American Government - The President | Accounting

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Study GuideAmerican Government–The President1. The ExecuƟve BranchTheConstitution created the executive branch, headed by thepresident—a big change from theweak executive under the Articles of Confederation.•Some Founders wanted avery strong executive, almost like an elected king.•But the memory of fightingBritish monarchywas still fresh, so they settled for alimitedpresidency.1.1Powers of the PresidentThe Constitution gives the president the power to:•Execute the laws•Serve ascommander in chiefof the militaryThe Constitution doesnot clearly define the president’s rolein domestic or foreign policy.•People who wanted aweak presidentsaw the role as achief clerk, carrying out Congress’sorders.•But nothing in the Constitution prevented the presidency from becoming apowerfulleadership positionor arival to Congress.1.2Limits on the PresidencyThe president’s powers arechecked in several ways:•Congress can override vetoes•Senate must approve appointments•Term limits:Four-year term,maximum of two terms(22nd Amendment, 1951)•Impeachment:The House can bring formal charges, and the Senate can remove thepresident if convictedEven with these checks, thepower and influence of the presidency have grown significantlyoverthe past 200 years.

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Study Guide2.The Powers of the PresidentThe Constitutiongrants few specific powers to the president. Most ofArticle IIfocuses on:•How the president is elected•Term and qualifications•Succession and impeachment proceduresDespite this, presidential powers haveexpanded over timethrough:•Inherent powers(powers inferred from the Constitution)•Legislation passed by Congress2.1Treaty Power•The president cannegotiate treatieswith other nations.•Senate approval:Requires atwo-thirds voteto ratify.•Examples of treaty challenges:oTreaty of Versailles (1919):Rejected by the SenateoSALT II (1979):Senate refused action2.2Appointment Power•The president selects thousands of officials, including:oAmbassadorsoSupreme Court and federal court judgesoCabinet secretaries•Over2,000 positionsrequireSenate confirmation.•Patronage:Some appointments reward loyalty or campaign support.•Confirmation hearings can becomehighly controversial, e.g.,Clarence Thomas

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Study GuideLegislative Powers•The president canpropose legislation, usually via theState of the Union address.•Veto power:Rejecting a bill is a major check on Congress.oOverride:Requirestwo-thirds votein both chambers.2.3Other Specific Powers•Callspecial sessions of Congress•Adjourn Congress if House and Senate disagree on dates•Grantpardons for federal crimes(except impeachment)oExample:Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon2.4Inherent Powers•Powers inferred from the Constitution, often used inforeign policy.oExample:George Washingtondeclared neutrality in the1793 France-Britain war•Presidents can signexecutive agreementswithout Senate approval•Executive privilege:Protects confidential communications and sensitive informationoExample:Bill Clinton(Lewinsky scandal),George W. Bush(U.S. attorneysinvestigation)•Commander in chief:Presidents can send troops into combat without CongressoWar Powers Act (1973):Requires consultation and withdrawal after 60 days unlessCongress approvesHistorical examples of crisis response using inherent powers:•Lincoln:Civil War•FDR:Great Depression and World War II•George W. Bush:September 11, 2001Inherent powers can belimited by Congressor declaredunconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

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Study Guide2.5DelegaƟon of Powers•Congress oftendelegates powers to the presidentto handle domestic issues.oExample:FDRduring the Great Depression•Newcabinet departments and federal agencieshave expanded presidential authority over:oEducationoWelfareoEnvironmentoHomeland securityTrend:Over the 20th century, presidential powers have generallygrown at the expense ofCongress.3.The FuncƟons of the PresidentThe president has many duties, somelisted in the Constitutionand others that haveevolved overtime. How a president carries out these duties often depends on theirpersonalityand theirview ofthe presidency and government.•Example: TheState of the Unionaddress wasn’t delivered as a speech untilWoodrowWilson’s presidency.3.1Leadership StylesPresidents often take one of two approaches:1.Modern, active leaders:oSee themselves as representatives of all AmericansoPursue ambitious policies usinginherent powersoScholars praise this style because it leaves a strong mark on governmentoRisk: Maypush constitutional limits•Example:Abraham Lincolnsuspended habeas corpus•Example:Andrew JacksonandFDRchallenged the Supreme Court

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