1. Presidential Powers US Government CP
Notes for Chapter 14
Presidential Powers
US Government CP

2. Presidential Powers
Vague – The President’s powers are not detailed in the Constitution
Tradition/Custom – Presidents enjoy powers that have been established by previous Presidents (such as the Cabinet)

3. Power Each President uses power differently
Current events often dictate what powers a President will use (such as 9/11)

4. Appointment/Removal
Appointment – The power to nominate people for jobs within the government
Ex-federal judges, ambassadors, cabinet members (consent of the Senate)
Removal – The power to dismiss (fire) appointed officials

5. Foreign Policy Powers
Diplomatic : Powers that help the President deal with other nations and foreign leaders
Treaty – A formal agreement between two or more sovereign states (requires Senate approval)

6. Foreign Policies
Executive Agreements – Pacts between the President and heads of foreign states (NO Senate approval required)
Recognition -- When the President acknowledges a country or representatives from a foreign country

7. Military Powers
Military : As Commander in Chief the President is the head of all branches of the military.
ONLY Congress can officially declare war
Troop deployments when national security is threatened.

8. War Powers Resolution
War Powers Act (passed in 1973 as a result of the Vietnam War)
within 48 hours of committing troops abroad, the President must report to Congress
That combat commitment must end in 60 days unless extended by Congress another 30 days
Congress may bring an end to the commitment at any time by passing a concurrent resolution to that effect.**Congress has never tried to enact this

9. Legislative Type Powers
Executive : Powers that help the President carry out the laws of the U.S. as supported by the Constitution
Executive Order – A directive or rule issued by the President that has the effect of law

10. More Legislative
Legislative : Powers that help the President shape public policy
Recommend Legislation – President sends messages to Congress outlining laws he feels are important

11. Veto
Veto – The power to prevent a bill from becoming a law (can be overturned by 2/3 vote of Congress)
Line Item Veto – The President can veto portions of a bill (this power only existed from 1996 – 1998)

12. Judicial Powers
Appointment of judges – Federal judges can be appointed by the President (confirmed by the Senate)

13. Judicial Powers Reprieve – To postpone the carrying out of a sentence
Pardon – To officially forgive a crime
Commutation – To reduce the length of a sentence
Amnesty – A general pardon offered to a group of law violators (such as draft dodgers)

14. Other Rarely Used Powers
Special Session – President can call Congress into session if they are not already meeting
Prorogue (adjournment) – The power to end a session of Congress