The Presidency in Action Powers of the President

Powers of the President The President has different “types” of power- those listed in the Constitution and those that are not listed

A. The President’s Constitutional Powers 1. Approve or veto acts of Congress 2. Make treaties with other countries 3. Appoint diplomat to foreign countries 4. Appoint Supreme Court justices and federal judges 5. Appoint other government officials 6. Command the nation’s armed services 7. Grant pardons for federal crimes

B. Diplomatic and Military Powers 1.Executive Agreement: an agreement between the chief executives of two nations; does not require senatorial approval 2. Recognition: a practice in which one government acknowledges the legal existence of another

C. Legislative Powers Once Congress passes a law, the president has several choices and 10 days to make a decision. Sign the bill and it can become a law. He may veto the bill. The bill can become law after 10 days with no presidential action. pocket veto line-item veto

D. Judicial Powers Pardon- release from legal punishment. Reprieve- postponement of legal punishment. Commutation- reduction of a legal punishment. Amnesty- group pardon These powers focus on forgiving persons who have committed federal crimes against the United States

D. War Powers Act (1973) Within 48 hours after sending American forces into combat, the President must make a full report to Congress. American involvement must end within 60 days unless Congress authorizes a longer period. Congress may end the use of American combat forces at any time by passing a concurrent resolution. **While only Congress can “declare” war this allows a President to “make “ war**

Notable Expansions of Presidential Power The powers of the Presidency have expanded over time. Several Presidents most responsible for Executive expansion include: George Washington Abraham Lincoln Teddy Roosevelt Franklin D. Roosevelt

A. George Washington Washington established the “Cabinet” He also set the precedent that power is vested in the office NOT the individual Interesting Fact: Washington only used the veto twice. He asserted that laws passed by Congress should be respected as the will of the people.

B. Abraham Lincoln assumed powers that no President before him had claimed, partly because of the emergency created by the Civil War. He suspended HABEAS CORPUS (the right to an appearance in court). He ignored Congress by expanding the size of the army and ordering blockades of southern ports without the consent of Congress

C. Teddy Roosevelt Roosevelt expanded Executive Power through aggressive executive action. He thought that the President had the right to use any and all powers unless they were specifically denied to him Over the course of his eight years in office, Roosevelt issued more than 1,000 executive orders nearly 10 times as many as his predecessor, William McKinley.

D. Franklin D. Roosevelt  Roosevelt gained power through his New Deal programs to regulate the economy, and the war required that he lead the country in foreign affairs as well The New Deal effectively tripled the size of the executive branch by creating hundreds of new government programs.(All under the jurisdiction of the President)

Roles of the President The President also fulfills several “roles” as the leader of the most powerful nation on earth. Some roles have concrete responsibilities while others are more abstract.

The Roles of the President Chief of State: This role requires a president to be an inspiring example for the American people. In some nations, the chief of state is a king or a queen who wears a crown on special occasions, celebrates national holidays, and stands for the highest values and ideals of the country. As the American Chief of State, the president is a living symbol of the nation. It is considered great honor for any citizen to shake the president's hand.

Roles of President: Chief Executive: Chief Diplomat: The president is the "boss" for millions of government workers in the Executive Branch. He or she decides how the laws of the United States are to be enforced and chooses officials and advisors to help run the Executive Branch. Chief Diplomat: The president decides what American diplomats and ambassadors shall say to foreign governments. With the help of advisors, the president makes the foreign policy of the United States.

Roles of the President Commander-In-Chief Legislative Leader The president is in charge of the U.S. Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps. The president decides where troops shall be stationed, where ships shall be sent, and how weapons shall be used. All military generals and admirals take their orders from the president. Legislative Leader Only Congress has the actual power to make laws, but the Constitution gives the president power to influence Congress in its lawmaking. Presidents may urge Congress to pass new laws or veto bills that they do not favor.

Roles of the President Chief of Party Gaurdian of the Economy In this role, the president helps members of his or her political party get elected or appointed to office. The president campaigns for those members who have supported his or her policies. At the end of a term, the president may campaign for reelection. Gaurdian of the Economy In this role, the president is concerned with such things as unemployment, high prices, taxes, business profits, and the general prosperity of the country. The president does not control the economy, but is expected to help it run smoothly.