U.S Institution: EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIARY IN THE UNITED STATES PART II The president is the head of the executive branch of the government, which includes many departments and agencies. The president, the Constitution says, must “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” To carry out this responsibility, he presides over the executive branch of the federal government-a vast organization numbering about 3.5 million people, including 1 million active-duty military personnel. In addition, the president has important legislative and judicial powers. Article I requires any bill passed by Congress has to be presented to the president before it can become law. The president has three options. The first option is to sign the legislation; the bill then becomes law. The second option is to veto the legislation and return it to Congress. The bill does not become law unless each house of Congress votes to override the veto by a two-thirds vote. The third option is to take no action. After 10 days, not counting Sundays, two possible outcomes emerge: If Congress is still convened, the bill becomes law. If Congress has adjourned, thus preventing the return of the legislation, the bill does not become law. This latter outcome is known as the pocket veto. Within the executive branch itself, the president has broad powers to manage national affairs and the workings of the federal government. The president can issue rules, regulations, and instructions called executive orders, which have the binding force of law upon federal agencies but do not require congressional approval. As commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the United States, the president may also call into federal service the state units of the National Guard. In times of war or national emergency, the Congress may grant the president even broader powers to manage the national economy and protect the security of the United States. The president nominates and the Senate confirms the heads of all executive departments and agencies, together with hundreds of other high-ranking federal officials. The large majority of federal employees, however, are selected through the Civil Service system, in which appointment and promotion are based on ability and experience.