Formal Sources of Presidential Power

Question 1

Chief Executive

Answer 1

The president has the power to run the government’s executive branch and uses the Executive Office of the President (EXOP) to help do this.

Question 2

Proposing legislation

Answer 2

The president has powers to propose legislation to Congress. The president proposes a legislative agenda to Congress in the yearly State of the Union Address but can also put forward legislation at any point in time. The budget is key legislation submitted by the president to Congress and is drawn up by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) which sits within the EXOP.

Question 3

Signing and vetoing

Answer 3

Once a bill is passed through the legislative process in Congress, the president has the power to sign the bill into law. If the president objects to legislation passed by Congress, they can veto it. If vetoed, the bill must be returned to Congress within 10 days. The president can use a pocket veto, which is when the president does not sign a bill until the Congressional session has ended, at which point the bill can no longer become law.

Question 4

Commander-in-Chief

Answer 4

The president has the power to lead the US armed forces in foreign policy action. In practice, the president asks for approval from Congress to use the army. The president will always carry the nuclear ‘football’, which has access to the nuclear codes to authorise a nuclear attack.

Question 5

Head of State

Answer 5

The president is the figurehead of the USA. The president carries out ceremonial functions on behalf of the USA and leads the nation during times of national crises. President George W. Bush led the US following the 9/11 terror attacks.

Question 6

Nominations, treaties and pardons

Answer 6

The president has the power to nominate judges to the Supreme Court and the federal courts. The president nominates officials to the executive branch, including the heads of the executive departments, ambassadors and heads of government agencies. Nominations must be approved by a vote in the Senate. The president can make and negotiate treaties with other countries. The president has the power to pardon citizens from criminal sentences. Obama used the pardoning power 212 times.