The President is the head of the executive branch
and plays a large role in making America’s laws. His job is to approve
the laws that Congress creates. When the Senate and the House approve
a bill, they send it to the President. If he agrees with the law, he
signs it and the law goes into effect.

If the President does not like a bill, he can refuse
to sign it. When he does this, it is called a veto.
If the President vetoes a bill, it will most likely never become a law.
Congress can override a veto, but to do so two-thirds of the Members
of Congress must vote against the President.

Despite all of his power, the President cannot write
bills. He can propose a bill, but a member of Congress must submit it
for him.

In addition to playing a key role in the lawmaking
process, the President has several duties. He serves as the American
Head of State, meaning that he meets with the leaders of other countries
and can make treaties with them. However, the Senate must approve any
treaty before it becomes official.

The President is also the Chief of the Government.
That means that he is technically the boss of every government worker.

Also, the President is the official head of the U.S.
military. He can authorize the use of troops overseas without declaring
war. To officially declare war, though, he must get the approval of
the Congress.

The President and the Vice-President are the only
officials chosen by the entire country. Not just anyone can be President,
though. In order to be elected, one must be at least 35 years old. Also,
each candidate must be a natural-born U.S. citizen and have lived in
the U.S. for at least 14 years. When elected, the President serves a
term of four years. The most one President can serve is two terms, for
a total of eight years.

Before 1951, the President could serve for as many
terms as he wanted. However, no one had tried. After two terms as President,
George Washington chose not to run again. All other Presidents followed
his example until Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt successfully ran
for office four times. Early in his fourth term, he died, in 1945. Six
years later, Congress passed the 22nd Amendment, which limits
Presidents to two terms.