 The power to make treaties (formal agreements between two or more sovereign states) › Senate must approve all treaties with a 2/3 vote of members present = Advice and Consent › Treaties have the same legal standing as acts of Congress

 Executive Agreements (a pact between the President and the head of a foreign state) › Agreements do NOT have to be approved by the Senate › Agreements do not supersede federal laws of the laws of any State › When a new President takes office, he/she may keep or disregard Agreements made by previous Presidents

 Power of Recognition – the President may receive diplomatic representatives of another sovereign state › Basically, the President, acting for the United States, acknowledges the legal existence of that country and its government › The president may also show displeasure with the conduct of another country  Persona non grata – an unwelcomed diplomat or representative

 The Constitution makes the Chief Executive the Commander-in-Chief  Presidents delegate much of their command authority to military subordinates  The President has the final authority over, and responsibility for, all military matters

 War Powers Resolution of 1973 › The President can commit American military forces to combat only if:  Congress has declared war  Congress has authorized that action  When an attack on the nation or its armed forces has occurred

 The President may recommend legislation, usually done through the State of the Union Address  The veto power – The President may veto (reject) legislation passed by Congress › Pocket Veto – Can only be used at the end of a congressional session – If Congress adjourns within ten days (not including Sundays) of sending a bill to the President, and the President does not act on it, the bill becomes void

 Reprieve – the postponement of the execution of a sentence  Pardon – legal forgiveness of a crime  Clemency – mercy or leniency powers involving federal offenses  Commutation – the power to reduce a fine or length of a sentence  Amnesty – a blanket pardon offered to a group of law violators