Title: Executive Branch | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
Headings: Executive Branch
Executive Branch
The Executive Branch
Introduction
The “Vesting Clause”
“The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.” Article II, § 1.
Commander-in-Chief Clause
Reprieve and Pardon Power
Treaty Clause
Appointments Clause
Take Care Clause
“ [The president] shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” Article II, § 3.

Content: Article II also creates the office of Vice President of the United States, who is elected alongside the President (for more detail on the presidential election, see “Electoral College” and Amendment XII of the United States Constitution) and is first in the line of succession to the Presidency in the event that the President dies, leaves office, or somehow becomes unable to serve during the term of office. Additionally, the Vice President serves in a legislative capacity as President of the Senate (see “Congress”). Apart from these official duties, Vice Presidents historically have served unofficial roles, which vary from presidency to presidency. Serving immediately beneath the president is the Cabinet of the United States, which is comprised of the senior-most officers in the executive branch. In addition to their official duties as heads of the various executive branch departments, Cabinet-members advise the President on various matters. The Cabinet-members are as follows: Vice President
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
In addition, there are several officers that have Cabinet-rank: White House Chief of Staff
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Director of the Office of Management & Budget
United States Trade Representative
Ambassador of the United States to the United Nations
Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
Administrator of the Small Business Administration
Unlike the President and Vice President, Cabinet-members are not elected; rather, they are appointed through nomination by the President and subsequent confirmation by the Senate. The rest of the executive branch is made up of the various departments and independent federal agencies, which aid the President in carrying out the duties of the executive branch.