Lesson 8
How does the Executive Branch carry out laws?
Remember the Constitution? Remember the 3 branches of government? Good.
Do you remember what each branch does? Here's a overly simplified explanation:
Executive: enforces laws
Judicial: interprets laws
Legislative: comes up with laws
But The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land and all the branches of government are supposed to adhere to it.
Let's focus on the Executive Branch for a minute. The branch is made up of the President, the Vice President, and Cabinet Members.
Do you remember what each branch does? Here's a overly simplified explanation:
Executive: enforces laws
Judicial: interprets laws
Legislative: comes up with laws
But The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land and all the branches of government are supposed to adhere to it.
Let's focus on the Executive Branch for a minute. The branch is made up of the President, the Vice President, and Cabinet Members.
The cabinet is actually made up of the President, Vice President, and the Leaders of each of the Departments. The leader of each department has the title of 'Secretary'. Like 'Secretary of Homeland Defense'. The President appoints these secretaries, and the Senate has to approve them.
Inside each department there are more members. The job of each department is to advise the President so he can make informed decisions.
So we mentioned above that it's the job of the Executive Branch to carry out laws. How is that done?
Let's compare some of the procedures to this video clip:
Inside each department there are more members. The job of each department is to advise the President so he can make informed decisions.
So we mentioned above that it's the job of the Executive Branch to carry out laws. How is that done?
Let's compare some of the procedures to this video clip:
This is an exaggerated and unrealistic analogy of the how Departments and the Cabinet function- but it might help you understand a little bit of how the political process works. I'll put the real terms (the ones the United States uses) in bold so you don't get confused on what concept is real and what concept is just in Harry Potter.
In the clip Dolores Umbridge is stationed at Hogwarts to 'oversee' the school. We can compare her to the role of 'Secretary of Education'. The Department of Education is one of the departments that belong to the Executive Branch.
Their role is not spelled out in the Constitution, the Departments function as 'advisors' and 'overseers' of their respective areas. Also they are in charge of enforcing laws- making sure they're followed.
In the video clip Professor Umbridge was assessing the situation at the school and supposedly reporting back to the 'Minister of Magic' who in this case we'll compare to the President. When informed of the situation at the school the 'President' could then issue an Executive Order. An Executive Order is written by the President of the United States and immediately becomes law. This Executive Order has to be backed by the Constitution or a previous law that Congress had made. He can't make up his own rules and write an Executive Order, he has to follow the rules already put in place. The Supreme Court can over-rule an executive order by declaring it 'Unconstitutional'---we'll look at this a more in the next lesson.
So we'll compare the 'Educational Decrees' in the video clip to an 'Executive Order'. He then could give the 'Secretary of Education' authority to enforce those orders. And this is what Professor Umbridge does in the video clip. She walks around enforcing the rules.
If you're still confused on what the Departments in the Executive Branch do, take a look at this explanation of what they do written by one of the Departments, the Department of Education.
If you're still confused on what the Departments in the Executive Branch do, take a look at this explanation of what they do written by one of the Departments, the Department of Education.
So I mentioned that the departments are led by secretaries who are part of the president's cabinet.
How many of these departments are there? 15.
What are these departments? They are listed on this website.
How many of these departments are there? 15.
What are these departments? They are listed on this website.
The question was, how does the executive branch enforce laws? One way is through Executive Orders. The President of the United States is also considered Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. He controls the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and the Navy. Sometimes these are used to enforce laws.
So what's an executive order? I talked a little about it above when I compared it to the 'Educational Decrees' in the clip from Harry Potter. This article explains it further: http://www.cnbc.com/id/101369574
So what's an executive order? I talked a little about it above when I compared it to the 'Educational Decrees' in the clip from Harry Potter. This article explains it further: http://www.cnbc.com/id/101369574
Some argue that the president's ability to issue Executive Orders is Unconstitutional. The Constitution says he has the power to enforce laws, but it doesn't say anything about Executive Orders.
As the article stated, an Executive Order is law. And only the Supreme Court can overturn it. OR another president takes office and 'reverses' the Executive Order. What do you think? Is it necessary for the President to be able to write Executive Orders and make laws?
Take a look at this PREZI presentation. (if the Prezi doesn't work try downloading the PowerPoint below...)
It goes through another specific example of how an Executive Order was used and has become a controversial issue.
It goes through another specific example of how an Executive Order was used and has become a controversial issue.
presentation1.pptx | |
File Size: | 6839 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
assignment 8
1. How does the President's Cabinet work?
2. What are some examples of famous Executive Orders? Give 3 (listed in the CNBC link above)
3. Do you think the president should have the right to issue Executive Orders? Why or why not?
4. If you were to argue the Korematsu v. United States case before the Supreme Court, what side would you be on? What Amendments could you use to defend your argument? (look at PREZI presentation)
5. How is a case brought to the Supreme Court?
2. What are some examples of famous Executive Orders? Give 3 (listed in the CNBC link above)
3. Do you think the president should have the right to issue Executive Orders? Why or why not?
4. If you were to argue the Korematsu v. United States case before the Supreme Court, what side would you be on? What Amendments could you use to defend your argument? (look at PREZI presentation)
5. How is a case brought to the Supreme Court?
Standard 1 Objective 4: C and
Standard 2: Objective 1 B
Standard 2: Objective 1 B