Ap gov Unit 2 Part2 notes

Policy general

POTUS has both formal and informal powers and functions to accomplish this.

Requirements to become POTUS

• must be 35+ yrs old

• natural born citizen and US resident for 14+ yrs

formal Powers

those define in article 2

informal powers

political powers interpreted to be inherent in the office to achieve policy goals

5 powers given to the POTUS in the Constitution

• power to issue pardons and reprieves

• power to appoint ambassadors, judges, and other public ministers

• power to recommend legislative meausures to congress

• power to veto/ approve bills

• power to convene/adjorne the chambers of congress

4 examples of the POTUS wielding their Chief Legislator power

• talking to lawmakers, suggesting laws

• sigining legislation-approve or veto laws that are passed by congress

• vetoing legislation(refusal to sign bill)

• signing pens-using more than 1 pen to sign bill, so it can be given as souvenirs

T/F: divided govt. often leads to more presidential vetoes.

True.

If POTUS doesnt approve/deny a bill withing 10 days it will…

pass

pocket veto

occurs when potus receives a bill in the final 10 days of a congressional session and does nothing, allowing the bill to die. (Its a check on the legislative branch)

Congress overrides POTUS veto with___ in____.

2/3 vote; each chamber

Line-Item Veto

type of veto power that allows the executive to cancel specific part of a bill while signing into a law

Benefits & Drawbacks of a POTUS with line-item veto power

BENEFITS:

• no loyalty to a specific district and would be able to make pol. dif local spending cuts w/o loosing support

• used by POTUS to target unnecessary and wasteful spending

Drawbacks:

• Increases the power of the executive branch at the expense of legislative branch

• could be unconstitutional

• Constit. gave the power of the purse to congress

POTUS’s role as Commander in Cheif

• The Constit. makes POTUS head of all branches of the us. military.

• can send troops but only CONGRESS can declare war

POTUS’s role as chief diplomat

• directs aid to other country

• makes or directs treaties other countires

• sets polices that affect US relations w. nations

Executive Agreement

( with a comparison to a treaty)

• doesn’t require senatorial approval

• treaty: requires 2/3 vote by senate to approve, harder o obtain

Benefits and Drawvacks of Exec. Agreement

BENEFITS:

• avoids conferring w/ senate during each step of a delicate negotiation

• ensures secrecy, speed, & avoids ego clashes w/ senate

  DRAWBACKS:

• only binding if each state maintains its ability and willingness to fulfill the promise

• can be eliminated by successive POTUS

• likely require the cooperation of congress(for spending) & other instit.

POTUS’s role as chief execut and Administrator

• can oversee federal agencies, appointing their directiors and created polices

  -congress approves the appointments

• can appoint federal judges & SC Justices

Executive Order

A declaration by the pres. to carry out the law or administer the gov. pres. directive that has force of law

ex: when Eisenhower dispatches federal troops to protect the civil rights of the Little Rock Nine

Execut. Order cannot address..

-anything under exclusive congressional jursdiction

Execut. Priviledge

POTUS’s right to withhold info. or decision-making processes from another branch.

What factors shape the presidency?

• Article II

• 5 constitutional amendments

• federal law

• SCOTUS decisions

• customs

• precedents

stewardship theory

Pres. Roosevelt believed that POTUS has duty to take care of American people and act in national interests, unless action was clearly prohibited by the Constitution.

Responsibites of VP

• “pres of senate” but has no vote, unless they’re divided”

• assumes office if pres. is gone or unable to discharge powers

  Ex: “balance the ticket” w/ respect tp geographical rep. connections to important votes, or experience

Agencies

smaller entitites within a department thats respnsible for carryin out specfic functions of the fed. govt.

What is EOP responsible for?

To provide info to the pres.