powerful tool to help carry out foreign policy. Foreign aid consists of money, food, military help, or other supplies given to other countries. One of this nation s greatest examples of foreign aid was the Marshall Plan. The program helped Western Europe rebuild after World War II. In late 2004, a tsunami killed more than 130,000 people in Indonesia. In this photo, U.S. Navy personnel bring in food, water, and other aid to the stricken region. Since 1950 the United States has supported Indonesia s development. The United States considers the Southeast Asian nation important to regional stability. CRITICAL THINKING DrawingI nferences Why do you think supporting development and democracy in foreign nations is part of U.S. national security strategies? Lesson 3 241

20 21 st Century SKILLS Recognize Quality Sources Search the Web for information about NAFTA. Identify at least six sources. Evaluate each source by answering questions such as Who is the author of the site? Is the information accurate? Is the site up-to-date? Does the site show bias? trade sanction an effort to punish another nation by imposing trade barriers embargo an agreement among a group of nations that prohibits them all from trading with a target nation Academic Vocabulary target selected person or thing to receive an action International Trade The president has the power to make economic agreements with other nations. These agreements cover what products may be traded and the rules for this trade. Sometimes the president chooses to block trade with a nation to try to convince it to change its policies. One way to block trade is to use trade sanctions. These trade barriers stop or slow trade with another nation in order to punish it. One kind of sanction is an embargo. This is an agreement by a group of nations to stop trading with a target nation. Congress plays a role in other economic areas. For instance, it sets tariffs. These are taxes on goods that are imported, or bought from other countries. Congress also must approve the treaties that allow the United States to join trade groups. The members of these groups agree to trade with one another without barriers. They include the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Military Force As commander in chief, presidents sometimes decide they must use the armed forces to carry out a foreign policy decision. Many times they have sent troops to trouble spots around the world. This has been done even when Congress has not declared war. The president s war powers are an important tool of foreign policy. President Bill Clinton called for attacks on bases used by terrorists in In 2003 President George W. Bush ordered American armed forces to invade Iraq and remove that nation s dictator, Saddam Hussein. In 2009 President Barack Obama increased the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. PROGRESS CHECK Describing What is an executive agreement? LESSON 3 REVIEW Review Vocabulary 1. Write a sentence explaining how trade sanctions and embargos areu sed. LA Write a sentence using two of these terms: foreign policy, national security, treaty. LA Answer the Guiding Questions 3. Identifying What are the four main goals of American foreign policy? SS.7.C The Executive Branch 4. Making Connections What foreign policy tools does the president have that could be used to deal with international terrorism? SS.7.C EXPOSITORY WRITING Which goal of American foreign policy do you think is most important? Write a paragraph explaining why. SS.7.C.3.8

21 netw rks There s More Online! GRAPHIC ORGANIZER Federal Bureaucracy CHARTS Selected Executive Offices of the President The President s Cabinet Lesson 4 How the Executive Branch Works ESSENTIAL QUESTION What is required of leaders? PHOTO: (tl) Jeff Chiu/AP Photo; (tc) Gene Blevins/LA Daily News/Corbis; (tr) NASA NGSSS covered in Executive Office Agencies SS.7.C.3.3 Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution. SS.7.C.3.8 Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. SS.7.C.4.3 Describe examples of how the United States has dealt with international conflicts. LA The student will use new vocabulary that is introduced and taught directly. LA The student will determine the main idea or essential message in grade-level or higher texts through inferring, paraphrasing, summarizing, and identifying relevant details. Reading HELPDESK It Matters Because Decisions made by people working in the executive branch affect many areas of life. Executive Office Agencies GUIDING QUESTION What offices make up the Executive Office of the President? In 1801 President Thomas Jefferson had a tiny staff. Only a few advisers, a messenger, and a part-time secretary helped him. Today hundreds of experts, advisers, secretaries, and clerks assist the president. Most of these people work in the Executive Office of the President (EOP). They are all part of what is called the president s administration. The EOP was set up under Franklin D. Roosevelt in Its purpose was to help the president do his job. The office has grown since its beginning. Today it has nearly 2,000 employees. Its budget is around $400 million. The president s staff has come a long way. The White House Office The EOP is overseen by the president s chief of staff. This person takes care of the president s schedules. The chief of staff also decides who is allowed to meet with the president. The chief of staff, along with the deputy chiefs of staff and senior advisers, serve as the president s closest advisers. Taking Notes: Summarizing As you read, create a chart to summarize the functions of the federal agencies. LA Agency Type Executive agencies Government corporations Regulatory commissions Function Content Vocabulary cabinet government corporation federal bureaucracy regulatory commission executive agency political appointee Lesson 4 243

22 CHART SKILLS SELECTED EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF THE PRESIDENT The Executive Office of the President assists the president in both domestic and foreign matters. CRITICAL THINKING 1 MakingI nferences Which unit of the EOP do you think crafts policy to combat global warming? and Technology Policy President Council of Economic Advisers President White House Chief Council on Environmental Quality National Security Council 2 Theorizing Why do you think the size of the EOP has grown over the years? SS.7.C.3.3 Drug Control Policy Administration and Budget Reading HELPDESK The heart of the EOP, however, is the White House Office. This group is made up of about 500 people who work directly for the president. Their many tasks include helping the president develop policy and communicate with Congress and the general public. Office of Management and Budget The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) prepares the federal budget. The budget shows the president s spending plans for the coming year. It also monitors, or oversees, spending in all the agencies of the executive branch. The director of the OMB works closely with the president. National Security Council The National Security Council (NSC) advises the president on matters of national security. The NSC includes the vice president, the secretaries of state and defense, and the chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Joint Chiefs of Staff are the top commanders from the four parts of the armed services. The Director of National Intelligence also serves on the NSC. Intelligence is information about the actions and plans of other governments. The National Security Advisor, appointed by the president, heads the NSC. C ontent Vocabulary (cont.) civil service system spoils system merit system 244 The Executive Branch cabinet a group of advisers to the president that includes the heads of 15 top-level executive departments Academic Vocabulary role the job or function of a person or thing

23 Council of Economic Advisers The Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) helps the president carry out the role, or job, of economic leader. The president names people to the CEA, but the Senate must approve them. The CEA gives advice on economic policy. It addresses such matters as job growth, prices, and trade. PROGRESS CHECK Identifying Which officials make up the National Security Council? The President s Cabinet GUIDING QUESTION What role does the president s cabinet play in the government? The EOP is only a small part of the president s administration. Thousands more people work in 15 large units called departments. The heads of those departments form the group of presidential advisers known as the cabinet. The head of the Department of Justice is called the attorney general. All other department heads are called secretaries. As you can see from the chart, the 15 departments work in many different areas. NGSSS covered in The President s Cabinet SS.7.C.3.3 Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution. SS.7.C.3.8 Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. SS.7.C.4.3 Describe examples of how the United States has dealt with international conflicts. THE PRESIDENT S CABINET Department Department of State (1789) Department of the Treasury (1789) Department of Defense (1789 as War Department; renamed in 1949) Department of Justice (1870) Department of the Interior (1849) Department of Agriculture (1889) Department of Commerce (1903) Department of Labor (1913) Department of Health and Human Services (1953) Department of Housing and Urban Development (1965) Department of Transportation (1966) Department of Energy (1977) Department of Education (1979) Department of Veterans Affairs (1989) Department of Homeland Security (2002) Role Plans and carries out the nation s foreign policy Collects, borrows, spends, and prints money Manages the armed forces Responsible for all aspects of law enforcement Manages and protects nation s public lands and natural resources Assists farmers and consumers of farm products Supervises trade, promotes U.S. business, tourism Deals with working conditions, wages of U.S. workers Works for the well-being and health of all Americans Deals with the special needs and problems of cities Manages nation s highways, railroads, airlines, and sea traffic Directs overall energy plan for the nation Provides advice and funding for schools Directs services for armed forces veterans Oversees America s defenses against terrorist attacks CHART SKILLS The president s cabinet includes the heads of the executive branch departments. The year next to the department name shows when the department was first formed. 1 Identifying Which cabinet departments 2 are the oldest? The newest? SS.7.C.3.3 CRITICAL THINKING Making Inferences What departments would be involved in a treaty about the trade of foods grown on American farms? Lesson 4 245

24 A Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) worker screens an airline traveler. The TSA is a division of the Department of Homeland Security. It is responsible for the safety of the nation s transportation systems. CRITICAL THINKING Drawing Conclusions Why do you think that it is the responsibility of the federal government to oversee transportation safety? Reading HELPDESK Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution mentions that the president may require in writing the opinion of the heads of each of the executive departments upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices. It does not, however, specifically mention the cabinet. Meeting with a cabinet is tradition, or custom. The tradition began with President George Washington. He met regularly with the heads of the first four departments. These were the attorney general and the secretaries of state, war, and the treasury. Later presidents followed this example. As more executive departments were created over the years, the cabinet grew. Cabinet Responsibilities Cabinet members give the president advice on matters that touch the departments they lead. The secretary of agriculture, for example, works with the president on issues that have an effect on farmers. Cabinet members also carry out the president s plans within their departments. Suppose that the president wants to start new programs for job training. The secretary of labor will be given the task of putting that plan into action. The president decides when the cabinet is to meet. The president may also ask the vice president and other top aides to join meetings of the cabinet. Meetings may be held as often as once a week or hardly at all. Many presidents have not relied heavily on their cabinets. They often have felt free to ignore cabinet advice. They expect the department heads to carry out their policies, though. Cabinet members spend most of their time directing the activities in their departments. To hold their posts, the department heads must be approved by the Senate. Department of Homeland Security In 2002, President Bush signed the Homeland Security Act. That law set up the new Department of Homeland Security. The task of this department is to protect the nation from attacks by terrorists. Part of that work is to gather information about terrorists and their plans. This was the first new department set up since That year, the Department of Veterans Affairs was formed. It runs programs for former members of the armed forces. PHOTO: Jeff Chiu/AP Photo federal bureaucracy agencies and the employees of the executive branch of government Academic Vocabulary specific falling into a particular category 246 The Executive Branch

25 The Vice President For many years, presidents gave little authority to their vice presidents. That has changed, though, in recent times. Vice President Al Gore, for example, served as a close adviser to President Bill Clinton about the environment. Vice President Dick Cheney advised President George W. Bush on foreign policy. Under President Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden led a team that tried to find ways to help families have a better standard of living. PROGRESS CHECK Stating When does the cabinet meet? The Federal Bureaucracy GUIDING QUESTION What is the federal bureaucracy? The executive branch also has hundreds of agencies. They deal with everything from running the space program to deciding what can be used to make hot dogs. Together, the agencies and employees of the executive branch are called the federal bureaucracy (byu RAH kruh see). About 3 million people work in the executive branch. These workers do three basic kinds of tasks. Through these tasks, they help make government policy. First, agencies write rules that put laws passed by Congress into practice. Laws are often written in very general terms. The agencies have to turn those guidelines into specific rules. That way, people and businesses can know what to do to follow the law. Florida CONNECTION Cabinet The Department of Justice is headed by the U.S. attorney general. The attorney general is the nation s chief lawenforcement officer. Florida native Janet Reno became the first woman attorney general of the United States in She was also the longest-serving attorney general of the 1900s. NGSSS covered in The Federal Bureaucracy SS.7.C.3.3 Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution. SS.7.C.3.8 Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This fire fighter battles a wildfire in Angeles National Forest in California. The Forest Service manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. CRITICAL THINKING Making Connections What role does Congress have in operating the Forest Service? PHOTO: Gene Blevins/LA Daily News/Corbis Lesson 4 247

26 In this 2007 photograph, space shuttle Discovery heads for the International Space Station. NASA is ending the 30-year-old space shuttle program. The government plans to rely on commercial spacecraft for future missions. CRITICAL THINKING Making Inferences What conclusions can you draw from this change in procedure? Reading HELPDESK Second, departments and agencies carry out the day-to-day activities of the federal government. Some workers deliver the mail, some collect taxes, and some take care of national parks. Others perform thousands of other services. Third, federal agencies oversee certain activities. For example, they watch banks to make sure that they obey the rules about banking. They decide if products are safe to use. They establish rules that protect our health and the environment. Agencies cannot simply take this work on for themselves. Congress must pass a law to give them the power to do their work. Independent Agencies The executive branch has many independent agencies. They are called independent because they are not part of a cabinet department. These agencies can be grouped into three types: executive agencies, government corporations, and regulatory commissions. Executive agencies are independent agencies that deal with certain specific areas within the government. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), for example, runs the space program. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) provides policy makers with intelligence information. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes and enforces regulations that protect human health and the environment. Some agencies are government corporations. These are businesses that are owned by the government. Like any business, they provide goods or services and charge people to buy those goods or services. The difference is that these corporations are not supposed to make a profit. The United States Postal Service is one example. The Tennessee Valley Authority is another. It sells energy to people living in a certain part of the country. The job of regulatory commissions is to protect the public. They make and enforce rules that an industry or group must follow. For instance, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) makes rules for television and radio stations. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission establishes safety standards for thousands of types of consumer products. Unlike the other two types of independent agencies, regulatory commissions do not report to the president. The president does name the people who head these commissions. He or she cannot fire them, though. Only Congress can remove them. PHOTO: NASA executive agency independent agency that deals with certain specific areas within the government 248 The Executive Branch government corporation a business owned and operated by the federal government regulatory commission independent agency created by Congress that can make rules concerning certain activities and bring violators to court

27 Government Workers The top jobs in a department or agency usually go to political appointees. These are people chosen by the president. Some are picked because they have experience in the work the department does. Some are named because they supported the president during the election. People in these jobs usually leave office when the president does. About 90 percent of those who work in the federal government are civil service workers. Unlike political appointees, civil service workers usually have permanent jobs. These people might be clerks or lawyers or park rangers. They are hired through the civil service system. This is the practice of hiring government workers on the basis of open, competitive examinations and proven ability. Before 1883, many federal jobs fell under the spoils system. In this practice, people won government jobs as a reward for political support. Each new president fired many government workers and replaced them with supporters. The idea was, To the victor belong the spoils [jobs]. Under the spoils system, appointees were not always qualified to perform their jobs. In response, Congress passed the Civil Service Reform Act of That law created the civil service system. It also placed limits on the number of jobs a new president could give to friends and backers. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) directs the civil service system today. It sets standards for federal jobs. It also gives tough tests to people who want those jobs. The civil service system is a merit system. Government officials hire new workers from lists of people who have passed the tests or otherwise met civil service standards. PROGRESS CHECK Describing Which jobs go to political appointees today? political appointee a person appointed to a federal position by the president civil service system the practice of hiring government workers on the basis of open, competitive examinations and merit spoils system rewarding people with government jobs on the basis of their political support merit system hiring people into government jobs on the basis of their qualifications LESSON 4 REVIEW Review Vocabulary 1. What is the difference between an executive agency and a regulatory commission? LA How are the civil service system and the merit system connected? LA Answer the Guiding Questions 3. Explaining Why is the work of the Office of Management and Budget so important? SS.7.C Identifying What are the main functions of the members of the cabinet? SS.7.C Explaining How does a government corporation operate? SS.7.C PERSUASIVE WRITING Federal agencies enforce thousands of regulations that affect our lives. Some people say the government plays too large a role in society. Write a paragraph on whether you agree with this viewpoint and why. SS.7.C.3.8 Lesson 4 249

28 CHAPTER 8 Activities Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper. 1 Writing Activity SS.7.C.3.8 EXPLORING THE ESSENTIAL QUESTION What is required of leaders? In this chapter you learned about the many roles, responsibilities, and duties of the president. Think about what personal characteristics and background (such as education and job experience) a person would need to be a great president. Make two lists one of desired characteristics and another of background factors. Then use your list to poll people you know to find out which characteristic and which background factor they think is most important. Summarize your findings in a short report about your poll. 2 21st Century Skills SS.7.C.3.3 INFORMATION LITERACY The federal bureaucracy consists of hundreds of departments, agencies, bureaus, offices, services, boards, and commissions that affect many areas of American life. Find one that interests you and learn more about it. Visit its Web site to learn how it is organized, what its role is, how it does its job, and how its work affects Americans. Organize what you learn in a written report, an oral report, a visual aid, or a slide-show presentation for the class. 3 Being an Active Citizen SS.7.C.3.8 Identify a situation in your community or in the news that you feel needs greater federal involvement. Find out which agency in the federal bureaucracy has responsibility in this area. Write a letter to the head of this agency asking the agency to look into the matter. 4 Understanding Visuals SS.7.C.3.8 Only part of a president s power comes from the Constitution. Another part comes from having the support of the people. Presidents who lose public support find it more difficult to effectively use the powers they have. For this reason, presidential advisers keep a close watch on public opinion polls about the president. This political cartoon makes a comment about polls that measure the public s approval of the president. Examine the cartoon. Which president is being referred to? How do you know? What comment is the cartoonist making about this president s approval rating? CARTOON: DAVE GRANLUND/PoliticalCartoons.com 250 The Executive Branch