Where do non-constitutional
Powers come from?
Reasons why the President is
able to expand his power.
Sources
Unity of Office
– Power is held by one man, as opposed to the
535 member congress
Character
Strong personalities can have great
impact.
Complexity of Society
Because of a growth of technology and
industry people have demanded that the
government play a larger role in areas of
public concern.
Congressional delegation
of authority to the Exec
Broad legislation lets the Executive “fill in
the holes”
Congress often bows to Presidential
demands in times of Crisis
Congress Con’t
Congress bows to President when he can
proclaim a mandate from the people after
a large victory
USE OF THE ELECTRONIC
THRONE
Superpower Status = non-stop
crisis
War Powers of the President
- Congress vs. President
- Presidents have sent troops without
congressional approval more than 125
times since 1945.
- The President can do this because of his
emergency powers.
Emergency Powers
The President Can:
suspend habeas
corpus
Censorship of mail
Control manufacturing
Control
communication
Control transportation
Declare martial law
Use of Executive Agreements
Does not need Senate approval
Since FDR the use of the Executive order
has grown greatly
From 1933-1998 14,719 executive orders
have been issued
Executive Agreements are usually of great
importance
Executive privilege
The right of the President to not divulge
conversations between himself and his
advisers.
U.S vs. Nixon (1974) Presidents can use
them most of the time but not in criminal
cases.
Impoundment
The refusal of the President to spend $
appropriated by congress
Done when there was an obvious need,
such as, reducing defense spending after
a war ended
Nixon, however, impounded funds for
policy objectives.
Use of Veto
The threat of a veto
can often influence
changes in
Legislation
It is difficult to muster
a 2/3 override. More
than 93% of vetoes
are sustained.
Role: Chief of State
Acts as example for and symbol of the
United States
Represents America at special occasions
and ceremonies.
Kings and Queens are heads of state.
Awarding medals and speechmaking are
examples of this role.
Role: Chief Executive
Acts as boss of federal government
workers in 15 executive departments.
These departments help the President
carry out, enforce, or execute the law.
The president chooses cabinet members
to advise and assist him.
Example: Holding cabinet meetings and
appointing federal officials.
The Chief Executive
The Offices of the Executive Branch are
found in the White House and other
federal buildings in Washington D.C.
Chief Diplomat
Treaty making with advice and consent of
the Senate
Establishment of diplomatic relations with
other nations
Receiving of foreign diplomats
Drafting and signing of Executive
Agreements
Role: Commander-In-Chief
In charge of US Armed Forces.
President decides where armed forces
are to be stationed, weapons to be
used.
Secretary of Defense under President.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is the top
military commander under President.
Commander-in-Chief
Civilian leader of the military
Assignment of troops with congressional
declaration of war
– Delegates field decisions to military commanders
– Assumes vast powers on home front
Send troops abroad without formal “war”
– Ex.: Vietnam, Persian Gulf
– War Powers Resolution (1973) limits this power a bit
Role: Chief Legislator
Congress has the power to make laws.
President can propose bills and must sign
bills into law.
He often calls members of Congress to
lobby for his agenda.
Presents his agenda to Congress in the
annual State of the Union address.
Role: Chief Legislator
President Reagan before a joint-session of
Congress.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKm7s
PRYL_U&safety_mode=true&persist_safet
y_mode=1
Chief Guardian of the Economy
Monitors
– unemployment,
– Inflation, taxation, business,
– and general welfare of the nation.
– He does not control the economy, but he gets
credit if it goes well.
Role: Chief of the Party
Presidents help members of their party
get elected or appointed to office.
They make campaign speeches needed
for re-election.
Head of fund-raising for the party.