Chapters 14 and 15
» An easy way to remember the powers of the President is to remember the name Joel Carter.» What does that stand for?
»J» Judicial Powers» The Constitution gives the President the power to grant reprieves and pardons only in cases involving federal offenses.» A reprieve The postponement of the execution of a sentence» A pardon Legal forgiveness of a crime» Clemency Powers of mercy or leniency
»O» Ordinance Power» All 2.7 million government workers are subject to the President s control» The President has the power to issue executive orders» The power to issue these orders (the ordinance power) arises from two sources Constitution Acts of Congress» The President must have the power to implement executive orders and the power to authorize his subordinates it issue such orders.» Example Executive Order 9066
»e» Executing the Law» The President executes the provisions of federal law.» The power to do so reset on two brief constitutional provisions. Oath of office The Constitution s command» The Constitution requires the President to execute all federal laws no matter what the chief executive s own views may be.
»L» Legislative Powers» With his legislative powers the President can have a considerable influence on the actions of Congress he is in effect the nation s chief legislator» Recommending Legislation A series of speeches he gives to Congress urging them to pass laws (1 st is state of the union)» Veto power The President can veto any bill or measure» The Line-Item Veto In 96 it was allowed for the Prez to reject individual items in spending bills but was taken away in 98» And others Only the Prez can call Congress into special session
»C» Commander in Chief» The President is the Commander in Chief of the nation s armed forces» President s powers as commander in chief are almost without limit» Most Presidents have not become so directly involved in military operations but still have the final authority over and responsibility for all military matters.
»A» Appointment Power» Acting alone, the President names only a handful of the 2.7 million federal employees.» With Senate consent, he names most of the top-ranking officers of the Federal Government» Some are: Ambassadors and other diplomats Cabinet members and their top aides + http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabin et The heads of such independent agencies as the EPA and NASA All federal judges, U.S. marshals, and attorneys All officers in the armed forces
»R» Removal Power» The power to remove is as critically important as the power to appoint» The Constitution does not say how or by whom appointed officers may be dismissed.» As a general rule, the President may remove those whom the President appoints
»T» The Power to Make Treaties» A treaty is a formal agreement between two or more sovereign states.» The Prez, usually through the secretary of state, negotiates international agreements» The Senate must give its approval (by 2/3 vote of members present) before a treaty made by the President can become effective
»E» Executive Agreements» An executive agreement is a pact between the President and the head of a foreign state, or between their subordinates.» Unlike treaties, executive agreements do not require Senate consent» Example Destroyers for bases deal of 1940 + 50 over-age destroyers for 99-year leases on naval bases
»R» The Power of Recognition» When the President receives the diplomatic representatives of another sovereign state, the President exercises the power of recognition» The President, acting for the United States, acknowledges the legal existence of that country and its government.» He indicates that the U.S. accepts that country as an equal in the family of nations The Islands of Fulkonia
» Article II, Section 1 Clause 5 of the Constitution says that the President must: 1. Be a natural born Citizen + Born in the U.S., but it is possible to be born abroad and still be born a U.S. citizen 2. Be at least 35 years of age + JFK is the youngest at 43 elected, while Theodore Roosevelt was 42 when he reached the presidency by succession + Rappin Ronnie Reagan was 69 when he was elected. He was the oldest person to hold office as he served 8 years 3. Have lived in the United States for at least 14 years + Hoover and Eisenhower spent several years before election outside the U.S.
» Powers are split between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.» This ensures no one man or group can have complete control. The president's vetoes can be overrun by congress, their bills can be declared unconstitutional by the supreme court, and they can be impeached by the House of Reps and tried by the Senate
» He makes sure that citizens obey laws.» He is in charge of all armed forces.» He makes agreements, called treaties, with other countries.» He decides how America will act toward other countries and he represents our country here and around the world.» When Congress sends him a new law, he may or may not agree to sign it.» He lets Congress know about new laws he thinks should be passed.
» The President has many roles which include Chief of State Chief Executive Chief Administrator Chief Diplomat Commander in Chief Chief legislator Chief of Party Chief Citizen
» Only native-born U.S. citizens (or those born abroad, but only to parents at least one of whom was a U.S. citizen at the time)» One must also be at least 35 years of age to be president. John F. Kennedy was the youngest person to be elected president; he was 43 years old when he was inaugurated in 1961.» Finally, one must live in the United States for at least 14 years to be president
White House Office Prez s key personal and staff President Chief of Staff Directs all operations of the White House Office Other Appointments Several important agencies Executive Office Independent Agencies Executive Agencies Example: White House Office Council of Economic Advisors Example: CIA, NASA Example: Department of Labor The Cabinet