President’s Diplomatic & Military Powers (14.3)

Treaties Treaty – formal agreement b/w 2 or more countries – Have same legal standing as acts passed by Congress Congress has power to abrogate (to repeal) treaties if a provision is found to be in conflict w/federal law – Never happened in U.S. history

Treaties Requires ___ senate approval – ___ creates potential for small minority to kill a possible treaty 1920 – S rejected Treaty of Versailles – Treaty officially ended WWI – S rejected it b/c of its provisions on the League of Nations

Treaties 1845 – Senate defeated Texas annexation treaty – Tyler called for a joint resolution on the Texas issue, which required only a majority vote in each house 234 representatives = 117 required for majority 54 senators = 27 required for majority 2/3 senate approval = 36 required to pass treaty

Executive Agreements Pact b/w the P and head of another country – Do not require Senate approval Has been used to help supply countries fighting in wars – U.S. supplied naval ships to U.K. during WWII in exchange for using bases along the eastern Canadian coast

Commander in Chief Congress has power to declare war; P makes the ultimate military decision – P delegates authority to appropriate military counsel  not required to Washington: 1 st P to lead federal troops into battle during Whiskey Rebellion (1794) Why would the P visit w/American troops during a war?

Undeclared War P can use troops to fight a war w/o Congress’ permission – 1798: Adams sent naval warships to fight French in Atlantic in the Quasi-War – Early 1800s: Jefferson & Madison sent naval ships to fight Barbary Coast pirates in Tripoli Korean War ( ) & Vietnam War ( ) were undeclared wars

Undeclared War War Powers Resolution (1973) – P can sent troops into an area where a battle/war has started for 60 days – P must notify Congress w/i 48 hrs. of sending troops – P must report to Congress for a 30-day extension – Congress can end troop any time Congress has power to declare war, raise/support soldiers, and control funding for the war – Congress check P’s power by restricting funding for troops

President’s Legislative & Judicial Powers (14.4)

Recommending Legislation P sends 3 major messages to Congress each yr. – State of the Union – P’s budget message – Annual economic report

Judicial Powers Reprieve – Postponing a sentence Pardon – Legal forgiveness for a crime – Must be accepted by the person being pardoned Commutation – Reducing length of sentence or fine imposed by court Amnesty – Blanket pardon for group of law violaters Applies to federal crimes ONLY