Consider: Why would the government not want you to buy these products?

Homework: Assignment 9 for Friday (Expansion of Power)

Consider: Who has more power: The President or Congress?

Homework: Assignment 9 for Friday (Expansion of Power)

The Powers of the PresidentAP Government and PoliticsChapter 7Unit 4

**Test Make-up Permit and Final Exam exemption

Constitutional Powers of the President

Appointment Power Legislative Power Foreign Policy Power Power to Preside over the Military as

Commander in Chief Pardoning Power

7.2

Appointment Power Nearly 3500 appointments not counting the

military Ambassadors Judges –

Most significant? Definitely most controversial Cabinet

Usually confirmed by Senate without much debate If Congress does not confirm or delays, it may

harm the relationship w/Prez, affect his cabinet, and influence public perception of Prez

May use “recess appointments” when possible

7.2

Legislative Powers Power to convene Congress

Used on extraordinary occasions e.g., Treaty ratification Less common now that Congress sits (almost) year-

round State of the Union

The beginning of the legislative session Lays out the goals the president would like to

have accomplished

7.2

Legislative Power – the Veto “Qualified negative”

Can be overruled by Congress Line-item veto

7.2

Foreign Policy Powers Treaties require Senate approval

2/3rds Fast track trade agreements

Bar amendments and require 90 day limit before a vote

Idea is to aid President’s ability to get these done and also to respect his stature in foreign policy

Executive agreements Non-binding, no Senate approval, sometimes secret

Receive ambassadors Recognize foreign governments Cuba, Iran, Bhutan, N. Korea, Kosovo, Libya, Taiwan

7.2

Consider: Get ready for the quick quiz.

Homework: Assignment 9 for Monday (Expansion of Power)

Military PowerCommander-in-Chief

Most important executive power When combined with power to “carry out the laws”

War Powers Resolution (1973) Controversy over Vietnam War Presidents must now seek prior approval to use force Most have done so

7.2

Pardoning Power Check on judicial branch Can be issued before or

after conviction Cannot be used for

impeachment Ford pardons Nixon

He was never impeached; he resigned and so was eligible for pardon

7.2

Pardons – GW BushRepublican President George W. Bush pardoned, commuted or

rescinded the convictions of 200 people during his term. Among them are:

• Lewis "Scooter" Libby – Chief of Staff to Dick Cheney was convicted of perjury in connection with the CIA leak scandal involving members of State Department who 'outed' CIA agent Valerie Plame

• José Compeán and Ignacio Ramos – Two US Border Patrol agents who wounded drug smuggler Osvaldo Aldrete Dávila and tried to cover up the incident received commutation.[22]

• Charles Winters – Posthumous pardon for smuggling three B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers to Israel in the late 1940s

• Issac Robert Toussie – Convicted of making false statements to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; pardoned and the pardon revoked one day later

• Edwin L. Cox Jr. – Convicted in 1988 for bank fraud• John Forté – Hip-hop singer and song writer sentenced for

smuggling cocaine was commuted.[23]

Democratic President Barack Obama has pardoned or commuted the convictions of 61 people during his terms of office, among them are:

• James Bernard Banks, of Liberty, Utah, sentenced to two years of probation in 1972 for illegal possession of government property.[26]

• Russell James Dixon, of Clayton, Ga., sentenced to two years of probation in 1960 for a liquor law violation.[26]

• Ronald Lee Foster, of Beaver Falls, Pa., sentenced in 1963 to a year of probation and a $20 fine for mutilating coins.[26]

• Roxane Kay Hettinger, Powder Springs, Ga., sentenced in 1986 to 30 days in jail and three years of probation for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.[26]

• Edgar Leopold Kranz Jr., of Minot, N.D., who received 24 months of confinement and a pay reduction for cocaine use, adultery and bouncing checks.[26]

• Floretta Leavy, of Rockford, Ill., sentenced in 1984 to 366 days in prison and three years of parole for drug offenses.[26]

• Scoey Lathaniel Morris, of Crosby, Texas, sentenced in 1991 to three years of probation and $1,200 restitution for counterfeiting offenses.[26]