Presidential Powers

Question 1

Name 6 presidential powers

Answer 1

• Proposing legislation to Congress
• Submitting the annual budget (drawn up by the OMB)
• Signing legislation
• Vetoing legislation
• Acting as chief executive
• Nominating executive branch officials

Question 2

Name the rest of the presidential powers

Answer 2

• Nominate all federal judges
• Act as commander-in-chief
• Negotiate treaties
• Pardon
• Head of state

Question 3

Is the cabinet important?

Answer 3

Yes
- It contains some of the most important people in the executive branch
- All the heads of the 15 executive departments are automatic members
No
- Article II of the constitution vests ‘all executive power’ in the president
- EXOP is the main source of advice-giving for the president

Question 4

Powers of the vice president

Answer 4

• Presiding officer of the Senate
• Can break a tie in the Senate
• Counting and announcing the Electoral College vote results
• The VP will become president if he/she dies or resigns

Question 5

What is the head of state?

Answer 5

• As head of state, the president is the representative of the USA to the world. This involves roles such as:
• Granting pardons
• Attending global summits
• Being ‘consoler-in-chief’ during times of national crisis
• Receiving and nominating ambassadors

Question 6

Example of a president being head of state

Answer 6

• In 2015, Obama visited the Paris Climate Change Summit, acted as their country’s representative on a global stage and signed up the country to an agreement.