Essential Question How much power does the President have?

Presidential Powers

Presidential Power Often called “the most powerful office in the world” What does this mean?

Executive Power Single commanding chief executive People look to the President for leadership in all matters

Theodore Roosevelt “My view was that every executive officer … was a steward of the people bound actively and affirmatively to do all that he could for the people.”

William Howard Taft “The President can exercise no power which cannot be fairly and reasonably traced to some specific grant of power or justly implied and included within such express grant.”

Cuban Missile Crisis 1962 Soviets building missile sites in Cuba 90 miles from the U.S.

John F. Kennedy Soviets transporting missiles to Cuba across the Atlantic President quarantined Cuba US Navy intercepted Soviet ships

Cuban Missile Crisis 13-day standoff in the Atlantic Soviets agreed to remove missiles US agreed to respect Cuba’s sovereignty

Importance? Growing importance of presidential decision-making in international conflicts

The Great Society Goal of eliminating poverty and racial injustice

Lyndon B. Johnson Expanded the role of the presidency for domestic issues

The Great Society Civil Rights Act (1964) Voting Rights Act (1965) Medicare Head Start Promoted this legislation and Congress passed

Lyndon B. Johnson Increased US involvement in Vietnam No declaration of war

War Powers Act Congress passed this act over a veto from Richard Nixon With Vietnam, many felt Congress had too little power over foreign policy

War Powers Act (1973) President must consult with Congress before sending troops into areas with hostilities Congress must approve with 60 days

Gulf War Iraq invaded Kuwait George H.W. Bush asked for Congress’ support Congress authorized Operation Desert Storm

Actions in Bosnia Breakup of Yugoslavia Bill Clinton used armed forces in Bosnia and Croatia