1. Chapter 14 The Presidency in Action
American Citizenship
Chapter 14
The Presidency in Action

2. Section 1
The Growth of Presidential Power

3. Article II The Constitution’s “Executive Article” Power to:
Command Armed Forces
Make Treaties
Approve or veto acts of Congress
Receive Diplomatic representatives
Grant pardon
“To take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed”

4. Why Presidential Power Has Grown
As American has grown more complex socially and economically
Americans have looked especially to the President for leadership in the Federal Government having a bigger role
Wars have also led to the strengthening the executive power
Congress has also passed laws that allow the Executive to help carry out its laws
President’s have greatly used Mass Media to help build support and attention for policies and actions

5. The Presidential View
Recently people have condemned “imperial presidency”
President as an emperor, taking strong actions without consulting Congress or seeking its approval
Example: Richard Nixon

6. Section 2
The President’s Executive Powers

7. Executing the Law Must take the oath of office
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States” Article II, Section 1, Clause 8
Obama’s Oath of Office
Power to execute the law covers all federal laws
However, President’s can view laws in bias ways
Congress allows Executive branch to define many of the day-to-day details about laws

8. The Ordinance Power President can call for an executive order
A directive, rule or regulation that has the effect of law
Comes from ordinance power
ability to issues the executive, which comes from the Constitution and acts of Congress

9. The Appointment Power
President names top-ranking offices of the Federal Government:
Ambassadors and other diplomats
Cabinet members and their top aides
The heads of such independent agencies as EPA or NASA
Federal judges, U.S. marshals
Offices in the armed forces
Must be approved by the Senate

10. The Removal Power The Historical Debate Removal and the Court
President can remove any office he appointed, except federal judges
Removal and the Court
The President can remove most officials that they appoint
however they can not remove any from independent regulatory commissions

11. Section 3
Diplomatic and Military Powers

12. The Power to Make Treaties
President, usually through the secretary of state, negotiates treaties
Formal agreement between two or more sovereign states
Must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the members present in Senate
However the Senate does not ratify the treaty
Treaties are just as legal as acts passed by Congress
Senate considered able to keep secrecy better than House of Representatives

13. Executive Agreements
A pact between the President and the head of a foreign state, or between their subordinates
Does not require Senate consent

14. The Power of Recognition
President receives the diplomatic representatives of another sovereign state, the President exercises the power of recognition
Acknowledges the legal existence of that country and its government
Does not mean that one government approves of the character and conduct of another

15. The Power of Recognition (Con’t)
Could be used as a weapon in foreign relations
President may show American displeasure with the conduct of another country by asking diplomatic representatives in this country to leave
that individual is called persona non grata
an unwelcome person
Sharpest diplomatic rebuke for countries

16. Commander in Chief President has power almost without limit
Though Congress has the power to take away funding, rarely if ever done
Making Undeclared War
Can a President go to war, without declaring war?
Some say no legally
However Presidents have done it since John Adams
Congressional Resolutions
Congress can enact joint resolutions to authorize the President to meet certain international crises with military forces
Every U.S. war since WWII

17. Commander in Chief (Con’t)
Other uses of Military Power
Sending of U.S. forces to foreign nations to protect U.S. interests without declaring war or without congress approval
The War Powers Resolution
Passed in 1973 during the Vietnam War
designed to place close limits on the President’s war-making powers

18. Section 4
Legislative and Judicial Powers

19. Legislative Powers Recommending Legislation
President has Message Power
Sends three messages to Congress a year
State of the Union Address
President’s Budget message
Annual Economic Report
Along with other request Congress to enact certain laws

20. Legislative Powers (Con’t)
Veto Power
President has four options when he receives a measure passed by Congress
Sign the bill and it becomes laws
They may veto the law
allow the bill to become law by not acting on it within 10 days (Not counting Sundays)
Pocket veto
If congress adjourns within 10 days of bill passage, the President can refuse to sign, which kills the vote

21. Legislative Powers (Con’t)
The Line-Item Veto
Ability to veto specific parts of bills
However, very questionable about it’s constitutionality
Other Legislative Powers
President can call a special session of Congress
Ex. Pearl Harbor-FDR

22. Judicial Powers President can give a reprieve and a pardon
Postponement of the execution of a sentence
Legal forgiveness of a crime
President can only give clemency in cases that involve federal offenses
A pardon must be accepted by the individual in order to take affect
Commutation
Ability for President to reduce the length of a sentence
Generally given towards the end of a Presidents last term