1. The Presidency in Action
Chapter 14

2. The Growth of Presidential Power
Section 1
The Growth of Presidential Power
Single head of the executive branch
Influence themselves
Social and economic problems
Look to the President for leadership
National emergencies and war
Congress has delegated substantial authority
Can attract and hold publics attention
Mass media

3. The Presidential View
The nature of the presidency depends on how each President views the office and exercises its power.
Two Views:
Some Presidents, such as Teddy Roosevelt, have taken a broad view of the powers they inherited.
Other Presidents, like William Howard Taft, have felt that they cannot exercise any power not specifically granted to them.

4. President’s Executive Powers
Section 2
President’s Executive Powers
President executes (enforces, administers, carries out) the provisions of federal law
The oath of office instructs the President to carry out the laws of the land
The other provision is the Constitution’s command that “he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed”

5. The Ordinance Power
Executive branch is under the authority of the President
President has the authority to issue executive orders, which have the force of law
Power to issue these orders arises from two sources: the Constitution and acts of Congress

6. The Appointing Power
President may appoint a handful of officials on his own authority
Important offices include:
Appointments must be approved by Senate

7. The Removal Power Impeachment process
Constitution does not say how or by whom appointed officials may be dismissed
In general, the President may remove any appointees except federal judges.

8. Tenure of Office Act (1867)
Any person appointed by the President w/Senate approval could not be removed until a successor had been picked by the Senate

9. Myers V. United States (1926)
Found 1876 law to be unconstitutional
Court ruled that the power to remove was an essential part of the executive power

10. Humphrey’s Executor V. United States (1935)
Law provides that a member of the commission may be removed only for “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office”
Court did say Congress had the right to determine the conditions that a person may be removed from the commission

11. Diplomatic and Military Powers
Section 3
Diplomatic and Military Powers
President has power to make treaties
Treaty is a formal agreement between two or more sovereign states
All treaties must be approved by two thirds vote in the Senate
ONLY Senate may ratify or disapprove treaties
Turned down the Treaty of Versailles because it contained a clause for a League of Nations

12. Executive Agreements
An agreement between the President and the head of a foreign state
Does not require approval from the Senate
Main difference between a treaty and executive agreement is that it lasts only as long as the executives who made the deal are in office.

13. The Power of Recognition
U.S. President will acknowledge the legal existence of another country and its gov’t
Does not mean we approve of the conduct and character of another
Show displeasure w/a country by asking them to recall of that nations ambassador or other diplomatic in this country
Persona non grata – unwelcome person

14. Commander-In-Chief President is Commander-in-chief
Shares the war powers with Congress
President has final say on all military matters in the U.S.
Only Congress can declare war
President has often used military w/o formal declaration of war
President has greater power during war than during peace
President may use armed forces to keep the peace in times of domestic upheaval

15. Section 4
Chief Legislative
President uses the “message power” to influence legislation
State of the Union
Budget message
Annual economic report
President also recommends specific legislation to Congress

16. President has the power to veto legislation
Major weapon the President has
To override the veto takes two-thirds vote of both Houses
May only veto entire bill, not a portion of a bill
President may call special sessions of Congress
President may also adjourn Congress

17. Judicial Powers Presidents may grant clemency on federal laws only
Reprieve – postponement of the execution of a sentence
Pardon – legal forgiveness of a crime
Government may grant clemency in cases involving state law

18. President may also commute sentences and grant amnesty
Commutation – power to reduce the length of a sentence or fine that has been imposed on someone
Amnesty – general pardon offered to group of law violators

19. Cabinet
Informal advisory group brought together to serve the President
Not created by Constitution
15 Cabinet Positions
State Treasury
Defense Attorney General
Interior Agriculture
Commerce Labor
Energy Education
Transportation 15. Veteran Affairs
Health and Human Services
Housing and Urban Development
Homeland Security

20. Cabinet’s Role Advisers to the President
Some Presidents have placed more importance on their cabinets than others