UNIT 3: SECTION 2 EXECUTIVE POWER Essential Question: Describe the constitutional powers and the roles of the president.

The President’s Executive Powers Presidential Powers Executive Orders: The President can issue orders to his departments that have the force of law Executive Orders must be related to powers the President already has. Example: During WWII, FDR ordered the relocation of millions of Japanese Americans to prison camps in the interest of national safety Appointment Powers The President gets to appoint people of his choosing to lead the various programs that fall under the Executive Office

Legislative and Judicial Powers The power to recommend legislation While the President cannot pass laws on his own, many of the laws passed by Congress have their origins in the Executive Office As the leader of the nation, the President sets the goals of the nation, Congress is tasked with reviewing those goals and putting them into action by passing laws Veto Power One of the greatest powers a President has. By refusing to sign Congressional Bills into law, the President can limit the power of Congress Line-Item Veto: Presidents have asked for the power to remove parts of legislation from bills so that the majority of a bill may be passed without the need to veto the entire bill The Supreme Court ruled this unconstitutional in the case of Clinton vs. New York They feared that it would give the President powers beyond what is defined in the Constitution

The President’s Executive Powers Presidential Appointments Most Presidential appointments are subject to Senate approval (This serves as a check on Presidential Power) The Power of Removal Since the President appoints people into positions of power, he / she also has the power to remove them from office (subject to some limitations as defined by the Supreme Court)

Diplomatic and Military Powers Other powers of the President include: The power to make treaties Presidents often attempt to strike deals with foreign leaders that are mutually beneficial All treaties must be approved by the Senate Executive Agreements One way around the need for Congressional approval of treaties is for the President to pass an Executive Agreement

Diplomatic and Military Powers Commanding the Armed Forces As Commander in Chief, the President has the power to command the military This has created some questions on exactly what that power means since only Congress has the power to declare war

Diplomatic and Military Powers The War Powers Resolution In 1973, Congress passed a law designed to clarify the relationship between the President and Congress on the ability to send troops into potential hostilities Within 48 hours of deploying troops, the President must issue a report to Congress explaining why troops were necessary The commitment of troops must end after 60 days unless Congress gives its approval to keep the troops deployed Congress may recall the troops at any time if they pass a concurrent resolution (in other words, the troops may be committed as long as Congress gives it support) There is some question on whether or not the War Powers Resolution is Constitutional. President Bush threatened to ignore Congress if they failed to support his deployment of troops to Iraq.

The Growth of Presidential Power Reasons for increase in Presidential Power America’s changing role as a world leader Since the Great Depression, people have turned to the government for assistance Americans can identify with the President more easily than with the members of Congress The use of Mass Media As Presidential power grows, citizens begin to fear Presidential power Imperial Presidency: When a President takes actions that further increases the power of his office