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Presidential Leadership: The Shared Powers of Congress. Chapter 13 – The Presidency . Chief Legislator . Veto : The president can send a bill back to Congress with his reasons for rejecting it. It may be overridden with 2/3 support of both Houses.
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Presidential Leadership: The Shared Powers of Congress Chapter 13 – The Presidency
Chief Legislator • Veto: The president can send a bill back to Congress with his reasons for rejecting it. It may be overridden with 2/3 support of both Houses. • Pocket Veto: A president can let a bill die by not signing it when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill. • Line Item Veto: ability to veto parts of a bill—denied to the president in Clinton v. City of NY
Chief Legislator • Signing Statement: • Pronouncements issued by a president when he signs a bill into law • Used to comment on the law, comment on their interpretation of the law, assert constitutional objections, or announce how the executive branch will (or will not) administer the law • Increased reliance on unitary executive model • Click here to view Obama’s statement on signing the 2009 stimulus bill into law
Chief Legislator • Executive Privilege • Is the president required to divulge private communication between himself and his advisors? • U.S. v. Nixon (1974): The president is entitled to receive confidential advice, but he can be required to reveal material related to a criminal prosecution.
Chief Legislator • Impoundment of Funds • Presidents have refused to spend money appropriated by Congress • Budget Act of 1974 • Requires presidents to spend funds appropriated by Congress unless he informs Congress and they delay to delete the spending. Congress can pass a resolution requiring the immediate release of money.
Party Leadership • The Bonds of Party • Being in the president’s party creates a psychological bond between legislators and presidents, increasing agreement. • Slippage in Party Support • Presidents cannot always count on party support, especially on controversial issues.
Party Leadership • Leading the Party • Presidents can offer party candidates support and punishment by withholding favors. • Presidential coattails occur when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president’s party because they support the president. Races are rarely won in this way.
Public Support • Public Approval • A source of presidential leadership of Congress • Public approval gives the president leverage, not command; it does not guarantee success • Mandates • Perception that the voters strongly support the president’s character and policies • Mandates are infrequent, but presidents claim a mandate anyway
Legislative Skill • Bargaining: concessions for votes, occurs infrequently • Being strategic, presidents increase chances for success by exploiting “honeymoon” at beginning of term • Presidents may set priorities to influence Congress’ agenda; president is nation’s key agenda builder • Skills must compete with other factors that may affect Congress; they are not at the core of presidential leadership of Congress