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To show you that constitutional law is about more than just the judicial branch of government, here are five individuals who play a major constitutional role in our legal system, two from the legislative branch and three from the executive branch.
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To show you that constitutional law is about more than just the judicial branch of government, here are five individuals who play a major constitutional role in our legal system, two from the legislative branch and three from the executive branch.
As you know, the Senate must confirm a President’s judicial appointments, as well as Cabinet members, ambassadors, etc. Anyone the President appoints to a federal court must have a confirmation hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Judiciary Committee is chaired by a Vermont Democrat named Patrick Leahy.
The ranking Republican, who chaired the committee before 2007, is Pennsylvania’s own Arlen Specter.
Meanwhile, President Obama has chosen Eric Holder for Attorney-General, one of the top five positions in the Cabinet. Holder, who led the defense of President Bill Clinton during 1998 impeachment hearings, is in charge of all federal prosecutors: he runs the Justice Department.
Eric Holder, U.S. AttorneyGeneral
Then there’s the solicitor general, a position only created in 1870, whose specific duty is representing the executive branch of the United States in court whenever the President or a direct subordinate is sued for a public matter. In a sense she or he is the President’s spokesperson before the Supreme Court. Obama just appointed Elena Kagan, who had previously been Dean of the Harvard Law School.
The Office of Counsel to the President is responsible for advising on all legal aspects of policy questions, legal issues arising in connection with the President's decision to sign or veto legislation, ethical questions, financial disclosures, and conflicts of interest during employment and post employment. The Counsel's Office also helps define the line between official and political activities, oversees executive appointments and judicial selection, handles Presidential pardons, reviews legislation and Presidential statements, and handles lawsuits against the President in his role as President. The new W.H. Counsel is Greg Craig.
