Chapter 7 Part III?

Presidential Budget Request
- Submitted annually, usually in February or March.
- Presidents put together a comprehensive budget request to Congress.
- Congress has control over taxation and spending (appropriations).

Formal Powers
- Derived from the Constitution or federal law.
- Examples include:
  - Executive Orders
  - Regulations or rule-making
  - Signing laws or promoting legislation.
Executive Orders
- Written directives issued by the President.
- Must be grounded in constitutional authority (e.g., Article II) or delegated power from Congress.
- Subject to judicial review, allowing courts to interpret legality.
- Example: Executive Order issued on 01/20/2025
  - States, "By authority vested in me as president by the Constitution and laws of the United States, it is hereby ordered…"
  - Addresses the Fourteenth Amendment regarding birthright citizenship.
- Legal consequence: Challenges to legality can lead to court cases, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.
- Historical example: The Emancipation Proclamation (1862) and its impact on the Civil War.
- Notable Executive Orders:
  - Executive Order 11246 (1965) on affirmative action, later repealed in 2025.

Agencies under the Executive Branch
- Most U.S. federal government agencies, e.g., NASA, ICE.
- Agency priorities can be influenced by presidential actions.
- Example: Changes in ICE under Biden versus Trump.
Foreign Policy Powers
- More concentrated in the President, as they serve as head of state.
  - Example: The President's role as commander-in-chief ensures civilian control of the military.
  - Significant meetings portrayed include FDR, Churchill, and Stalin at the Yalta Conference.
Pardon Power
- Broad presidential authority to grant pardons.
- Historical usage by Presidents Clinton (e.g., Mark Rich) and Biden (e.g., Hunter Biden).

Veto Power
- The President can veto legislation passed by Congress.
  - If vetoed, legislation returns to Congress, which may attempt to override it.
- Historical trends show a decrease in veto usage due to proactive negotiations (threat of veto can deter legislation).
State of the Union Address
- An annual address to Congress outlining presidential priorities.

Approval Ratings
- Public opinion significantly influences presidential power.
- High approval ratings enhance legislative success and influence, while low ratings diminish it.
- Example statistics from recent presidents:
  - Trump: High of 49%, Low of 35%.
  - Obama: High of 67%, Low of 40%.
  - Bush: High of 90% post-9/11, Low of 25%.

Control over the Bureaucracy
- The federal government comprises approximately 2.3 million civilian employees and numerous military personnel.
- The president appoints about 4,000 political positions, influencing agency directions.
- An incumbent president faces bureaucracy inertia due to career civil servants persisting through administrations.
- Executive Office of the President
- Includes various agencies and advisors who aid in policy management.
- Example: The office of management and budget plays a crucial role in budgetary control.

Collaborative Governance
- Goals are complicated by divided versus unified government scenarios.
- Presidents often lead the legislative agenda but can experience friction with Congress.
- Historical case: Obama’s second-term frustrations led to executive actions in lieu of Congress.
Oversight Mechanisms
- Congress has power to investigate and hold the executive branch accountable.

Impact of the Presidency
- Key takeaway: The president's policies and administrative changes significantly affect daily life.
- The dynamic between executive orders and legislative processes raises concerns over stability and policy continuity, particularly amidst political polarization.
- The growing reliance on executive orders could lead to more frequent reversals of policies with each administration, impacting governance.
Additional Resources
- Recommended podcasts for further information:
  - Presidential by Washington Post.
  - American History Tellers.