Executive Branch

The executive branch is in charge of "executing" the laws made by congress. The President is commander-in-chief- of the military, and possess the main powers of the executive branch. The Cabinet is made of the Vice President, and 15 head members of different departments. Their role is to advse the President.

President of the United States-he can sign legislation into law or to veto bills enacted by Congress. However, Congress may override a veto with a two-thirds vote of both houses. The Executive Branch conducts diplomacy with other nations, and the President has the power to negotiate and can sign treaties. This also must be ratified by two-thirds of the Senate. The President can issue executive orders, which direct executive officers or clarify and further existing laws. He also has unlimited power to extend pardons for federal crimes, except when he is being impeached.

Barack Obama

Vice President of the United States -He has to be ready at a moment's notice to step in to be the new President if the President is unable to perform his duties. Causes might be the President's death, resignation, or temporary incapacitation, or if the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet judge that the President is no longer able to discharge the duties of the presidency, such as when he is impeached.

Joseph R. Biden

Cabinet - Cabinet members are the President's confidants. Other than running major federal agencies, they also 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 to the cabinet members. Next in line after the Senate President are the Cabinet offices in the order in which the departments were created.

Department of State
Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton

Department of the Treasury
Secretary Timothy F. Geithner

Department of Defense
Secretary Robert M. Gates

Department of Justice
Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Department of the Interior
Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar

Department of Agriculture
Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack

Department of Commerce
Secretary Gary F. Locke

Department of Labor
Secretary Hilda L. Solis

Department of Health and Human Services
Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Department of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary Shaun L.S. Donovan

Department of Transportation
Secretary Ray LaHood

Department of Energy
Secretary Steven Chu

Department of Education
Secretary Arne Duncan

Department of Veterans Affairs
Secretary Eric K. Shinseki

Department of Homeland Security
Secretary Janet A. Napolitano

The following positions have the status of Cabinet-rank:

White House Interim Chief of Staff
Bill Daley

Environmental Protection Agency
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson

Office of Management & Budget
Jacob J. Lew, Director

United States Trade Representative
Ambassador Ronald Kirk

United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Ambassador Susan Rice

Council of Economic Advisers
Chairman Austan Goolsbee