AP Gov President / Executive Branch Terms

Cabinet

A group of presidential advisers, including the heads of the executive departments, the attorney general, and other officials chosen by the president.

Reasons for presidential growth

* Crisis points
* The unity of the Presidency
* Mass media
* Extended executive branch powers

Executive Order

A presidential order to the executive branch that carries the force of law. The Supreme Court can rule executive orders unconstitutional.

* Used by president to effect (influence) public policy
* Instruct gov’t agencies how to implement public policy


* Clarify a law

Pocket Veto

An indirect veto, which the president can use by neither signing or vetoing a bill passed by Congress fewer than 10 days before it adjourns.

Signing Statement

A presidential statement upon signing a bill into law, which explains how a president’s administration intends to interpret the law.

State of the Union Address

The president’s annual message to a joint session of Congress, which includes recommended legislation and evaluations of the nation’s top priorities and economic health.

Veto

The president’s constitutional right to reject a law passed by Congress. Congress may override the president’s veto with a two-thirds vote.

President’s Executive Branch Formal Powers

* Take care that the laws be faithfully executed
* Nominate officials (with Senate confirmation)
* Request written opinions from administrative officials
* Fill administrative vacancies during congressional recesses

President’s Foreign Policy Powers

* Act as Commander in Chief of the armed forces
* Make treaties (with Senate ratification)
* Nominate ambassadors (with Senate confirmation)
* Receive ambassadors
* Confer diplomatic recognition on other governments

President’s Judicial Branch Formal Powers

* Grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment)
* Nominate federal judges (with Senate confirmation)

President’s Legislative Branch Formal Powers

* Recommend legislation to Congress
* Present information on the State of the Union to Congress
* Convene Congress on extraordinary occasions
* Adjourn Congress if House and Senate cannot agree
* Veto legislation (Congress may overrule with supermajority)

Bargaining and Persuasion

Setting priorities for Congress and attempting to get majorities to put through the president’s legislative agenda

Issuing Executive Orders

Regulations to run the government and direct the bureaucracy

Issuing Signing Statements

Giving the president's intended interpretation of bills passed by Congress

Negotiating Executive Agreements

Agreements with heads of foreign governments that are not ratified by the Senate

Formal Qualifications to be President

* Natural born citizen
* At least 35 years old
* U.S. resident for at least 14 years

Informal Powers

Those powers not explicitly written in the Constitution

Media access, party leader

Informal powers examples

Executive Agreements

Agreement between the president and another head of state

Judicial Review

SCOTUS check on presidential powers

STAY

A court issued declamation that a law will not be issued until the court has more time to review it

Congress

Can override a presidential veto

House of Representatives

Has the power of impeachment

Presidential Foreign Affairs Duties

* Appoint ambassadors
* Make treaties
* Receive ambassadors
* Diplomatic Recognition

Executive Privilege

Claim by a president that he has the right to decide that the national interest will be better served if certain information is withheld from the public, including the Courts and Congress

United States v. Nixon (1974)

Demonstrated that presidents do NOT have unqualified executive privilege

Executive Office of the President(EOP)

Complex organization of several separate agencies staffed by most of the President’s closest advisors and assistants

President’s Closest Advisors

* work in the west wing of the White House
* Currently over 400 employees

Chief of Staff

The president’s right hand person, most important member in the White House staff other than the president

* Knows everything about the president

Vice President Constitutional Duties

* Take over if the President dies, resigns, or is incapacitated
* President of the Senate, votes in ties
* Counts electoral votes (ceremonial)

Appointing Cabinet Members Process

* Presidential nomination
* White House review
* Paperwork financial disclosure
* FBI investigation
* Senate confirmation hearings
* Senate vote (simple majority)

Hats of the President

* Chief Diplomat
* Head of State
* Party Leader
* Chief Executive
* Commander-in-Chief
* Chief Legislator
* Chief Citizen

Chief Diplomat

(Presidential role)

The nation’s spokesperson to the rest of the world

Commander of the Armed Forces

(Presidential role)

The President is the head of the armed forces

Party Leader

(Presidential role)

The President acts as the chief of their party

Chief Executive

(Presidential role)

The powers to carry out and enforce the laws of the United States

Chief Legislator

(Presidential role)

The President is the main source of public policies

* Signing statements
* Chief Economic Planner

Chief Citizen

(Presidential role)

The moral leader of the nation

Head of State

(Presidential role)

The ceremonial head of the government

12th Amendment

Revised Presidential and Vice Presidential election rules

20th Amendment

“Lame Duck” Amendment

22nd Amendment

Organized the presidential term limits

23rd Amendment

Granted citizens of D.C. the right to vote for president

25th Amendment

Dealt with presidential succession rules

Presidential Succession

* Vice President
* Speaker of House
* President Pro Tempore of Senate
* Secretary of State
* Cabinet department heads in order of precedence

Formal Powers

* Enumerated
* Powers expressly granted in the Constitution

Executive Powers as Chief Executive

* “Take Care” Clause

Art. II, §3, cl. 4

* Has Administrative responsibilities

“Take Care” Clause

The President has the power — the executive power — to see the laws faithfully executed

Three Major Executive Powers

1. Appointment & Removal Power
2. Executive Orders
3. Executive Privilege

Congressional Checks on Presidential Powers

* Senate Confirmation Power of Nominees
* Senate Ratification Power of Treaties
* House power of Impeachment
* Congressional power to override a veto

Constituent

The people a politician represents

“Bully Pulpit”

a public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue

“Going Public”

Going forward to gain political support, engaging with the population to convince them of your policies

* The role of social media has played a large influence in this

Press Secretary

Controls all media representing the White House

Recess Appointments

authorizes the President to make temporary appointments when the Senate is not in session