Chapter 14 Section 2

1. Chapter 14 Section 2 Objective: To understand the nature and extent of the executive power of the President

2. A. Executing the Law • 1. The President is responsible for carrying out the nation’s laws. • 2. The President must carry out laws with which he disagrees, but he has some discretion in determining how vigorously each law should be enforced.

3. B. The Ordinance Power • 1. The bureaucracy of the executive branch is under the authority of the President – he can issue executive orders that have the force of law. • 2. Executive orders are necessary to the functioning of the executive branch.

4. C. The Appointing Power • 1. The President may appoint a handful of officials on his own authority (Chief of staff, press secretary). • 2. Most of the important officers appointed by the President, including ambassadors, judges, and cabinet members, must be approved by the Senate. • 3. Well over half of the officials in the federal work force are selected through Civil Service exams, and thus are not under the control of the President.

5. D. The Removal Power • 1. Historically, there has been disagreement over whether the President has the power to remove at will persons whom he has appointed with the consent of the Senate. • 2. Congress has generally upheld the President’s power to remove people from office. • 3. Exceptions are federal judges and members of independent regulatory agencies.