2. The Powers of The President and the Cabinet

3. 12 powers granted by the Constitution 1.Be commander in chief of the armed forces 2.Require the opinion of his cabinet members 3.Grant reprieves and pardons 4.Make Treaties 5.Nominate and appoint ambassadors, judges of the Supreme Court and all other officers of the United States. 6.Fill up all vacancies during the recess of the Senate.

4. 12 Powers Continued… 7. Give Congress information in the State of the Union 8. Recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. (Veto Power) 9. On extraordinary occasions convene both Houses, or either of them. 10. Receive ambassadors and other public ministers. 11. Take care that the laws be faithfully executed. 12. Commission all the officers of the United States.

5. Some Other Powers: Executive Order- Carry the weight of law unless it contradicts laws passed by Congress Executive Privilege- allows the executive branch to withhold information which Congress or the Judicial Branch requests. War Powers Act – Allows the president to send troops overseas for 60 days without the approval of Congress

6. The President’s Cabinet

7. What does the President’s Cabinet Do? “The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of the Presidency itself. Established in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, the Cabinet's role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office.”

8. The President’s Cabinet Department of State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton Department of the Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner Department of Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta Department of Justice Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. Department of the Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack Department of Commerce Secretary John E. Bryson Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun L.S. Donovan Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet A. Napolitano

9. The President’s Cabinet Department of State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton Concerned with foreign affairs Department of the Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner Financial and monetary matters Department of Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta Operational and administrative head of the armed forces behind the president. Department of Justice Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. Concerned with legal affairs/chief law enforcement officer Department of the Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar Oversees such agencies as the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Geological Survey, and the National Park Service. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack Specific duties relate to regulation, promotion, agricultural reseach, price supports, agricultural subsidies, plant diseases and invasive species. Department of Commerce Secretary John E. Bryson Concerned with business and industry. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis Enforces and suggests laws involving unions, the workplace, and all other issues involving any form of business-person controversies. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Concerned with all health matters. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun L.S. Donovan Mission: "to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination." Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Mission: "to develop and coordinate policies that will provide an efficient and economical national transportation system, with due regard for need, the environment, and the national defense." Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu Works to provide better more efficient energy sources and maintain environmental quality. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan Concerned with Education Policy Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki Concerned with Veteran’s benefits and other related matters. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet A. Napolitano Concerned with protecting the American homeland and the safety of American citizens

10. Questions to Consider Do you think that wartime/crisis situations such as September 11 should allow the president to have more power? Do you think that executive privilege is something that the president should be allowed to have? Are there any powers not listed that you think that the president has? Do you think that there should be more/less cabinet members?