The Powers of the President Flashcards
The powers of the president are his tasks functions or duties. (11)
- Propose legislation:
- Submit the annual budget:
- Sign legislation:
- Veto legislation:
- Act as the chief executive:
- Nominate executive branch officials:
- Nominate all federal judges:
- Negotiate treaties:
- Pardon:
- Head of state:
- Propose legislation: (3)
a. Article II of the Constitution allows the president to propose legislation to Congress and recommend measures that they should consider.
b. The president can do this through the annual State of the Union Address, but they can also propose legislation at any time through other means such as a press conference or public announcement.
c. This power allows the president to directly influence the legislative process and work towards their policy goals.
- Submit the annual budget: (3)
a. The budget is another piece of legislation but arguably the most important because it decides how much money will be spent on different things, like education, defense, healthcare, etc.
b. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) draws up the annual federal budget for the president. They work for the president.
c. The president will then argue with congress on how to spend the money. (1)
- Submit the annual budget: (3)
c. The president will then argue with congress on how to spend the money. (1)
i. This can take a really long time, especially if the president and the majority of congress are in different parties.
- Sign legislation: (2)
a. After bills go through a long and complicated process in Congress, they end up on the president’s desk.
b. The president can choose what to do with them, but usually he will sign them into law.
- Veto legislation: (6)
a. The president can choose to veto bills, which means he does not agree with them and they will not become laws.
b. This is a powerful tool that presidents often use to influence Congress.
c. Even just the threat of a veto can make Congress change the bill to something more acceptable to the president.
d. Congress can try to override a presidential veto, but it’s usually very hard to succeed. (3)
e. From George Washington to George bush just under 1500 veto’s have been used.
f. In addition to regular vetoes, the president can also use something called a “pocket veto”. (2)
- Veto legislation: (6)
d. Congress can try to override a presidential veto, but it’s usually very hard to succeed. (3)
i. It is hard to override a veto because it requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
ii. This means that a significant number of members of Congress from both parties must agree with the bill enough to vote in favour of it despite the president’s opposition.
iii. Often, this level of agreement is difficult to achieve, especially if the bill is controversial or if the president has significant support within Congress.
- Veto legislation: (6)
f. In addition to regular vetoes, the president can also use something called a “pocket veto”. (2)
i. Can only be used at the last congressional session of that president’s term.
ii. This type of veto cannot be overturned by Congress because it’s basically an unofficial veto in which the president just doesn’t give a reply and then their term ends leaving it unresolved.
- Act as the chief executive: (3)
a. The first sentence of Article II of the Constitution gives the president complete power over the executive branch of the government. This means that the president has the responsibility of making sure the government runs smoothly.
b. However, this is a big job, so the president delegates many tasks to people who run different departments and agencies.
c. To help coordinate all of this work, modern presidents have created their own bureaucracy called the Executive Office of the President (EXOP). This bureaucracy helps the president manage all aspects of the federal government.
- Nominate executive branch officials: (5)
a. The president has the authority to nominate hundreds of officials to work in the executive branch of government.
b. This is including those who head the 15 major departments like the Treasury, State, and Agriculture.
c. There are also many other lower-level officials in these departments, as well as ambassadors, agency heads, and members of regulatory commissions that the president must choose.
d. When the president nominates someone for a position, the Senate must vote to confirm them with a simple majority.
e. These appointments can continue to be made throughout the president’s time in office.
- Nominate all federal judges: (4)
a. As part of his responsibilities, the president is also responsible for nominating judges to the federal judiciary. (2)
b. This includes not only vacancies on the Supreme Court, but also trial-level (district) and appellate-level (circuit) courts. (4)
c. These appointments are for life and are therefore very important.
d. The Senate must confirm all judicial appointments by a simple majority vote.
- Nominate all federal judges: (4)
a. As part of his responsibilities, the president is also responsible for nominating judges to the federal judiciary. (2)
i. The federal judiciary refers to the system of courts in the United States that are responsible for interpreting the Constitution, federal laws, and settling legal disputes between parties.
ii. It is a separate and independent branch of government from the legislative and executive branches.
- Nominate all federal judges: (4)
b. This includes not only vacancies on the Supreme Court, but also trial-level (district) and appellate-level (circuit) courts. (4)
i. The federal judiciary includes three levels of courts:
ii. 1. The Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the land and has ultimate authority over all other courts. It has nine justices who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
iii. 2. The appellate-level courts (circuit courts), which are the intermediate level of federal courts. There are 13 circuit courts across the country, each covering a specific geographic region, and they hear appeals from district courts.
iv. 3. The trial-level courts (district courts), which are the lowest level of federal courts. There are 94 district courts across the country, and they are responsible for hearing and deciding civil and criminal cases.
- Act as commander-in-chief: (3)
a. From the 1940s to the 1980s, presidents were seen as playing a significant role as commander-in-chief, (1)
b. Only congress can declare war. (3)
c. Congress also has the power to control the finances involved in war, but this has not always been effective in curbing the president’s war-making authority. (2)
- Act as commander-in-chief: (3)
a. From the 1940s to the 1980s, presidents were seen as playing a significant role as commander-in-chief, (1)
i. with events like World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War commanding attention.
