Chapter 14 Outline Flashcards
Describe how presidential power has grown.
- As the country has become more industrialized and technologically advanced, the people have demanded that the federal government/president take a larger role in transportation, communications, health, welfare, employment, education, civil rights, etc.
- The need for immediate and decisive action in times of crisis (i.e. during time of war) has strengthened the executive branch.
- Congress has passed thousands of laws that has contributed to the federal government’s growth.
Executive Powers of President
- Executive Order
- Appointment Power
- Removal Power
Legislative Powers of President
- Recommendation of Legislation
- Signing/Vetoing a Bill
- Calling Special Session of Congress
Judicial Powers of President
- Pardon
- Reprieve
- Amnesty
- Commutation
Roosevelt’s v. Taft’s View
Roosevelt: broad view of executive power; believes that the President should be able to do whatever is necessary and imperative for the nation (shouldn’t have to find some specific authorization to do it)
Taft: believes the President can exercise no power that cannot be fairly and reasonably traced to some specific grant of power (either in the Constitution or some law passed by Congress)
Article II
Constitution’s Executive Article; establishes presidency and grants other specific presidential powers as well; called the “most loosely drawn chapter” in the Constitution
Appointment Power
gives the executive branch and the President, not Congress, the power to appoint federal officials; appointments must be approved by Senate
Removal Power
gives President the power to remove any officer he has appointed, except federal judges; Constitution does not say how or by whom appointed officers may be dismissed
Ordinance Power
in cases when Parliament is not in session, and ‘immediate action’ is needed, the President can issue an ordinance (law that can result in legislative changes); power to issue executive orders; arises from two sources: Constitution and acts of Congress
Executive Order
directive, rule, or regulation that has the effect of law
Diplomatic Powers
allow the president to form and maintain relationships with foreign countries (power to make treaties, executive agreements, and power of recognition)
Military Power
President is Commander in Chief of the nation’s armed forces
War Powers Act
limits President’s use of military forces; (1) President must detail the circumstances and scope of his actions 48 hours after committing American forces to combat abroad, (2) a commitment of American forces must end within 60 days, unless Congress agrees to a longer period, (3) Congress may end combat commitment at any time by passing a concurrent resolution
Executive Agreement
pact between the President and the head of a foreign state, or between their subordinates (does not require Senate consent)
Power of Recognition
when the President receives the diplomatic representatives of another foreign state, he acknowledges the legal existence of that country and its government (accepts country as an equal in the family of nations)
