U.S. GOVERNMENT | A resilient balance of institutions
28 June 2008
The Presidency
Facts about the office of the U.S. presidency
(The following article is taken from the U.S. Department of State publication, Outline of U.S. Government.)
Term of Office: Elected by the people, through the electoral college, to a four-year term; limited to two terms.
Salary: $400,000 per year as of January 20, 2001.
Inauguration: January 20, following the November general election.
Qualifications: Native-born American citizen, at least 35 years old, and at least 14 years a resident of the United States.
Chief Duty: To protect the Constitution and enforce the laws made by the Congress.
Other Powers: To recommend legislation to the Congress; to call special sessions of the Congress; to deliver messages to the Congress; to sign or veto legislation; to appoint federal judges; to appoint heads of federal departments and agencies and other principal federal officials; to appoint representatives to foreign countries; to carry on official business with foreign nations; to exercise the function of commander-in-chief of the armed forces; to grant pardons for offenses against the United States.
