Unit 2 Topic 2 Executive Branch

“The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America… he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” -US Constitution, Article II, Sections 3

This part of the Constitution is often used to justify the use of executive orders, which give presidents the ability to —

• shape policy via agencies in the executive branch

• create new legislation outside of Congress

• declare war in times of crisis

• ignore judicial review

“The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America… he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” -US Constitution, Article II, Section 3

How does Article II of the Constitution address the president’s role in the execution of laws?

• The president can write new laws if Congress fails to act

• The president must faithfully carry out and enforce the laws passed by Congress

• The president has the power to declare laws unconstitutional

• The president can choose which laws to enforce and which to ignore

“He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union…” -US Constitution, Article II, Section 3

Why did the Founders include this requirement?

• To ensure the president could veto bills that Congress had already passed

• To make sure Congress stayed informed about national issues and the president’s policy ideas

• To give the president power to control when Congress meets

• To require the president to deliver an oral speech every January

“He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union…” -US Constitution, Article II, Section 3

Today, this requirement is met when the president —

• meets with the Supreme Court

• delivers the State of the Union Address to Congress

• issues an executive order

• calls Congress into session

“The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States…” US Constitution, Article II, Section 2

How does Congress check this responsibility of the president?

• It has the power to declare war

• It has the power to institute a draft

• It has the power to command troops directly

• It has the power to issue pardons

Which presidential role is being demonstrated in this photo?

• Chief of State

• Commander in Chief

• Chief Legislator

• Chief Diplomat

Which executive department oversees foreign policy and diplomacy and was created in 1789?

• Commerce

• Interior

• Justice

• State

Which department manages government finances and economic policy?

• Treasury

• Commerce

• Interior

• Justice

Which department was created most recently?

• Homeland Security

• Veterans Affairs

• Defense

• Education

The president using a televised speech to influence public opinion on healthcare reform is an example of —

• veto power

• the bully pulpit

• judicial review

• diplomacy