Understanding the Executive Branch

The executive branch of the United States federal government is one of three responsible for governing the nation. Along with the legislative and judicial branches, it plays an important role in the creation and implementation of federal laws. It’s led by the U.S. president.

What Is The Executive Branch?

The executive branch includes 15 different departments. Each of the departments is led by secretaries, all of whom are members of the president’s cabinet. The executive branch also includes several regulatory and enforcement agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is also in charge of various commissions, like the Federal Reserve Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and others.

The President of the United States is the head of the executive branch and is elected to a maximum of two four-year terms. The vice president is also elected for a four-year term, but there are no limits on the number of terms a vice president can serve.

The president is responsible for running the executive branch, signing legislation into law, and issuing executive orders to implement programs and policies. The president also appoints federal judges, including justices serving on the Supreme Court. They also have the power to pardon people convicted of federal crimes.

History of the Executive Branch

The executive branch was created at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which also established the legislative and judicial branches. The founding fathers created each branch to ensure a balance of power in the federal government. It separated the different functions of government and created a system of checks and balances to ensure that none of the branches became too powerful.

In the past, voters did not vote separate for president and vice president. They cast one vote for president and the candidate who came in second would become the vice president. However, this changed in 1804 when the 12^th Amendment changed the process to our current procedures.

The executive branch plays an important role in American society. It is one of the reasons the person serving as U.S. president is seen as the most powerful person in the world. When the office was first created, the chief executive, along with the branch it leads, was not meant to be as important as the position has become today. Now, some worry that the branch enjoys more power than it should, especially since Americans place such an importance on the presidency. But despite this reality, Congress and the Supreme Court remain an important way to limit the other branch’s power.