TYPES OF POWERS UNDER THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
Powers given to the Federal Government
Delegated Powers
Federal powers that are specifically stated in the Constitution
Expressed Powers
Federal Powers used to carry-out Expressed Powers
Implied Powers
Powers given to the State Government
Reserved Powers
Powers shared by both the state and federal gov’t
Concurrent Powers
Powers that are unconstitutional and cannot be used
Denied Powers
Chapter 3 – The Constitution
Introduction
 Under the Articles of Confederation, the founders learned the value of a
strong central government. (Central or Federal Government was too weak)
 Under King George III, the Founders learned to fear a government with too
much power. (Violated individual rights)
 The Founders created a central government with limited power
 The Constitution consists of the preambles, seven articles, and a series of
amendments (27)
3 Sections of the Constitution
 Preamble (Intro) Explains why the document was written and what it wants to
accomplish
 Articles (7 Sections) covers how the government is structured
I. Legislative Branch
II. Judicial Branch
III. Executive Branch
IV. Relationship between States and National Government
V. Ways Constitution can be amended
VI. Constitution “Supreme Law of the Land”
VII. Ratification
 Amendments (Changes) 27 Amendments
 First 10 Amendments called Bill of Rights (Protect individual rights)
Principles of the US Constitution
 Popular sovereignty (Rule by the people)
 Republicanism (Elected Representatives)
 The Constitution limits the power of the national government by specifying
what it can and cannot do
 Federalism limits central power by dividing power among national, state, and
local governments .
 Power is divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
(Separation of Powers)
 A system of checks and balances allows each branch to have some control
over the other two. Ex. Executive Veto. Legislative Override by 2/3 vote.
Judicial Constitutionality of laws or actions.
 The Bill of Rights outlines and protects individual rights from government
overreach
The National Government
 To become a law, 9 out of 13 states had to ratify the Constitution.
 In The Federalist Papers, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and
John Jay argued in support of the Constitution
 A key argument in TFP was that the separation of powers made it
impossible for a tyrant to take over
 The government was limited by assigning powers to the other branches
and providing each other with checks and balances to limit power.
Executive Branch
 The President heads the executive branch, which includes the
departments that enforce laws passed by Congress.
o (Justice Dept, Dept of Education, Dept of Treasury)
 The executive branch includes federal agencies, commissions,
government corporations, and boards that carry out specific duties
o (FBI, NSA, NASA, EPA)
 The President is a civilian elected by the people to serve as Commanderin-Chief to the military, make treaties, appoint key officials, and grant
pardons
 The power of the military is divided between the different branches to
limit military power
The Judicial Branch
 Article III establishes the Federal Court System, consisting of a Supreme
Court and the lower courts
 The Federal Court System hears cases about the Constitution and other
Federal issues
 The Judicial Branch’s power comes from Judicial Review, the courts
ability to interpret the Constitution and overturn laws that violate it.
 This power gives the judicial branch a status equal to the other two
branches of government.
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Makes Laws
Enforces Laws
Interprets Laws
Congress (S & HofR)
President/Governor
Supreme Court & lower courts
Elected Officials
Leads Depts & Agencies Appointed Officials
Elected Officials
American Government: Then & Now
 As the United States has grown, the job of president has become more and
more busy
 President Washington had relatively little to do, while modern presidents have
very tight schedules
 The first members of Congress introduced less than 200 bills, and only
worked part-time
o Today’s Congress introduces about 10,000 bills every year
 Early Supreme Court justices heard almost no cases, SC Justices traveled to
district courts to hear appeals
Relations Among the Branches
 The division of power among three branches requires that the branches
cooperate with each other
 Executive powers that require cooperation between the president and congress
(Shared Powers) serve as limits on presidential power
o (Ex: Negotiating and approving treaties)
 Checks and Balances, political parties, and the different kinds of power held
by each branch are sources of conflict
Amending the Constitution
 The amendment process allows the Constitution to be adapted as times change
 Amendments may be proposed by a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate
or by two-thirds of the states asking for a convention
 A proposed amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the state
legislatures or by three-fourths of the states through ratifying conventions
 Congress sets a time limit within which ratification must be completed
 Of more than 11,000 amendments proposed, only 27 have been ratified
The Bill of Rights
 Through the incorporation doctrine, almost all provisions of the national Bill
of Rights have been incorporated into the states by court cases
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The First Amendment guarantees basic freedoms (Speech, Press, Religion)
The Second ensures the right to security (Bear Arms)
The Third (Quartering troops)
The Fourth (Unlawful Searches)
o 1-4 = Protection of Home and Privacy
 The Fifth (Due Process)
 The Sixth (Speedy trial)
 Seventh & Eighth (Cruel and Unusual Punishment)
o 5-8 = Protect people accused of crimes
 The Ninth Amendment states that rights not names are kept by the people, and
the Tenth says that powers not given to the federal government belong to the
states and to the people
The Later Amendments
Seven of the later amendments modify the stricture of the government or the power
of the different branches
 11th – States cannot be sued by citizens of another state
 12th – Election procedures
 17th – Direct election of senators
 20th – January 20th = Last day in office
 22nd – Term Limits for President
 25th – Authority for VP to remove President from office if he becomes unfit to
lead
 27th – Congressional Pay Raises do not take effect until the next year
 Two amendments gave the government more power, but one of these was
repealed by a later amendment
 16th Amendment – Federal Income Tax
 18th Amendment – Prohibition (Repealed by the 21st Amendment)
 Seven amendments extend individual rights, particularly the right to vote.
 13th, 14th (Protect the rights of freedmen), 15th, 19th, 23rd, 26th
Changes to Our Understanding of the Constitution
 Federal courts interpret the Constitution, and changes in judges and in social
and political conditions can affect their interpretations. Ex: Brown v. Board of
Education reversed Plessy v. Ferguson from 60 years earlier
Chapter 4 - Federalism
Why Federalism
 The Framers needed to create a strong central government while protecting
citizens freedoms and allowing states to retain some powers
 Federalism – A system of government in which two or more governments
exercise power over the same people and same territory
o Federal → State → Local
o United States → South Carolina → Spartanburg
 The Constitution was based on federal model for dividing and sharing power
among different levels of government
Federalism in the Constitution
 Delegated Powers – (Expressed & Implied) powers the constitution grants the
national government
 Expressed Powers (Enumerated) are stated in the Constitution
o Ex: Levy taxes, print money, declare war
 Implied Powers are not stated but form the basis for carrying out stated
powers
o Ex: Space exploration, nucular weapons
State Powers
 Reserved Powers: Powers that belong to the states. They are not specifically
listed.
o Ex: Conduct elections, establish/support schools, regulate commerce
 Concurrent Powers: Shared by the federal government and the states.
o Ex: Tax, Maintain courts & define crimes, eminent domain
 Denied Powers: The Constitution specifically denies some power to the
Government. Ex: Taxation of exports, Jail without a fair trial, Grant titles of
nobility.
 Under the Supremacy Clause (Article 6), State and Local governments may
not conflict with the US Constitution.
Guarantees to and Obligations of the State
 The national government must guarantee each state a Republican form of
government, protection from invasion or unrest, and aid in emergencies
o Ex: Eisenhower sent troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957 when local
officials failed to integrate schools
o Congress is responsible for respecting the territorial integrity of each
state and for the admission of new states
 Ex: Enabling Act
o States have responsibilities in conducting elections and in amending the
Constitution
Federal Aid and Mandates
 Federal aid is granted (sum of money for a specific purpose) to state and local
governments that are willing to meet certain conditions. Ex: Improve airport
runways, build new roads
 Mandates require states to meet national standards in some state functions
o Ex: Real ID Act, Title IX, Americans With Disabilities Act, Clean Air
Act
 A restraint limits the ability of a state to regulate an area, Ex: 1990 Nutritional
Labeling and Education Act
 A Preemption allows the national government to assume responsibility for a
state function
 Unfunded Mandates – Mandates that must be funded by state governments
Conflicts
 The Federal Court System settles disputes between national and state
governments
 McCulloch v. Maryland established the national governments supremacy in
conflicts with state governments
 Many Supreme Court rulings have addressed the division of power between
state and national governments.
State Powers
 States regulate corporations within their borders and promote those businesses
(Helps economy and provides jobs)
 Prohibited from violating federal laws and regulations
o Ex: Minimum Wage
 Protecting life and property is the primary duty of state and local
governments.
o Criminal Code: State laws
 Ex: Murder, Rape, Assault, Burglary
 Education, Health, and Welfare account for the largest portion of state
spending
o Ex: State Education policies, License teachers and doctors, aid the needy
and disabled
 States try to preserve their natural resources by regulating air and water
pollution
o Ex: Environmental Impact Report
 Federalism gives a lot of freedom to each state, so there are important
differences among the states
Relations Among States
 States must honor other states laws and court orders, even if their own laws
are different
o Extradite – Return a fugitive that flees across state lines
 States must give the same fundamental rights to people from other states that
they give their own citizens
 Residency – Required to vote, serve on juries, or use public institutions
supported by state taxes
 States usually settle disagreements by making interstate compacts
o Ex: Port of New York Authority
 Interstate Compacts must be approved by Congress
 The US Supreme Court is the only court where one state can sue another.
o Ex: Water Rights, pollution, boundary disputes
Congressional Leadership
House of Representatives
(435) Senate
(100)
Speaker:
N. Pelosi
President:
K. Harris (VP)
Pro-Tempore:
P. Leahy
Majority Leader: S. Hoyer
Majority Leader: C. Schumer
Majority Whip:
J. Clyburn
Majority Whip: R. Durban
Minority Leader: K. McCarthy
Minority Leader: M. McConnell
Minority Whip:
S. Scalise
Minority Whip: J. Thune
Chapter 5 – Structure of Congress
Congress – Overview
 The founders gave more power to Congress than any other branch. Madison
“Congress is the first branch of government”
 Congress is a bicameral legislature (HofR & Senate)
 A congressional term is made up of two sessions, each one year long. Terms
begin on January 3.
 Congress remains in session until members vote to adjourn. President has the
authority to call a special session
Membership of the House
 Representatives must be at least 25 years old, US Citizens for 7+ years, and
legal residents of the state they represent.
 Representatives serve two year terms. Serve districts.
o Ex: SC has 7 representatives and 7 districts
o Elections for House and Senate are held during even numbered years
 Representation is based on population and is reapportioned after each
national census
 State legislatures redistrict after reapportionment
 Gerrymandering is fueled by the competitive struggle of the two-party
system
Chapter 6 – Congressional Powers
Congressional Power – Necessary & Proper
 Alexander Hamilton stated that every governmental power must also include
the means to carry out that power
 The expressed powers of Congress are listed in the Constitution
 The implied powers of Congress come from Clause 18, often called the
“Necessary and Proper Clause”, or elastic clause
 The broad interpretation of the necessary and proper clause in McCulloch v.
Maryland (expanded congressional power)
 The Constitution denies certain powers to Congress. (Article 1 Section 9)
o Ex: Suspend habeas corpus, ex post facto laws, tax exports
Constitutional Provisions
 Perhaps the most important power of Congress is the power to levy taxes
and control spending. (The Power of the Purse)
 Revenue Bill – Proposed laws for making money
 Appropriations Bill – Laws proposed to authorize spending money
 Authorizations Bill – Establishes a program and states how much can be
spent on the program
 A common way for the government to borrow money is to sell government
bonds
Legislative Powers
 Key powers of Congress include taxing, spending, and regulating interstate
commerce (Gibbons v. Ogden)
 Commerce Clause: make discrimination in public facilities illegal
 Foreign policy powers of Congress include the power to approve treaties,
declare war, and regulate foreign commerce.
o Ex: War Powers Act to limit the presidents power to commit troops
abroad without congressional approval
 Congress has the power over naturalization, admittance of new states, and
governance of federal property
 Congress also has the power to grant copyrights and patents, and to establish a
post office and federal courts
Nonlegislative Powers
 Congress has the power to remove any federal official (impeachment)
 The senate must approve presidential appointments to office
 The Senate must ratify formal treaties with other nations (2/3 Vote)
 Congress and state legislatures share the power to propose constitutional
amendments
The Power to Investigate
 Ability to investigate social and economic misconduct and to oversee
performance of government agencies is a critical power of Congress
o Ex: Military actions, organized crime, the Environmental Protection
Agency – 1980s, Misuse of FBI Agents
 Investigations (Implied Power) may be conducted by a standing committee or
a select committee.
 Investigations occur for a number of reasons
o Ex: Dodd-Frank Bill – Reform banking practices following the 2008
economic meltdown
 Congressional committees have the power to subpoena witnesses, punish
perjury and contempt, and grant immunity
o Subpoena – Request for testimony/documents
o Perjury – Lying under oath
o Contempt – Willful obstruction of justice
o Immunity – Free from prosecution
o Congress must respect witnesses constitutional rights just as a regular
court would.
The Power of Oversight
 Legislative oversight is the ability to review executive branch activities on a
regular basis over a longer period of time. It is part of checks and balances
 Power of the Purse allows Congress to review, and possibly modify work
studied by a Congressional Support Agency
 Congress may require reports from an executive agency or have its work
studied by a Congressional Support Agency
 The legislative veto allows Congress to cancel actions of executive agencies
and independent counsel are no longer available to Congress
o Declared unconstitutional because it violated the separation of powers
o 1999 US Attorney General has the sole power to conduct ethics
investigations of top officials.
 Ex: Investigation into lobbyist Jack Abramoff
Types of Bills and Resolutions
 The two types of bills introduced in Congress are private bills (claims against
the government or an individual person’s immigration problem) and public
bills (tax cuts, national health insurance, gun control, civil rights, or abortion
 Congress can also pass resolutions to make policy on unusual or temporary
matters
 Joint Resolution
o Ex: Declaration of war, proposed constitutional amendment
 Simple Resolution
o Ex: Adoption or amendment of house rules
 Concurrent Resolution
o Ex: Budget resolution, creation of a joint committee
 Riders are often attached to bills that are likely to pass
 Citizens can track bills and resolutions through public and private internet
sites.
Introducing a Bill
 A bill may come from many sources, but it must be introduced by a member
of Congress
 After introduction, a bill is assigned to a committee for action.
 The committee holds hearings to act on the bill
 Following a markup session, the committee votes whether to report or kill the
bill.
Floor Action
 Amendments can be added to most bills during floor debates
 Voting on a bill requires the presence of a quorum of the members
 Passage of a bill requires a majority vote of all members present
 Three ways of voting: Voice, Standing, Roll-Call
 Only the House used recorded vote, votes are recorded electronically
Final Steps in Passing Bills
 A conference committee is often required to produce identical versions of a
bill
 After both houses have approved an identical bill, it is sent to the president for
a signature or veto
 Congress can override a veto with a two thirds vote in both houses
 After it becomes law, a bill is registered with the National Archives and
Records Service
 Fewer than 10% of all bills introduced become public laws
Making Decisions About Taxes
 All revenue, or tax, bills must remain in the House of Representatives
 Tax bills are shaped by the House Ways and Means Committee. Decides tax
cuts or increases, deductions, and benefits businesses can claim
 Tax bills are usually debated under closed rule. Closed rule Benefits
supporters of a bill
 Open Rule: permits debate and amendments. Benefits opponents of a bill
 Amendments are usually added in the Senate. Special interest groups target
the senate to get tax provisions they oppose removed from house bill
Spending Money
 Congress Uses an Authorization Bill to set up a program, which is then funded
by an appropriations bill
 Continuing resolutions keep the government open and operating under
previous levels of appropriations
 The House and Senate have committees dedicated to appropriations bills
 The practice of putting earmarks on appropriations bills is controversial
 Uncontrollable expendatures include entitlements (social programs that entitle
individuals to certain programs or monetary benefits
o Ex: Veterans programs and Social Security
The Influence of Voters
 Lawmakers usually go along with their constituents’ preferences
 The voting record of a lawmaker is an important factor in reelection.
 Lawmakers learn the opinions of their constituents through visits, messages,
surveys, and polls and key supporters
o People who contribute money
The Influence of Parties
 Party identification is a key influence on a lawmakers voting behavior.
 Both Dems and Reps tend to vote with their respective parties
 Party members tend to share the same political outlook
 Lawmakers turn to fellow party members for advice on some issues
Other Influences on Congress
 Every president tries to influence Congress to pass particular bills
 Presidents can influence lawmakers by supporting or opposing their
legislative goals
 Lawmakers are also influenced by lobbyists, the paid representatives of
interest groups
 Political Action Committees and “super PACs” influence lawmakers through
donations
Handling Problems
 Helping constituents with problems is called casework
 Lawmakers respond to thousands of requests for help in dealing with
executive agencies
o Ex: Current members of the military and veterans, local businesses, and
recent graduates
 All lawmakers have staff members called caseworkers to handle constituent
problems
 Most caseworkers live and work in the lawmakers congressional district
 Casework helps get lawmakers reelected, helps them monitor the executive
branch, and is a part of their job
 Another key function of members of Congress is to educate constituents on
issues
Helping the District or State
 Public works projects bring jobs and money into a state or district.
o Ex: Post Offices, Dams, Military Bases, Highways
 Pork Barrel Legislation (Fed $ for local projects) and logrolling (2+
lawmakers agreeing to support each other’s bills) provide lawmakers with
appropriations for their constituents
 Lawmakers work to funnel federal grants and contracts into their particular
state or district. Ex: Pressure agency officials to give a favorable hearing into
their states request for a grant
 Federal grants and contracts are awarded by executive branch agencies
o Ex: DoD spends billions of dollars to carry out hundreds of government
projects and programs
Chapter 9 – The Presidency
ROLES OF THE PRESIDENT
Chief of State Ceremonial, represents the US, gives speeches
Chief Executive Head of exec. branch, enforces policy, appoints cabinet heads and
justices
Chief Diplomat Directs foreign policy & negotiates treaties
Legislative Leader Veto or approve bills & suggests laws
Chief of Economy Plans economic policy, proposes budget
Commander-in-Chief Directs and controls the armed forces
Political Party Leader Campaigns and fundraises for his party. Rewards political allies
Constitutional Powers
 The Founders created a strong executive branch to carry out legislation of
Congress as well as to hold the legislature in check
o Ex: Protect liberty, property, and business
 The Constitution also identifies key presidential powers
o Ex: Execute laws, veto legislation, command the military, and engage
with foreign leaders
Growth of Presidential Power
 Presidents have used inherent powers to enlarge the scope of their authority
o Ex: Acquire territory, trust busting, intervene in labor disputes
 During war and other emergencies, presidents take strong actions based on
inherent powers.
o Ex: Lincoln suspending Habeas Corpus, The New Deal, the Bush
Patriot Act
 Executive Privilege is another power claimed by presidents
 Presidents like to claim that they have a mandate from the people
 Checks from the legislative and judicial branches balance the power of the
executive
o Ex: Supreme court can rule executive actions unconstitutional, Congress
can override vetoes, approve budget, impeach
Head of State
 The president represents the nation and preforms ceremonial roles of varying
importance
o Ex: Throwing 1st pitch, lighting the national Christmas tree, hosting
Team USA and National Champion Teams
 The president hosts kings, queens, and heads of foreign governments.
(Specifically stated in Article II)
 In natural disasters or tragedies, the president brings comfort on behalf of the
nation
o Ex: Visiting the scene and addressing the nation
 In many countries different people perform the duties of head of state.
o Ex: King, Queen or Prime Minister
Chief Executive
 According to the Constitution, the president shall faithfully execute the laws.
 Presidents appoint the executive branch officials (2,200) the most important
being the 15 cabinet department leaders and all federal judges, subject to
senate confirmation
 Presidents issue executive orders, which have the force of law without the
approval of Congress
o Ex: President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation
with an executive order; President Harry S. Truman used an executive
order in 1948 to racially integrate the armed forces; and President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt used one to place Japanese Americans in
internment camps during WWII
 With some restrictions, the president may impound funds approved by
Congress
o Ex: Nixon impounded billions
 Presidents have the power to grant reprieves, pardons, and amnesty
Commander-in-Chief
 The Constitution makes the president commander in chief of the armed forces.
May use military at home or abroad.
o Ex: Presidents have used federal troops to control rioting
 Congress retains the power to declare war and fund the military. Presidents
have sent American forces into action many times without a formal
declaration of war
o Ex: LBJ deployed forces to Vietnam without an official declaration of
war.
 The War Powers Act prevented presidents from committing troops to combat
for more than 60 days without congressional approval.
 The president, a civilian, is responsible for key military decisions.
 Since many shadow war (fought in secret by special forces, hired contractors,
and drones) activities are classified, the level of accountability is reduced.
 During times of war, presidents often claim increased power to protect the
nation
o Ex: Rationing during WWII, The Post 9/11 Patriot Act (Wire Taps and
Secret Searches)
Chief Diplomat
 Foreign policy is an area in which Congress and the president share, and often
struggle over power
 As chief diplomat, the president has sole power to negotiate and sign treaties –
formal agreements between the governments of two or more countries, ratified
by 2/3 of the Senate
 Congress can pass diplomatic resolutions that are not legally binding but
influence president and US relations with other countries
 Presidents have the advantage of access to information and decisive ability.
 Ex: CIA, State Department, DoD, NSC
 The president has the authority to make executive agreements (pacts between
the president and the head of a foreign government) with other countries
o Ex: Lend Lease Act
 The president decides whether the United States will recognize governments
of other countries
o Ex: Since 1961, presidents have refused to recognize the communist
government of Cuba
Legislative Leader
 Presidents have significant influence over the types of laws proposed and their
crafting. (Article II, Section 3)
o Ex: State of the Union Address
 Influence may come through relationships with Congress and through external
events
o Ex: USA Patriot Act, Reagans SS Plan, Johnsons “War on Poverty”
 Presidents may hand out political favors to get congressional support
o Federal project that brings money and jobs to a district
 Public support can give a president leverage in influencing lawmakers
o Ex: LBJ War on Poverty & Vietnam War
 A veto or the threat of a veto is one of the POTUS’s best tools
o Ex: Presidents have 10 days to sign or veto, threat of veto, line-item veto
Economic Planner
 The presidential role of chief economic planner has developed over time
 FDR led Americans to expect presidential involvement over the economy
o Ex: The New Deal greatly increased Federal involvement in the
economy
 Congress has passed several laws increasing the economic power of presidents
o Ex: Banking Act and Employment Act
 One economic duty of the president is the preparation of an annual budget
(separating the programs to support and the ones to cut completely or cut
funding from.)
Party Leader
 The president serves as leader of his or her political party
o Ex: Speeches, Fund-Raisers, Selects the National Chair
 Presidents use political patronage to reward party members who have helped
them win election
 The president’s roles as party leader and leader of the United States can
conflict with one another.
Qualifications for the Presidency
 The president must be a natural-born citizen, at least 35y/o, and a US resident
for at least 14 years before taking office -Article II Section I
 Informal requirements include experience in government and moderate
political beliefs. Extremely liberal or conservative candidates have little
chance of being elected
o Ex: Trump was the first president with no earlier government experience
 Presidents have all been male, Christian, married, and financially successful.
45 out of 46 presidents have been white.
 Modern presidential candidates must have strong financial support from a
large number of people
o Ex: Obama raised $722,400,000
 The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) regulates campaign finance
legislation
Leadership Skills
 The powers and duties of the president have grown steadily over the years
 Presidents are expected to exhibit strong leadership skills to solve the nations
economic and social problems
o Ex: Introducing bold new policy (Truman), responding to crises,
problems, or opportunities as the occur
 Successful Presidents…
 … have a genuine feel for the hopes, fears, and moods of the nation.
o Ex: Hoover failed to understand wat the American people wanted, FDR
becomes president by a landslide
 … communicate effectively and inspire/persuade the public.
o Ex: FDR’s Fireside Chats, Reagan is “The Great Communicator”
 … have a keen sense of timing
o Ex: Public response to the issue may influence whether the president
pursues, delays, or quietly drops a policy initiative
 …are able to compromise
o Ex: Wilson and Treaty of Versailles, League of Nations
 Political courage to make unpopular decisions
o Lincoln & Slavery, Preserving the Union
o Nixon & Relations with China
o Clinton & Welfare Reorganization
Terms, Salaries, and Benefits
 The precedent of serving two four-year terms was set by George Washington,
not the Constitution
 The 22nd Amendment (2-Term Limit) was passed following FDR’s four
consecutive terms during WWII
 According to the Constitution, presidential compensation is determined by
Congress
o $400,000/yr. - Salary
o $100,000/yr. - Travel
o $50,000/yr. – Expenses
 A number of benefits are attached to the office of the president
o Access to Air Force One
o Domestic Staff
o $199,700/yr. pension
o Lifetime protection by the Secret Service
The Vice President
 The first constitutional duty of the VP is to succeed the President if needed
 The second constitutional duty is presiding over the Senate and voting to
break a tie
 The VP helps determine the capacity of the President to carry out Presidential
duties
 Additional responsibilities of a modern VP depend on the needs of their
President
Succession
 The 25th Amendment clarified the succession to the Presidency and Vice
Presidency
 Section II: Whenever there is a vacancy in the Office of the Vice President, the
President shall nominate a VP who shall take office upon confirmation by a
majority vote of both houses.
 The Succession Act of 1947 established the Presidential Succession
 The 25th Amendment cover succession in the event of death or disability of a
president
Line of Presidential Succession
1. Vice President
2. Speaker of the House
3. Senate P.P.T.
4. Secretary of State
5. Secretary of the Treasury
6. Secretary of Defense
7. Attorney General
8. Secretary of the Interior
9. Secretary of Agriculture
10. Secretary of Commerce
11. Secretary of Labor
12. Secretary of Health
13. Secretary of Housing
14. Secretary of Transportation
15. Secretary of Education
16. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
17. Secretary of Homeland Security