Executive branch of the United States government
Overview
The executive branch of the United States government is one of the three branches of federal government, the others being the legislative and the judicial branches. The executive branch is responsible for executing, or carrying out, the laws of the nation. It is headed by the President, who serves as both the head of state and the head of government. The President is assisted by the Vice President and the Cabinet, which includes the heads of 15 executive departments.
The President
The President is the highest-ranking official in the executive branch and holds significant influence over domestic and foreign policy. The President is elected to a four-year term by the citizens of the United States through an Electoral College system. The President's powers and duties include signing or vetoing legislation, appointing federal executive, diplomatic, regulatory, and judicial officers, and directing the foreign and domestic policies of the United States.
The Vice President
The Vice President is the second-highest-ranking official in the executive branch. The Vice President is also elected to a four-year term alongside the President. The Vice President's primary responsibilities include presiding over the Senate and voting in that body to break a tie. The Vice President also serves as a member of the President's Cabinet and the National Security Council.
The Cabinet
The Cabinet is a group of the most senior appointed officers of the executive branch of the federal government. Cabinet officers are nominated by the President and then presented to the Senate for confirmation or rejection by a simple majority. Once confirmed, they serve at the pleasure of the President, who can dismiss them at any time without the approval of the Senate.
Executive Departments
There are 15 executive departments, each headed by a Cabinet member. These departments include the Departments of State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security.
Independent Agencies and Government Corporations
In addition to the executive departments, the executive branch includes numerous independent agencies and government corporations. Independent agencies, such as the CIA, EPA, and NASA, are those agencies that exist outside of the federal executive departments and the Executive Office of the President. Government corporations, on the other hand, are legally established entities that undertake commercial activities on behalf of the government, such as the Postal Service and Amtrak.
Checks and Balances
The executive branch is subject to a system of checks and balances that are designed to prevent the accumulation of too much power in any one branch of government. The legislative branch has the power to pass laws, but the President has the power to veto those laws. The judicial branch, meanwhile, has the power to interpret laws and declare them unconstitutional.