limitations on the president

Question 1

ways the president is limited

Answer 1

Congress
Supreme Court
The constitution
The states/federalism
Popularity/approval ratings
Events

Question 2

Congress has many ways to obstruct the president:

Answer 2

Vote against laws - e.g. 2018 American Health Care Act
Vote against budget - e.g. 2018/19 35-day gov. shutdown
Advice and consent
Federal appointments - Marrick Garland 2016, Neera Tanden 2021
International treaties - UN Arms Trade Treaty
Override presidential veto - Defense Authorization Act
Standing committee hearings - January 6th 2021-22
Impeachment - Trump (twice), Clinton
Filibuster - For the People Act 2022

Question 3

supreme court

Answer 3

Ruling the actions of the president unconstitutional
Boumediene v. Bush 2008
NFIB v. OHSA 2022

Question 4

the constitution

Answer 4

Presidents sometimes find some elements of the
constitution an obstacle. The entrenched and codified nature of the constitution means that a president cannot easily amend the constitution. - federal marriage act

Question 5

the states and federalism

Answer 5

The 10th Amendment protects states rights and therefore
limits the powers of the federal executive.
States can also implement laws and policies that go against
the President’s agenda

Question 6

Public opinion: popularity

Answer 6

A popular president has more authority.

Question 7

Events

Answer 7

Unexpected events can be a source of strength of the
president. But, they can also harm a president.
6 events:

2001: 9/11 → George W. Bush
2005 Hurricane Katrina → George W. Bush
2007/8: Financial crisis → George W. Bush
2012: Hurricane Sandy → Barack Obama
2017: Hurricane Harvey → Donald Trump
2021: COVID-19 → Donald Trump
2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine → Joe Biden