1. The President’s Job
Chapter 7 Section 2

2. Words to Know
Executive Order: A rule of command that has the force of law.
Pardon: A declaration of forgiveness and freedom from punishment.
Reprieve: An order to delay a person’s punishment until a higher court can hear the case.
Amnesty: A pardon to a group of people.

3. Constitutional Powers
President: Most powerful public official in the U.S.
Constitution gives the president his power
Article II: “Executive power shall be invested in a President…”
President’s main job is to execute, or carry out, the laws passed by Congress.
President gives Congress info. about the “state of the union” several times per year:
Most important “State of the Union” address
Discuss most important issues facing nation and describes legislation he/she would like Congress to take up.

4. Constitutional Powers cont.
Power given to president by Constitution:
Veto bill passed by Congress
Call Congress into special session
Commander in Chief of Armed Forces
Receive leaders/officials from foreign countries
Make Treaties with other Countries
Appoint heads of executive agencies, federal court judges, ambassadors, and other top govt. officials
Pardon

5. Roles of the President Chief Executive Chief Diplomat
Commander in Chief
Legislative Leader
Head of State
Economic Leader
Party Leader

6. Chief Executive Most important role of president:
Carrying out laws passed by Congress
President is in charge of 15 cabinet departments
And about 3 million civilians who work for Fed. Govt.
Important role for carrying out laws:
Issuing executive orders
Grant pardons
Issue reprieves
Grant amnesty

7. Chief Diplomat Directs foreign policy in U.S.
Makes key decisions about how the U.S. acts towards other countries in the world

8. Commander in Chief In charge of nations armed forces
Gives president the ability to back up foreign policy by using force
The top commanders of the armed forces are subordinates of the president
Congress and the President share power to make war:
Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war; only president can order military into battle
Congress has only declared war 15 times:
President has sent troops into action 150 times since 1789

9. Legislative Leader
Most bills sent to Congress come from the Executive branch
Every president has a legislative program
New laws president wants Congress to pass
President makes speeches to build support for the program and tries to persuade senators and reps. To support them
President and Congress often disagree:
President represents entire country
Congress represents the people of their state/district

10. Head of State President is a living symbol of the U.S.
President aids diplomacy by:
Visiting kings and queens
Prime ministers
Other foreign leaders
Carries out ceremonial functions for Americans:
Lighting national Christmas tree
Giving medals to country’s heroes

11. Economic Leader President tries to help country’s economy prosper
Voters want president to deal with problems such as:
Unemployment
Rising prices
High taxes
President plan federal government’s yearly budget

12. Party Leader
President is regarded as the leader of their political party:
Members of the party work towards getting their members elected
President in turn gives speeches to party members to help them get elected to office
President helps party members raise money

13. Homework
Chapter 7 Section 2 Worksheets