The Presidency in Action

1. The Presidency in Action Chapter 14

2. The Changing View of Presidential Power • Article II of the Constitution • Is called the Executive Article • The presidency has become powerful over time because • The President is the executive branch’s single strong leader • American life is more complex so people look to the President for leadership, especially in the areas like • The economy • Healthcare

3. In national emergencies, the President is the Commander in Chief so he can take decisive actions • Congress has passed laws expanding the president’s power because • Due to time constraints, they need the president to decide how to enforce laws • The president can use the media to capture public attention

4. The President’s Executive Powers • The Executive Powers come from • The Constitution • The Oath of Office • The Ordinance Power • He can issue executive orders which are directives, rules, or regulations that have the effect of law • The Constitution doesn’t expressly give this power to the president but Congress backs up this implied power

5. Appointment power • The president can appoint • Ambassadors and other diplomats • Cabinet members and their top aids • Heads of independent agencies • All federal judges, U.S. marshals, and attorneys • All officers in the armed forces • These appointments must be approved by the Senate • The president can fire only those he has appointed • He cannot fire the federal judges he has appointed

6. Diplomatic and Military Powers • The President is in charge of foreign affairs for the U.S. • He can make treaties which must be approved by the Senate • To avoid Senate approval, the President can make an executive agreement • The President has the power to recognize countries by receiving their ambassadors and/or diplomats • To show disapproval of a country the President can send ambassadors and diplomat home. Doing this labels these people as persona non grata, or unwelcomed

7. The President can wage war even though he cannot declare war • The Vietnam War brought on the War Powers Resolution of 1973 which the President must meet the following requirements if he sends troops into combat: • The President must notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops into combat • He must withdraw the troops within 60 days • He can ask for a 30 day extension to withdraw the troops safely

8. Legislative and Judicial Powers • Legislative Powers • The president can propose laws • In the annual State of the Union Address • In the annual Budget Plan • In the economic report • Once Congress passes a bill, the President has 10 days to act on it. He can • Sign it into law • Veto it and kill it • Pocket Veto it and kill it if there are less than 10 days left in the Congressional session • Ignore it and let it become law without his signature if there are more than 10 days left in the Congressional session

9. Judicial Powers • The President has the power of clemency which means he can grant certain things to those accused of federal crimes • Pardon is a formal forgiveness of the crime • Reprieve is a postponement of the criminal’s sentence • Commutation is a reduction of a criminal’s sentence • Amnesty is formally forgiving a group of people of a crime