2.4 Roles and Power of the President
3 min read•february 10, 2023
Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan
Jed Quiaoit
Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan
Jed Quiaoit
In this section, we will start discussing the , which is outlined in of the Constitution. The key person here? The President of the United States. The powers outlined here for the are not as specific as those for the legislative branch, but there are some things the President can do! 🤩
After all, presidents have a wide range of powers and responsibilities that they can use to accomplish their policy agenda. As the head of the of the federal government, the president has the authority to make decisions and take actions that have a significant impact on the nation.
Presidential Powers
Veto Powers and Signing Statements
When a bill comes to the president’s desk, he has several options. The first option is likely the simplest - he can sign the bill into law within 10 days. They can also veto a bill. This means that the bill is sent back to Congress, which can override it with ⅔ majority in both houses (which is generally unlikely). 🙅🏻
If the president does not sign the bill in 10 days and Congress is in session, the bill will become a law without the president’s signature.
If the president does not sign the bill in 10 days and Congress adjourns within those 10 days, the bill will not become law.
This is called a . The president can persuade Congress to modify a bill by threatening to veto the bill.
When the President does sign a bill, he/she can give his opinion on the law as well as his/her interpretation. It can also tell the how to enforce the law, and remember this is the main power of the .
Foreign Policy Powers
The President has several powers that fall into the realm of foreign policy. S/he is the of the American military. However, the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war. However, there have been several instances where troops were sent into armed conflict without a specific declaration of war from Congress (notably the Korean War and the Vietnam War).
The aims to give more power to the legislative branch by stating that there must be notification by the President to the legislative branch within 48 hours of deploying any troops 💬. This deployment can be for up to 60 days without a formal Congressional declaration. Money for war still comes from Congress! 💵
The President is also and can appoint ambassadors (with Senate confirmation), receive ambassadors, and recognize nations. Presidents often attend and host state visits to improve foreign relations.
Treaties and Executive Agreements
are formal and only the President, in his capacity as , is allowed to negotiate a treaty. It must be confirmed by the Senate with a ⅔ majority.
The (Wilson) is a great example of this. On the other hand, are more informal and are not approved by the Senate. It is not formal law, but is not binding. A great example of this is . 🎩
Executive Orders
are part of the President’s implied powers and allow for more management of the federal government.
They do not have to be approved by Congress, and is a way for the President to take more control of the actions of the federal government. 📜
may therefore lead to conflict with Congress and their agenda (this is something that is stated within section 2.5 of the College Board’s Course Description, but fits well here).
Source: Weebly
🎥 Watch: AP GOPO - Presidential Roles and Powers
Key Terms to Review (16)
Article II
: Article II of the United States Constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of the Executive Branch, headed by the President. It covers topics like election, qualifications, duties, and impeachment.Chief Diplomat
: As Chief Diplomat, the President decides what American diplomats and ambassadors will say to foreign governments. With help from advisors, he makes foreign policy decisions.Commander in Chief
: This is the role of the U.S. President as head of American armed forces. The President has ultimate authority over military matters but cannot declare war without approval from Congress.Executive Agreements
: These are international agreements made by the President of the United States with foreign nations, without needing Senate approval.Executive Branch
: The executive branch is responsible for implementing, enforcing, and administering laws. It's headed by the president and includes vice president and Cabinet members.Executive Orders
: These are directives issued by the President of the United States that manage operations of the federal government. They have the full force of law, but can be overturned by a Supreme Court decision or new legislation.Foreign Policy Powers
: These are powers held by the president in guiding U.S. relations with foreign nations including making treaties, appointing ambassadors, and conducting diplomacy.Pocket Veto
: A pocket veto is a legislative maneuver that allows a president or other official with veto power to exercise that power over a bill by taking no action (instead of affirmatively vetoing it).President of the United States
: The President is both head of state and head of government in America, responsible for executing federal law, appointing officials with Senate approval, negotiating treaties, and serving as commander-in-chief.Presidential Powers
: These are the powers granted to the President of the United States by the Constitution, which include executing federal law, appointing and removing executive officials, negotiating treaties, and granting pardons.SALT I
: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Agreement signed in 1972 between US President Nixon and Soviet Leader Brezhnev. This agreement limited the number of missiles in each nation and led to the SALT II discussions and a slowdown of the arms race between the US and USSR.Signing Statements
: These are written pronouncements issued by the President upon signing a bill into law, often presenting his interpretation of the law and how it should be implemented.Treaties
: A treaty is an agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law such as sovereign states and international organizations.Treaty of Versailles
: This was a peace treaty at the end of World War I which established new nations, borders, and war reparations. It held Germany responsible for starting the war and imposed heavy penalties on them.Veto Powers
: This is one of presidential powers where he/she can reject bills passed by Congress preventing it from becoming law unless overridden by two-thirds vote in both houses.War Powers Act
: The War Powers Act is a federal law passed in 1973 that checks the president's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of Congress.2.4 Roles and Power of the President
3 min read•february 10, 2023
Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan
Jed Quiaoit
Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan
Jed Quiaoit
In this section, we will start discussing the , which is outlined in of the Constitution. The key person here? The President of the United States. The powers outlined here for the are not as specific as those for the legislative branch, but there are some things the President can do! 🤩
After all, presidents have a wide range of powers and responsibilities that they can use to accomplish their policy agenda. As the head of the of the federal government, the president has the authority to make decisions and take actions that have a significant impact on the nation.
Presidential Powers
Veto Powers and Signing Statements
When a bill comes to the president’s desk, he has several options. The first option is likely the simplest - he can sign the bill into law within 10 days. They can also veto a bill. This means that the bill is sent back to Congress, which can override it with ⅔ majority in both houses (which is generally unlikely). 🙅🏻
If the president does not sign the bill in 10 days and Congress is in session, the bill will become a law without the president’s signature.
If the president does not sign the bill in 10 days and Congress adjourns within those 10 days, the bill will not become law.
This is called a . The president can persuade Congress to modify a bill by threatening to veto the bill.
When the President does sign a bill, he/she can give his opinion on the law as well as his/her interpretation. It can also tell the how to enforce the law, and remember this is the main power of the .
Foreign Policy Powers
The President has several powers that fall into the realm of foreign policy. S/he is the of the American military. However, the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war. However, there have been several instances where troops were sent into armed conflict without a specific declaration of war from Congress (notably the Korean War and the Vietnam War).
The aims to give more power to the legislative branch by stating that there must be notification by the President to the legislative branch within 48 hours of deploying any troops 💬. This deployment can be for up to 60 days without a formal Congressional declaration. Money for war still comes from Congress! 💵
The President is also and can appoint ambassadors (with Senate confirmation), receive ambassadors, and recognize nations. Presidents often attend and host state visits to improve foreign relations.
Treaties and Executive Agreements
are formal and only the President, in his capacity as , is allowed to negotiate a treaty. It must be confirmed by the Senate with a ⅔ majority.
The (Wilson) is a great example of this. On the other hand, are more informal and are not approved by the Senate. It is not formal law, but is not binding. A great example of this is . 🎩
Executive Orders
are part of the President’s implied powers and allow for more management of the federal government.
They do not have to be approved by Congress, and is a way for the President to take more control of the actions of the federal government. 📜
may therefore lead to conflict with Congress and their agenda (this is something that is stated within section 2.5 of the College Board’s Course Description, but fits well here).
Source: Weebly
🎥 Watch: AP GOPO - Presidential Roles and Powers
Key Terms to Review (16)
Article II
: Article II of the United States Constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of the Executive Branch, headed by the President. It covers topics like election, qualifications, duties, and impeachment.Chief Diplomat
: As Chief Diplomat, the President decides what American diplomats and ambassadors will say to foreign governments. With help from advisors, he makes foreign policy decisions.Commander in Chief
: This is the role of the U.S. President as head of American armed forces. The President has ultimate authority over military matters but cannot declare war without approval from Congress.Executive Agreements
: These are international agreements made by the President of the United States with foreign nations, without needing Senate approval.Executive Branch
: The executive branch is responsible for implementing, enforcing, and administering laws. It's headed by the president and includes vice president and Cabinet members.Executive Orders
: These are directives issued by the President of the United States that manage operations of the federal government. They have the full force of law, but can be overturned by a Supreme Court decision or new legislation.Foreign Policy Powers
: These are powers held by the president in guiding U.S. relations with foreign nations including making treaties, appointing ambassadors, and conducting diplomacy.Pocket Veto
: A pocket veto is a legislative maneuver that allows a president or other official with veto power to exercise that power over a bill by taking no action (instead of affirmatively vetoing it).President of the United States
: The President is both head of state and head of government in America, responsible for executing federal law, appointing officials with Senate approval, negotiating treaties, and serving as commander-in-chief.Presidential Powers
: These are the powers granted to the President of the United States by the Constitution, which include executing federal law, appointing and removing executive officials, negotiating treaties, and granting pardons.SALT I
: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Agreement signed in 1972 between US President Nixon and Soviet Leader Brezhnev. This agreement limited the number of missiles in each nation and led to the SALT II discussions and a slowdown of the arms race between the US and USSR.Signing Statements
: These are written pronouncements issued by the President upon signing a bill into law, often presenting his interpretation of the law and how it should be implemented.Treaties
: A treaty is an agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law such as sovereign states and international organizations.Treaty of Versailles
: This was a peace treaty at the end of World War I which established new nations, borders, and war reparations. It held Germany responsible for starting the war and imposed heavy penalties on them.Veto Powers
: This is one of presidential powers where he/she can reject bills passed by Congress preventing it from becoming law unless overridden by two-thirds vote in both houses.War Powers Act
: The War Powers Act is a federal law passed in 1973 that checks the president's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of Congress.
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