Powers given to President in Constitution1. Appointment Power
2. Power to Convene Congress
3. Power to Make Treaties
4. Veto Power
5. Power of Commander & Chief
6. Pardoning Power
7. Ordinance Power
Who can the president appoint to the executive branch? Who must approve?
Who can Pres. nominate/appoint?
Pres. Has the power to appoint/nominate…
Supreme Court Justices
Ambassadors
Federal Judges
President’s Cabinet- 14 departments which are his formal body of advisors
Presidential Appointments- Approx. 3,000 Cabinet, Ambassadors, Military officers, Judges…
Senate Approves
The Supreme Court, 2010The Roberts Court, October 2010
These justices have extremely important roles in our government; they are judges for the rest of their livesVery influential.
Nominates leaders of all the President’s cabinet departments
President’s Cabinet
Cabinet secretaries (leaders) nominated by
Pres. Secretary John Kerry, State
Power to Convene CongressState of Union Address
Once a year
Call Congress in to deal with specific
issues!
Veto Power- veto bill passed in Congress Pocket Veto;- At end of
Congressional session, once Congress has adjourns, President has 10 days from time bill is sent to the Whitehouse, if he does not approve the bill it will not pass. A way of vetoing without a
formal veto.
Veto the Law; Congress can override with 2/3 vote
Power to Make TreatiesWho approves treaties?
What is a treaty? Formal agreement between
two or more countries
President usually negotiates treaties through the Secretary of State.
Many treaties in history; NAFTA Human Rights Treaties Nuclear Treaties Global Warming Treaties
Senate must approve by 2/3 vote!
Pardon Power Pardon- issued by Pres. It is
legal forgiveness for a crime.
President Ford pardoned Nixon for Watergate crimes.
Amnesty- issued by Pres. to pardon a large group of people.
Pres. Carter gave amnesty to “Vietnam War Draft evaders.”
Power of Commander & Chief Leader of the Armed forces
of America Army Navy Maries Air force National guard & coast
guard
Ordinance Power- power to issue executive orders.. Executive Order- is a
directive, rule or regulation that has the effect of a law.
While the order is not an actual law, it is treated like one.
Clinton’s “Don’t ask don’t tell” gays in the military policy
This power is an inherent power, not expressed or stated in the constitution. Take Care clause…
Obama signs order to raise minimum wage for federal contractors
Executive PrivilegeClaims by presidents that certain pieces of info are reserved for their eyes only
Executive Privilege also an implied power!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 (1973) – presidents do NOT have unqualified executive privilege (Nixon Watergate tapes)