The Executive Branch of the Federal Government is lead by the President
and has two elected positions
∎ President ∎ Vice President
Other Appointed Offices Serve the Executive Branch —
∎ Members of the Cabinet ∎ Members of the Executive Office of the President
President — Joe Biden
Democrat, Elected in 2020, up for re-election in 2024
∎ Campaign Site
∎ Whitehouse.gov Homepage ∎ La Casa Blanca
∎ Biographical Information
∎ Whitehouse.gov Information about the Presidency
∎ Administration ∎ Cabinet Agencies
∎ Current Executive Office Councils and Offices
∎ Administration’s Priorities
∎ Biden – Harris Record
∎ Contact Form
How often is the President elected?
The President is elected to a four-year term, and is limited to two terms (which need
not be consecutive) by the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution. Election of the President
occurs via the Electoral College, with provisions for selection by the House of Representatives should
no candidate receive a majority of the Electoral College vote.
The next Election occurs in Nov. 2024
What are the requirements to serve as President?
Must be a US citizen, born in the United States
Must be at least 35 years of age
Must have lived in the US for at least 14 years.
What are the President’s authorities and responsibilities?
Serves as Head of State of the US.
Signs or vetoes legislation passed by Congress, a 2/3 majority in both houses of Congress can override a Presidential veto.
Is responsible for execution and enforcement of laws passed by Congress.
Supervises federal cabinet departments and agencies that execute policies authorized by Congress
Appoints cabinet secretaries, with the advice and consent of the Senate, as well as leaders of numerous Independent federal commissions.
Appoints Ambassadors, with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Appoints Justices of the US Supreme Court, with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Acts as Commander-in-Chief of the US armed forces.
Supervises the negotiation of international treaties, which are then submitted to Congress for approval.
Is empowered to issue Executive Orders in some circumstances.
Submits a proposed annual budget for modification and approval by Congress.
Reports annually to Congress on the State of the Union.
What is the Cabinet?
The Cabinet’s role is to advise the President on any subject he or she may require relating to the duties of each member’s respective office.
The cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of the 15 executive departments.
Cabinet members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The members of the Cabinet run the major federal agencies
Play an important role in the Presidential line of succession — after the Vice President, Speaker of the House, and Senate President pro tempore, the line of succession continues with the Cabinet offices in the order in which the departments were created.
All the members of the Cabinet take the title Secretary, excepting the head of the Justice Department, who is the Attorney General.
Executive Branch Offices Including Cabinet Agencies Each Department is listed with information about what that department oversees, responsibilities and regulatory capabilities.
Current Cabinet Officers & Departments — List of all Cabinet members and their position in order of succession.
What is the Executive Office of the President?
The Executive Office of the President (EOP) is not the same as the Cabinet. It was created in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The EOP serves the President’s administration by being responsible responsibility for tasks ranging from communicating the President’s message to the American people to promoting our trade interests abroad.
Senate confirmation is required for some advisers, such as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, most are appointed with full Presidential discretion. The individual offices that these advisors oversee have grown in size and number since the EOP was created. Some were formed by Congress, others as the President has needed them — they are constantly shifting as each President identifies his or her needs and priorities.
Current Executive Office of the President’s Councils and Offices with links to details about each.
Vice President — Kamala Harris Elected in 2020, up for re-election in 2024
∎ Campaign Site
∎ Biographical Information
∎ Whitehouse.gov Information about the Vice Presidency
∎ Biden – Harris Record
∎ Service Academy Nomination Process
How often is the Vice President elected?
The Vice President is elected together with the President, as part of a combined national ticket. As with the President, election of the Vice President is via the Electoral College.
The next Election occurs in Nov. 2024
How is a Vice President chosen as a running mate for the Democratic Party’s Presidential Candidate?
The vice presidential candidate is formally selected by the party’s nominating convention, following the selection of the party’s presidential candidate. In recent years, the selection of a vice presidential candidate is often announced prior to the actual convention balloting for the presidential candidate, and sometimes before the beginning of the convention itself.
What are the requirements to serve as Vice President?
Must be a US citizen, born in the United States
Must be at least 35 years of age
Must have lived in the US for at least 14 years.
What are the Vice President’s authorities and responsibilities?
The Vice President assumes the authorities and responsibilities of the Presidency in the event of the incapacity of the President, and in the event of the death of the President, is inaugurated as the President’s immediate successor.
The Vice President also serves as President of the Senate, and in that role is empowered to cast a vote to resolve a tie, if necessary.
If called upon by the President, the Vice President may also be tasked with various assignments within the scope of the Executive Branch.
Most modern vice presidents serve as a key presidential advisor, governing partner, and representative of the president.