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 the President has more power? In which arena do you think the President has more power?

Formal (Const.) 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 – 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: – 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

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? President Just the 2 of us! Congress