The Executive Branch #2 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 the President has more power?
Powers Formal powers: those expressed in Article II of the Const Informal powers: implied
Powers Chief of State: Symbol Represents US at events
Chief Executive Inauguration Day : – Oath: preserve, protect and defend Const.
– 20 th Amendment : January 20 th – 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
Approval Ratings A.Describe one trend as seen on these charts. B.List and describe two reasons for this trend.
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, Secretary
He can also appoint: – Ambassadors: – Federal Judges: – Heads of Agencies: CIA Removal Power (Implied) – cannot remove VP
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: – S: 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
War Powers FRQ A.Pres = commander-in-chief (sends in troops) & Cong declares war (one point) B.2 points: Pres notify Cong w/in 48 hrs Pres consult w/Cong Cong has 60 days to extend or remove
C.4 points (ID & EXP) Pass law Funding Confirm nominees (Sec of State, Ambassadors) Impeach Ratify Treaty Cong oversight (hearings, investigations) Total: 7 points Explain how/why this power increases the power of Congress in the war making process. EX: Cong funds the military. This gives Cong more power because they can choose to extend the war by giving the military more $ or stop it by ending the funding for it.
Judicial Abilities Clemency – 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? President Just the 2 of us! Congress
State of the Union 2012 Tues, Jan 6pm on all networks, cable news, & online EC assign: – Summary: Describe key points made in the speech (notes/bullet points) – Reaction: Pick 3 points made in the speech. Discuss whether you agree or disagree w/Obama’s plan. Explain your reasoning. (6-8 sent paragraph)