Presidential Powers

Bargaining and Persuasion

Informal power to convince Congress to pass a bill

Commander in Chief

President's power to lead the military

Formal Powers

Powers explicitly stated in Article II of the Constitution

Executive Agreement

Order empowering the president to carry out the law

Executive Order

Signed directive managing federal government operations

Executive Privilege

Right to withhold information from another branch

Informal Powers

Political powers used to achieve policy goals

Line-Item Veto

Power to eliminate part of a bill

Pocket Veto

President's inaction on a bill received in the final ten days of a session

Policy Agenda

Set of issues viewed as important in policy making

Signing Statements

Comments explaining the president's interpretation of a bill

Veto

President's power to reject a passed bill

Ambassadors

Top diplomats representing the United States

Cabinet

Advisory group aiding in decision making

Chief of Staff

Responsible for smooth operation of the White House

Inherent Powers

Powers within the jurisdiction of the executive branch

Joint Chiefs of Staff

Council advising the President on military strategies

Federalist No. 70

Essay emphasizing the value of unity in a single executive

Imperial Presidency

Presidency with greater powers than allowed by the constitution

Jackson, Andrew

Military general who forcibly relocated Native Americans

Lincoln, Abraham

Expanded presidential powers during the Civil War

Roosevelt, Franklin D.

President during the Great Depression, implemented New Deal policies

Roosevelt, Theodore

Stretched presidential power to advance the nation

Stewardship Theory

Theory advocating for a strong presidential role

Twenty-second Amendment (1951)

Limits presidents to two consecutive terms

Washington, George

First-ever president of the United States

War Powers Act (1973)

Requires president to inform Congress about military actions

Wilson, Woodrow

Strong leader with an international voice

Bully Pulpit

Conspicuous position for the president to advocate an agenda

State of the Union Address

President's report to Congress on the state of the nation