The Executive Branch
The executive branch is explained under Article II of the Constitution. The executive branch consists of the president, the vice president, and the 15 executive departments. The heads of these departments are called secretaries and make up the Cabinet. The Cabinet advises the president and vice president on executive decisions. The main responsibility of the executive branch is to enforce the laws passed by congress. To run for president or become vice president, they must be 35 years old or older, must be born in the United States, and must be a resident for 14 years. The president serves 4 years per term and can run for 2 terms. The president has the power to veto laws, grand pardons, command the U.S. armed forces, and issue executive orders, or commands that have the power of law. To keep other branches in check, the president can veto laws passed by the congress if he disagrees with them. The congress would need a two-thirds majority vote in order to override the veto. Presidents can also be impeached by the House of Representatives to be tried of crimes against the country. If impeached, presidents would be tried by the Senate.