The Executive Branch

What is the Executive Branch?

The executive branch of the Government is responsible for enforcing the laws of the land.

1. President2. Vice President3. Cabinet Members

Advises the President on policy issues and help execute those policies

4. Independent Agencies Help execute policy or

provide special services

7 Roles of the PresidentRole Function

1. Commander in Chief Head of nation’s armed forces (However, the president cannot declare war).

2. Chief of State Ceremonial head of government, and a symbol of all American people.

3. Chief Diplomat Directs foreign policy & is the nation’s spokesperson to the rest of the world.

4. Chief Executive The president has executive powers enumerated by the Constitution.

5. Chief Legislator Helps shape public policy of congressional agenda.

6. Chief of the Party In this role, the president tends to be unifying force for the party.

7. Chief Guardian of the Economy The president does not control the economy, but is expected to help it run smoothly.

The President The President is the Head of the Executive Branch and

generally viewed as the head of the U.S. Government.

Presidential power as outlined by the Constitution

1. Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces2. Make treaties, with two-thirds consent of the Senate &

Receive ambassadors and other public ministers from foreign countries

3. Appoint ambassadors, Supreme Court justices, federal judges, and any officials as provided for by the Congress, with the approval of the Senate

4. Give an annual State of the Union Address to Congress5. Recommend legislation to Congress6. Convene Congress on extraordinary occasions7. Adjourn Congress, in cases of a disagreement about

adjournment8. “Take care that the laws be faithfully executed”9. Fill in administrative vacancies during Congressional

recesses10. Grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the U.S.

EXECUTIVEPOWERS

DIPLOMATICPOWERS

MILITARYPOWERS

LEGISLATIVEPOWERS

POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

JUDICIALPOWERS

1. EXECUTIVE POWERS

EXECUTIVE POWERS ARE THOSE POWERS THE PRESIDENT HAS AND USES TO MAKE SURE THAT FEDERAL LAWS ARE CARRIED OUT.

THEY INCLUDE:

EXECUTINGTHE LAW

APPOINTING POWER

REMOVAL POWER

ORDINANCE POWER

EXECUTING THE LAW

THE PRESIDENT HAS THE JOB, RESPONSIBILITY, AND DUTY TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL LAWS ARE ENFORCED AND ADMINISTERED.

Article II Section 1 “The executive Power shall be vested in a President of

the United States of America.”

*An EXECUTIVE ORDER is a directive, rule, or regulation that has the effect of law.

The ORDINANCE POWER

Emancipation Proclamation Executive Order 7034

Created the WPA Executive Order 9066

Japanese-American Internment

THE APPOINTING POWER

The President has the power to appoint nearly three million federal civilian employees.

With the approval of the Senate, the president can appoint: Judges Cabinet Members Ambassadors, etc.

SENATORIAL COURTESY Presidential Appointments

Need the Appointees Home Senator’s Approval

“… more than 500 government positions dependent upon Senate confirmation were still vacant or filled only by “acting” officials.”

THE REMOVAL POWER

The President can remove anyone from office who he has appointed. *Cannot remove

Supreme Court Justices from the bench.

Andrew Johnson Vs.

Sec. of War Edwin Stanton

2. DIPLOMATIC POWERS

THE PRESIDENTS DIPLOMATIC POWERS CAN BE AMONG HIS MOST POWERFUL.

THEY INCLUDE:1. Power to Make

Treaties Senate has to approve

2. Power of Executive Agreements

3. Power of Recognition

3. MILITARY POWERS

*During wartime, the president can make critical decisions that he feels are necessary AS COMMANDER-in-CHIEF.

Article II Section 2 of the Constitution declares the president

the Commander in Chief of the Armed Services

3. MILITARY POWERS

The President also has the power to send troops into combat, without approval by Congress. This is referred to as undeclared war.

War Powers Act of 1973 Presidents cannot

commit combat for more than 60 days without Congress’s approval.

3. MILITARY POWERS

Finally, the President can use troops for domestic peace within the United States.

Governor Orval Faubus vs.

President Eisenhower

4. Legislative Powers of the President

Only Congress can write legislation; however, presidents may propose laws and programs to Congress

The President may only recommend legislation. If he does so, then a member of Congress may introduce the

bill for consideration.

Legislative Powers of the President

“Power of the Veto”

When Congress passes a bill in both houses, they send it to the White House. The President has 3

options: 1. Sign the bill into

law2. Veto the bill3. Do nothing

5. JUDICIAL POWERS

1. PARDON – ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENT IT IS LEGAL FORGIVENESS FOR A CRIME

2. AMNESTY – ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENT IT IS A PARDON FOR A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE

3. REPRIEVE – ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENT IT IS POSTPONING A SENTENCE

4. COMMUTATION- ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENT IT IS A REDUCTION OF A SENTENCE

ACCORDING TO ARTICLE II, SECTION 2, CLAUSE 1 THE PRESIDENT HAS THE POWER TO ISSUE:

Limits on Presidential Power

Limitations by Congress

Limitations by the Court

Limitations through Bureaucracy

Limitations by Public Opinion

Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company

v. Sawyer