So much to do…and so little time…

The President’s powers can be broken down into a few major categories: 1. Executive 2. Diplomatic and Military 3. Legislative 4. Judicial

The Executive Article of The Constitution. Article II reads: “The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.” Decided: There will be a single, unifying figure who holds the executive powers.

The Office of the President has strengthened over time, meaning Presidential power has grown. Why? As the U.S. became more industrialized, people demanded that the Federal Government pay closer attention to these new developments. Think: transportation, health care, the environment, etc. When national emergencies arise, the President must make quick decisions. Wars, the September 11 th terrorist attacks, and Hurricane Sandy are good examples.

The oath of office is sworn by the President: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United Sates, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States” Presidential discretion is the ability of the President to choose how strictly he or she enforces a law. The Constitution requires the President to execute ALL laws, whether they agree with it or not, but…

Executive Order- a directive, rule, or regulation that has the effect of law Orders cover lots of things—especially establishing specialized committees and councils. Ordinance power- the power of the President to issue these orders Why might the President want to set up specialized committees and councils?

Appointment Power- with Senate consent, the President names most of the top-ranking officers of the Federal Government Ambassadors and other diplomats Cabinet members and their top aids Heads of key independent agencies, like NASA and EPA All federal judges and justices, U.S. marshals, and attorneys All officers in the armed forces

Removal Power- power NOT found in the Constitution Historically controversial! General rule: the President may remove those whom the President appoints. Officials usually end up resigning before the President officially removes them

Treaty- a formal agreement between two or more sovereign states The President has the power to make treaties, but they must be approved by the Senate (2/3 rds vote) Treaties have the same legal standing as acts passed by Congress—they are just as “official”

Executive Agreement- an agreement made between the President and the leader of a foreign state. They are commonly used for routine international agreements that coincide with laws already passed by Congress. These agreements DO NOT have to be approved by the Senate. What are some advantages of not needing to get Senate approval?

Power of Recognition- the ability to officially acknowledge the legal existence of a country and its government Done by officially receiving diplomats from that country Means that the US accepts that country as “an equal” in the family of nations Persona non grata- a foreign official who is being asked to leave by the President of the United States Used very rarely as a harsh punishment for inappropriate conduct by a foreign nation Basically withdraws recognition of that country

As Commander in Chief… The President has nearly unlimited power The President delegates much of their command authority to subordinates (Generals and other officers) The President has final responsibility for all military matters Ways our military gets involved 1. President sends them 2. Congressional Resolutions- Congress authorizes the President to use military force Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq

War Powers Resolution Passed by Congress in 1973 Designed to place limits on the President’s war- making powers Requires that: 1. The President make a detailed report to Congress within 48 hours of committing American forces to combat abroad 2. The combat commitment end within 60 days, unless Congress agrees to longer. 3. Congress may end the combat commitment at any time by passing a resolution

Two main Legislative powers of the President: 1. Recommends Legislation 2. Veto Power

Recommends Legislation- encourages Congress to enact laws he thinks to be necessary for the good of the country Uses events like the annual State of the Union address to send these messages What document gives the President the power to make these recommendations?

Veto Power- the ability to return a bill to Congress unsigned All items passed through Congress MUST be presented to the President Options: 1. Sign the bill  it becomes law 2. Veto  bill returned to Congress, BUT Congress can override the veto with a 2/3rds vote in EACH of its two chambers 3. Abstain from doing anything  bill becomes law after 10 days (rarely happens) 4. Pocket Veto  used at the end of a Congressional session; if there are fewer than 10 days left “in session”, the President can leave the bills alone and they will “die”

When a President decides to veto a bill, he must reject the entire measure. He cannot just veto certain parts. Line-item veto- the ability to cancel specific dollar amounts (line items) in spending bills enacted by Congress The President DOES NOT have this power, but many have wanted it. If the President could veto specific items, what would this do to Presidential power?

President can: Call special sessions of Congress Last time was President Truman in 1948 to discuss post- WWII money issues Adjourn Congress whenever the two houses cannot agree on a date for adjournment (SEND THEM HOME) Has never had to happen

Powers of Clemency- powers of mercy or leniency, to be used only in federal offenses Reprieve- a postponement of the execution of a sentence Usually done so the accused can appeal the verdict (especially in Death Penalty cases) Pardon- legal forgiveness of a crime and the penalty associated with it The President can pardon people who have committed a Federal offense; the Governor deals with state matters The offender must ACCEPT the pardon in order for it to be valid.

Most famous Presidential pardon: President Gerald Ford pardoned the resigned President Nixon for the Watergate scandal “for all offenses against the United States…which he has committed or may have committed…from January 20, 1969-August 9, 1974”

Conditional pardons-when the pardon’s effectiveness depends on fulfillment of a condition by the offender, usually a lesser punishment You will be pardoned if you… Power of Commutation- the power to reduce the length of a sentence or fine imposed by the court

Power of Amnesty- a blanket pardon offered to a group of law breakers In 1977, President Carter granted amnesty to all Vietnam War draft evaders.