Presidential powers

Where are the presidents powers listed?

Article II, Section II

What are the powers of the president?

• Commander in chief

• Make treaties

• Appoint ambassadors,judges and officials

• Pardons+Repreices

• Recess appointments

What are the presidents responsibilities ?

• State of the union- address congress

• Convene special sessions of congress

• Execute laws

• Accountable for branch of gov- controls federal bureaucracy

What are the presidents enumerated powers?

• Commander in chief

• Negotiate treaties

• State of the union address

• Approve/veto legislation

What are the presidents implied powers?

• establish cabinet

• Executive agreements

• Executive orders

• Executive privilege

Why is a president signing a bill into law significant ?

* Signing a bill is a public ceremony as a highly publicised event- eg. Obama and no child left behind.

Why is the Veto a significant political tool?

• Blunt political tool- almost final say on legislation

• Allows the president to shape legislation with the threat of veto

Why is the veto limited?

• The pres relies on congress to pass agenda so cannot use veto too often or he’ll look weak.

• Can be overridden by congress

How many Vetoes did Obama have overriden?

1 veto overriden

How many Vetoes did Bush have over ridden ?

4/12

What does the president do at the state of the union address?

Pres outlines legislative agenda to congress

What influences whether congress passes the presidents legislative agenda?

• The Strength of the pres and the mandate

• Opinion polls

• Timing of electoral system

What policies did Obama fail to get through congress ?

• 2016 Immigration Reform- had to rely on executive action

• 2013 Gun control

What policies did Bush succeed at passing through congress?

* 2003 Healthcare reform

What appointments can be made without senate approval ?

Recess appointments

how many recess appointments did Clinton make?

139 appointments

What are executive orders interpreted from?

Being able to organise the executive office of the pres (EXOP) + carry out “executive actions”- without congressional approval

What cant executive orders do?

Create new legislation

What do executive orders allow a president to do?

Create and shape policy when congress would not pass a law that the president wanted.

What overturns an executive order?

• A new law

• S.C ruling

• New pres with new executive order

How many executive orders did trump use in his first year?

58 in first year

What is signing statements ?

Statements used by pres regarding a bill hears signed into law

What do they point out?

The negative/positive of a bill

Why doe it undermine the rule of law?

Can’t just pick what he likes/dislikes

how can Presidents bypass the need for senates consent for treaties?

Use an executive order instead

How did Obama use executive orders to replicate foreign treaties?

• Iran Nuclear deal

• Paris climate change agreement