The Executive Powers Chapter 14 Section 2

What are the executive powers and how were they established?

Executing the Law The President executes (enforces, administers, carries out) the provisions of federal law. The power to do so rests on: The oath of office The Constitution’s command that “he shall take care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” Executive powers of the president Power to execute the law Ordinance power Appointment and removal power

Power to Execute the Law The President’s power to execute the law covers all federal laws Example: Social Security, gun control, affirmative action, immigration, minimum wages, terrorism, environmental protections, taxes, etc…

The Ordinance & Appointment Powers Ordinance Power Appointment and Removal Powers To administer government using executive orders Directives, rules or regulations that have the effect of law Implied in the Constitution Delegated by Congress To appoint high-ranking officials Ambassadors, Cabinet members, the heads of independent agencies, all federal judges, and all officers in the armed forces Has the right, except for federal judges to remove any official from their position

Diplomatic and Military Powers Chapter 14 Section 3

What tools are available to the President to implement foreign policy?

Chief Diplomat Deals with foreign affairs: The power to make treaties Formal agreement between two or more sovereign states Needs to be approved by the Senate The power to enter Executive Agreements A pact between the President and the head of a foreign state Do not have to be approved by the Senate

Commander-in-Chief The President is the “leader” of all branches of the military War Powers Resolution – the President can commit American military to combat only if Congress has declared war Congress has authorized that action (military combat) When an attack on the nation or its armed forces have occurred President has 60 days to such, unless Congress approves otherwise Commander-in-Chief Joint Chiefs of Staff

Legislative and Judicial Powers Chapter 14 Section 4

How can the President check the actions of the legislative and judicial branches?

Legislative Powers The President’s legislative powers, exercised in combination with a skillful playing of roles of chief of party and chief citizen, have made the president, in effect, the nation’s chief legislator. As chief legislator, the President initiates may laws and demands that Congress enact much of the legislation his initiates.

The Veto Power When a bill is sent to the President for approval The President may sign the bill, and it becomes law The President may veto the bill. The measure must then be returned to the house in which it originated, together with the President’s objections. Congress may then pass the bill over the President’s veto, by a two-thirds vote of the full membership of each house The President may allow the bill to become law without signing it – by not acting on it within 10 days, not counting Sundays, of receiving it. The fourth option is a variation of the third, called the pocket veto. If Congress adjourns its session within 10 days of submitting a bill to the President and the President does not sign the bill, the measure dies -Line-item veto. This has been considered unconstitutional. This is when a president could reject specific lines or items in a bill while accepting the main body of a bill

Judicial Powers The Constitution give the President the power to “Grant Reprieves and pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.” -- Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 Reprieve Pardon Clemency Postponement of the execution of a sentence Legal forgiveness of a crime Mercy or leniency may be used only in cases involving federal offenses.