CHAPTER 7 SECTION 2: THE PRESIDENT’S JOB

The President is the only official of the federal government elected by the entire nation. The President is a symbol of the entire nation. The President is the most powerful public official in the US

DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT: The President’s main job is to EXECUTE, OR CARRY OUT, the laws passed by Congress.

Article II of the Constitution gives the President his/her power to: Veto, or reject, bills passed in Congress Serve as commander in chief of the armed forces Receive leaders and other officials of foreign countries Make treaties with other countries (with Senate approval) Appoint heads of executive agencies, federal court judges, ambassadors and other top gov’t officials (with Senate approval) Pardon or reduce the penalties against people convicted of federal crimes

The Constitution also requires the president to give Congress information about the “state of the union”. The President provides Congress with the “State of the Union Address” at the beginning of each new year.

ROLES OF THE PRESIDENT:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE  Most important job? Carry out the nation’s laws  To do this the President is in charge of 15 cabinet departments and approx. 3 million civilians who work for the federal government  Use of Executive Orders  Executive orders – rule or command that has the force of law  Example – Harry Truman issued an executive order in 1948 to integrate the armed forces  Power of Appointment  Power to appoint judges to the Supreme court and other federal courts  Power to Grant Pardons  Pardon – declaration of forgiveness and freedom from punishment  Reprieve – order to delay a person’s punishment until a higher court can hear the case  Grant Amnesty – Pardon to a group of people

CHIEF DIPLOMAT – Directs the foreign policy of the US; makes key decisions how the US acts toward other countries in the world

COMMANDER IN CHIEF – leader of the armed forces (army, navy, air force, marines and coast guard)  Gives President the ability to back up foreign policy decisions with force  President shares with Congress the ability to make war  Congress declares war (War of 1812, Mexican War, Spanish American War, WWI and WWII)  Only the President can order American soldiers into battle. (Has sent troops into action without declaring war over 150 times. Example – Korea and Vietnam)  1973 – War Powers Resolution Passed by Congress; President must notify Congress within 48 hrs when troops are sent into battle. Troops must be brought home within 60 days unless Congress approves that they stay longer

LEGISLATIVE LEADER – President is expected to propose the legislation it would like to see enacted  Makes speeches to build support for legislative programs  Tries to persuade senators and representatives to support proposed laws

HEAD OF STATE – Living symbol of the nation  Aids in diplomacy (greeting visiting kings/queens, prime ministers and other foreign leaders)  Carries out ceremonial functions (lighting national Christmas tree; giving medals to the country’s heroes)

ECONOMIC LEADER  Expected to deal with unemployment, rising prices and high taxes  Plans the federal government’s budget (decide what programs to support and what to cut)

PARTY LEADER  Leader of his/her political party  Gives speeches to help fellow party members running for office  Also helps the party raise money