1. The Presidency in Action and the Government at work
Chapters 14 and 15
The Presidency in Action and the Government at work

2. Who is this Joel Carter guy?
An easy way to remember the powers of the President is to remember the name Joel Carter.
What does that stand for?
Who is this Joel Carter guy?

3. J JOEL CARTER Judicial Powers
The Constitution gives the President the power to grant reprieves and pardons only in cases involving federal offenses.
A reprieve
The postponement of the execution of a sentence
A pardon
Legal forgiveness of a crime
Clemency
Powers of mercy or leniency J
Judicial Powers
JOEL CARTER

4. O JOEL CARTER Ordinance Power
All 2.7 million government workers are subject to the President’s control
The President has the power to issue executive orders
The power to issue these orders (the ordinance power) arises from two sources
Constitution
Acts of Congress
The President must have the power to implement executive orders and the power to authorize his subordinates it issue such orders.
Example
Executive Order 9066 O
Ordinance Power
JOEL CARTER

5. e JOEL CARTER Executing the Law
The President executes the provisions of federal law.
The power to do so reset on two brief constitutional provisions.
Oath of office
The Constitution’s command
The Constitution requires the President to execute all federal laws no matter what the chief executive’s own views may be. e
Executing the Law
JOEL CARTER

6. L JOEL CARTER Legislative Powers
With his legislative powers the President can have a considerable influence on the actions of Congress – he is in effect the nation’s chief legislator
Recommending Legislation
A series of speeches he gives to Congress urging them to pass laws (1st is state of the union)
Veto power
The President can veto any bill or measure
The Line-Item Veto
In ‘96 it was allowed for the Prez to reject individual items in spending bills but was taken away in ‘98
And others
Only the Prez can call Congress into special session L
Legislative Powers
JOEL CARTER

7. C JOEL CARTER Commander in Chief
The President is the Commander in Chief of the nation’s armed forces
President’s powers as commander in chief are almost without limit
Most Presidents have not become so directly involved in military operations but still have the final authority over and responsibility for all military matters. C
Commander in Chief
JOEL CARTER

8. A JOEL CARTER Appointment Power
Acting alone, the President names only a handful of the 2.7 million federal employees.
With Senate consent, he names most of the top-ranking officers of the Federal Government
Some are:
Ambassadors and other diplomats
Cabinet members and their top aides
The heads of such independent agencies as the EPA and NASA
All federal judges, U.S. marshals, and attorneys
All officers in the armed forces A
Appointment Power
JOEL CARTER

9. R JOEL CARTER Removal Power
The power to remove is as critically important as the power to appoint
The Constitution does not say how or by whom appointed officers may be dismissed.
As a general rule, the President may remove those whom the President appoints R
Removal Power
JOEL CARTER

10. T JOEL CARTER The Power to Make Treaties
A treaty is a formal agreement between two or more sovereign states.
The Prez, usually through the secretary of state, negotiates international agreements
The Senate must give its approval (by 2/3 vote of members present) before a treaty made by the President can become effective T
The Power to Make Treaties
JOEL CARTER

11. E JOEL CARTER Executive Agreements
An executive agreement is a pact between the President and the head of a foreign state, or between their subordinates.
Unlike treaties, executive agreements do not require Senate consent
Example
Destroyers for bases deal of 1940
50 “over-age” destroyers for 99-year leases on naval bases E
Executive Agreements
JOEL CARTER

12. The Islands of Fulkonia
When the President receives the diplomatic representatives of another sovereign state, the President exercises the power of recognition
The President, acting for the United States, acknowledges the legal existence of that country and its government.
He indicates that the U.S. accepts that country as an equal in the family of nations R
The Power of Recognition
JOEL CARTER
The Islands of Fulkonia

13. Requirements to be President
Article II, Section 1 Clause 5 of the Constitution says that the President must:
Be “a natural born Citizen”
Born in the U.S., but it is possible to be born abroad and still be born a U.S. citizen
Be at least 35 years of age
JFK is the youngest at 43 elected, while Theodore Roosevelt was 42 when he reached the presidency by succession
Rappin Ronnie Reagan was 69 when he was elected. He was the oldest person to hold office as he served 8 years
Have lived in the United States for at least 14 years
Hoover and Eisenhower spent several years before election outside the U.S.
Requirements to be President

14. What are some ways that the President’s powers are limited?
Powers are split between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
This ensures no one man or group can have complete control. The president's vetoes can be overrun by congress, their bills can be declared unconstitutional by the supreme court, and they can be impeached by the House of Reps and tried by the Senate
What are some ways that the President’s powers are limited?

15. Which powers are being used by the President in his daily life?
He makes sure that citizens obey laws.
He is in charge of all armed forces.
He makes agreements, called treaties, with other countries.
He decides how America will act toward other countries and he represents our country here and around the world.
When Congress sends him a new law, he may or may not agree to sign it.
He lets Congress know about new laws he thinks should be passed.
Which powers are being used by the President in his daily life?

16. So what would you say ya do here?
The President has many roles which include
Chief of State
Chief Executive
Chief Administrator
Chief Diplomat
Commander in Chief
Chief legislator
Chief of Party
Chief Citizen
So what would you say ya do here?

17. What are the requirements to be President?
Only native-born U.S. citizens (or those born abroad, but only to parents at least one of whom was a U.S. citizen at the time)
One must also be at least 35 years of age to be president. John F. Kennedy was the youngest person to be elected president; he was 43 years old when he was inaugurated in 1961.
Finally, one must live in the United States for at least 14 years to be president
What are the requirements to be President?

18. What is the “Situation Room”?

19. President White House Office Prez’s key personal and staff
Other Appointments
Several important agencies
President
Chief of Staff
Directs all operations of the White House Office
Executive Office
Example:
White House Office
Council of Economic Advisors
Independent Agencies
Example:
CIA, NASA
Executive Agencies
Example:
Department of Labor
The Cabinet

20. The Cabinet