The Executive Departments and Presidential Succession

Executive Departments: The Executive Branch Enforces or Carries Out

the Law• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_C

abinet• Examples of how this branch carries out laws:

• Congress makes a tax law; the Department of Treasury makes sure people are paying it.

• Congress makes a law that employers must not discriminate against employees on the basis or race, gender etc.-- the Department of Labor makes sure that employers are following the rules

• Congress makes a law that kids must go to school until they’re 16; the Department of Education makes sure this is happening

Presidential SuccessionThe line of succession is currently: • Vice President • Speaker of the House • President Pro Tempore of the Senate • Secretary of State • Secretary of the Treasury • Secretary of Defense • Attorney General • Secretary of the Interior • Secretary of Agriculture • Secretary of Commerce • Secretary of Labor • Secretary of Health and Human Services • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development • Secretary of Transportation • Secretary of Energy • Secretary of Education • Secretary of Veterans Affairs • Secretary of Homeland Security

If Vice President dies, President appoints a successor w/ majority approval of Congress. If VP becomes President because President dies, they, as new President, appoints a VP w/ Congress’ approval

Four Presidents have been assassinated:Abraham LincolnJames GarfieldWilliam McKinleyJohn F. Kennedy