Chapter Six

The Federal GovernmentThe Executive Branch

~~~~~Powers and Roles of the

President

Roles of the Presidentthe President plays many roles as leader of the U.S.

Chief Executive• the president is head of the executive branch

• Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution provides that "the executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America."

• responsible for executing the laws passed by Congress and enforcing decisions of the federal courts

• chooses officials and advisers to help run the Executive Branch• holds Cabinet meetings to discuss government business• participates in all phases of government• writes the yearly federal budget• issues executive orders

• chief executive • chief legislator

• commander in chief • chief diplomat

• chief of state • party chief

• chief jurist

Chief Legislator• president recommends, or suggests, needed laws to Congress• signs bills into laws or uses his veto power• delivers messages to Congress

• speeches before Congress or sent in writing• Constitution requires that the president "shall from time to time give to the

Congress information of [about] the state of the Union, and recommend to their [Congress's] consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary.“

• State of the Union Address• every year, usually in late January• televised speech to a joint session of Congress• sets forth the programs and policies that the president wants Congress

to put into effect as laws• usually addresses the country's most pressing concerns

• economic message• recommends how the federal government should raise and spend its

money• reviews the country's economic condition• recommends various laws and programs to help the economy

Roles of the President

Commander in Chief• head of the U.S. armed forces• all military officers ultimately answer to the president

• in a time of war or in peacetime• does not actually lead U.S. forces into battle• in constant contact with U.S. military leaders• has the final say in planning how a war is to be fought• only one who can authorize use of nuclear weapons• may send U.S. forces into any part of the world where danger

threatens

War Powers Act – 1973• limits the president's military power

• resulted from Vietnam War• requires that the president recall troops sent abroad within 60 days, unless

Congress approves the action• may be extended to 90 days if needed to ensure safe removal of U.S.

troops

Roles of the President

Chief Diplomat• in charge of conducting U.S. foreign policy

• government's plan for interacting with the other countries of the world• seeks to secure friendly relations with foreign governments• must preserve national security• appoints officials to represent the U.S. government in

foreign countries• secretary of state, ambassadors, consuls, ministers

• meets with leaders and representatives of other countries• meetings held both in the U.S. and in the officials' home nations

• visits foreign countries to build international friendship and security and promote U.S. interests

• corresponds with the leaders of foreign governments• diplomatic notes - written communications among diplomats• access to a computerized communications system

• direct connection with other governments in an emergency• makes treaties - written agreements with other countries

• must be made with the advice and consent of the Senate• Senate must approve a treaty by a two-thirds vote• the president must see that the treaty is carried out

Roles of the President

Checking the Judicial BranchJudicial Powers – Chief Jurist• appoints Supreme Court justices and all federal judges

• must be approved by a majority vote of the Senate• grant reprieves to those who have committed certain federal crimes

• postpones the carrying out of a person's sentence• grant pardons to those who have committed certain federal crimes

• forgives a person convicted of a crime and frees them from serving out the sentence

• grant commutations to those who have committed certain federal crimes• making a convicted person's sentence less severe

Chief of State• symbol of the United States and its people• greets visiting foreign heads of state• travels to other countries to strengthen ties and improve relations• performs many ceremonial duties

• awarding medals to honor worthy citizens• pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey • lighting the nation's Christmas tree• calling Super Bowl winners• throwing out the first baseball to open the baseball season

Party Chief• leader of his political party• makes speeches in favor of other party members

who are running for public office• helps the party raise money for its political campaigns, candidates, and programs

Roles of the President