2.4 Roles and powers of the president

What is policy agenda

A set of issues that are important to people involved in policymaking

What does Article II establish?

The executive branch

What are formal presidential powers?

Powers specifically written in Article II of the Constitution

What are informal presidential powers?

Powers developed through interpretation, tradition, and the president’s influence

Name examples of formal presidential powers

Commander in Chief, appointing judges and ambassadors, and vetoing bills

Name examples of infromal presidential powers

Negotiating with Congress, persuading the public, bargaining and issuing exective orders

What does the president do as Chief Executive?

Oversees federal agencies and appoints agency directors. federal judges, and Supreme Court justices

What does the president do as Head of State

Represents the US at offical events and meets with foreign leaders

What does the president do as Foreign Policy Leader

Shapes relationships with other countries, oversees arggeements, and directs foreign aid

What doe sthe president do as Commander in Chief?

Serves as head of the U.S military and can send troops into action

Who has the power to declare war?

Congress

What does the president do as Legislative Leader?

Approves or vetos bills and persuades Congress and the public

How can Congress override a presidental veto?

With a 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate

What does the president do as Economic Leader?

Helps plan the federal budget and supports economic policies, such as job creation

What does the president do as Polticial Party Leader?

Supports party members, helps raise campaign money, and helps members run for office

What is a presidential veto?

The president reject a bill passed by Congress

What happens if the president does nothing with a bill for 10 days (excluding Sundays) while Congress is in session?

The bill generally becomes law

What is pockey veto?

When the president does not sign a bill within 10 days (excluding Sundays) and Congress adjourns, preventing the bill from becoming law

Can Congress override a pocket veto?

No. The bill must be introduced again

What is an executive agreement?

An agreement between the president and another country's leader that does not require approval by two-thirds of the Senate.

How is an executive agreement different from a treaty?

It does not require Senate ratification by a two-thirds vote.

What is an executive order?

A presidential directive telling the executive branch how to carry out laws or manage the government.

Do executive orders require congressional approval?

No, but they can be challenged in court and cannot override the Constitution or laws.

What is a signing statement?

A statement explaining how the president interprets a bill or plans to carry it out.

What is executive privilege?

The president's ability to keep certain executive branch communications confidential.

What did U.S. v. Nixon (1974) establish about executive privilege?

Executive privilege exists but is limited; it does not give the president unlimited power to withhold evidence.