3.8 Summary of the Executive Branch

​3.8 The Powers of the President

By Denis Macisaac

Main functions of the President?

• Main job is to "enforce laws" passed by the Congress. He does this by signing them once they reach his desk.

• To ensure that the laws are enforced, the president can issue an executive order, directing all federal departments to carry out or enforce the new law (s) that have been passed by Congress.

• He can nominate new judges, when positions become available.

• He makes treaties with foreign nations.

• He is the Commander and Chief of the nation's armed forces.

• He can pardon criminals of crimes so that they can seek and obtain employment.

What the President cannot do?

• Cannot make new laws. This is the role of Congress.

• He cannot declare war on another nation. He must receive the consent of Congress. This would be too much power for one person.

• He cannot declare laws unconstitutional. Only the courts can do this!

• He cannot appoint heads of government departments without the Consent of Congress.

• All presidential treaties must be approved by Congress.

• A president CANNOT pardon himself of crimes he may have committed.

Article 2- Why do we have a President?

• America's founders wanted something different. They wanted a leader who would be elected by the people for a term and then step down when the term was over. They did not want a King.

• Presidential powers are listed in Article 2. It is a small list, but presidential powers have been growing due to court cases and presidential actions dealing with situations impacting the country. Example: US involvement in foreign wars.
  

Checks and Balances: The Executive Branch.

• A "CHECK" happens when one branch has a direct role that impacts what another branch can do. Example: Congress passes a bill through both Houses, BUT the President can veto or say NO to that bill. This is a check!

• However, some "checks" do not really impact how another branch does its job, BUT can change the make up of who gets to sit in that branch. Example: The president can NOMINATE new judges. This is a check. Similarly, the Senate can deny this nomination, this is also a check!

Multiple Choice

What is the main job of the president of the United States?

• To be the Commander in Chief of the Armed forces!

• To enforce laws passed by Congress.

• To pardon people of crimes!

• To issue executive orders whenever Congress cannot act!

Multiple Choice

A president can nominate all heads of government departments but:

• The must be approved by the Senate.

• They must be approved by the House.

• They must be approved by the Courts!

• They must be reviewed by the Vice President.

Multiple Choice

Why does the President have a list of powers?

• Because they were assigned under Article 1 by the Founders!

• Because they were assigned under Article 2 by the Founders!

• Because they were assigned under Article 3 by the Founders!

• Because they were assigned under Article 4 by the Founders!

Multiple Choice

The president has the power to veto all bills coming from the Legislative Branch. This means:

• The bill will be declared unconstitutional

• The bill will be declared constitutional.

• The bill will be signed into law by the President.

• The bill will be sent back to Congress.

Match

Match the correct idea with its definition below.

• The president must ENFORCE all laws?

• The Legislative Branch can respond to presidential veto's by:

• The Supreme Court can?

• The president leads the military?

• The president makes "treaties".

He enforces laws by signing them!

Overriding the veto in Congress!

Review all laws and actions of govt.

He is the Commander & Chief.

They are agreements with other countries

• He enforces laws by signing them!

• Overriding the veto in Congress!

• Review all laws and actions of govt.

• He is the Commander & Chief.

• They are agreements with other countries

Poll

How well do you understand the powers of the president so far from this slide presentation?

• Great! I got this!

• Ok, I guess, but more practice would help!

• Honestly, I am just guessing!

• I understand some of it, but not others.