Presidential Leadership: The Shared Powers of Congress

Chapter 13 – The Presidency

Chief Legislator

• Veto: The president can send a bill back to Congress with his reasons for rejecting it. It may be overridden with 2/3 support of both Houses.

• Pocket Veto: A president can let a bill die by not signing it when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill.

• Line Item Veto: ability to veto parts of a bill—denied to the president in Clinton v. City of NY

Chief Legislator

• Signing Statement:– Pronouncements issued by a president when he

signs a bill into law – Used to comment on the law, comment on their

interpretation of the law, assert constitutional objections, or announce how the executive branch will (or will not) administer the law

– Increased reliance on unitary executive model– Click here to view Obama’s statement on signing the

2009 stimulus bill into law

Chief Legislator

• Executive Privilege– Is the president required to divulge private

communication between himself and his advisors? – U.S. v. Nixon (1974): The president is entitled to

receive confidential advice, but he can be required to reveal material related to a criminal prosecution.

Chief Legislator

• Impoundment of Funds– Presidents have refused to spend money

appropriated by Congress – Budget Act of 1974 • Requires presidents to spend funds appropriated by

Congress unless he informs Congress and they delay to delete the spending. Congress can pass a resolution requiring the immediate release of money.

Party Leadership • The Bonds of Party– Being in the president’s party creates a

psychological bond between legislators and presidents, increasing agreement.

• Slippage in Party Support– Presidents cannot always count on party support,

especially on controversial issues.

Party Leadership • Leading the Party– Presidents can offer party candidates support and

punishment by withholding favors.

– Presidential coattails occur when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president’s party because they support the president. Races are rarely won in this way.

Public Support

• Public Approval– A source of presidential leadership of Congress– Public approval gives the president leverage, not

command; it does not guarantee success• Mandates– Perception that the voters strongly support the

president’s character and policies– Mandates are infrequent, but presidents claim a

mandate anyway

Legislative Skill

• Bargaining: concessions for votes, occurs infrequently• Being strategic, presidents increase chances for

success by exploiting “honeymoon” at beginning of term

• Presidents may set priorities to influence Congress’ agenda; president is nation’s key agenda builder

• Skills must compete with other factors that may affect Congress; they are not at the core of presidential leadership of Congress