ARTICLE II: The Executive Branch

1. What is the main focus of Article II?
   The main focus of Article II is the executive branch and its role in U.S. government.

2. In one sentence, summarize the main function of the executive branch.
   The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws.

3. Who is the head of the executive branch?
   The president.

4. Who is second in command?
   The vice president.

5. Using a dictionary, define executive. What is executive power?
   Executive: A person or group having administrative or managerial authority in an organization. The chief officer of a government, state or political division. Executive power: The power given to the chief officer.

6. How does a president get his/her job?
   The president is elected.

Qualification/Terms

1. Minimum Age Requirement:
   The president and vice president must be at least 35 years old.

2. Citizenship Requirements:
   Both the president and the vice president must be natural-born U.S. citizens.

3. Residency Requirements:
   Both positions require that the person must have been a U.S. resident for 14 years.

4. Term of Office:
   The presidential term is four years.

Duties/Responsibilities/Powers

1. What role does the president have with the military?
   The president is the commander in chief of the U.S. military.

2. What role does the president have with executive departments?
   The president is the head of all executive departments. Each department head must answer to the president.

3. What can he/she do in order to hold such departments accountable?
   The president can ask each department to give a full report of their work.

4. What are the executive department heads, or chief presidential advisors, called?
   The chief presidential advisors/department heads are called the cabinet.

5. What are the agreements that the president can make with foreign nations called?
   Agreements made with foreign nations are called treaties.

6. Who can the president nominate or appoint?
   The president can appoint cabinet members and federal judges, including Supreme Court justices.

7. What is the State of the Union address and why is it an important presidential responsibility?
   The State of the Union address is a speech given before Congress (both houses) that covers the present assessment of the health of the nation. It is important because it is in the State of the Union address that the president proposes laws and initiates the budget talks.

8. What does the president recommend in a State of the Union address?
   The president recommends laws, policies and budgetary concerns.

9. The president must enforce all laws.

Article II Worksheet (PDF File)