the executive branch #9 power!. how powerful is the president? what can be done to “ check and...
TRANSCRIPT
The Executive Branch #9
Power!
How powerful is the president?
What can be done to “check and balance” his
power?
Terms to Know …
• Domestic:
• Foreign:
• In which arena do you think In which arena do you think the President has more the President has more power? power?
Formal (Const.) Powers
Chief of State:
• Symbol • Represents US
at events
Chief Executive • Inauguration Day : –Oath: preserve, protect and defend
Const. –20th Amendment: January 20th –Shortens lame duck period: time
between presidential election (Nov) and when pres takes office when sitting pres has little power
• He/She executes all federal laws:–Minimum wage,
environment, social security, immigration–Power of emphasis
• Bureaucracy: agencies that enforce laws, answer to the President–EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
enforces environmental laws –IRS, ICE, DEA, ATF, etc.
• Ordinance Power (informal / implied) –Executive Orders: • Japanese
Internment•Close detention
center on Guantanamo Bay
• Appointment Power – needs “advice and consent” from -----–Cabinet : Head of 15 executive
departments, called Secretary
He can also appoint:
–Ambassadors: US representatives around the world–Federal Judges:–Heads of Agencies: CIA
• Removal Power (Implied) – can remove ppl, except VP and judges
Chief Legislator • Recommends
legislation:–Honeymoon
period: •Best chance of
success –State of the Union Address: required by Const.
MONEY!• Budget – recommends budget, final
approval w/Congress–Pres uses Office of Management &
Budget (OMB) to help create his version of budget–Impound Funds: Pres tries to withhold
funds that have been apportioned by Congress, now illegal due to Budget & Impoundment Act of 1974
Other checks on Congress..
• Special Sessions:
• VETO–Pocket Veto–Line Item Veto
Commander in Chief • Civilian control of the military• Undeclared war–Pres can send in the troops –War Powers Act (1973)•Pres must inform Congress •Congress must approve within 60 days or
remove troops•Has never been used
War in Iraq• October of 2002 – Bush asked for Congress to
allow him to use force in Iraq “as he determines necessary and appropriate” –HR: 296-133– S: 77-23
• How much power does this give the president?• What limits are there on this war making
power?
Chief Diplomat• Treaty: official
agreement between 2 or more nations–Pres negotiates–Ratified by 2/3
of ---
• Executive Agreements (implied) –Agreements w/other nations that do
not go through the S–Ended Vietnam War
• Recognition of Nations
• Appoint Ambassadors
President #10: All his power!
1.When the president sends in the troops he is acting as the chief of state.
2.The Constitution mandates that the president must make an annual address known as the state of the union.
3.To win the presidency one must have 100 electoral votes in the Electoral College.
4.The president can serve up to 3 terms of office.
Judicial Abilities
• Pardon• Reprieve• Amnesty• Commute• Appoint federal judges
Informal Powers
• Party Leader• Use of the media–Bully Pulpit –Why does pres have more access to the
media than members of Congress?
• Leadership–Look to the office in times of crisis–“Rally around the flag” affect
• Persuasion – constituents, Congress, courts, other leaders, etc.
Who’s more powerful – President or Congress?