4 The Presidency Free Online FlashCards

What is the president’s central constitutional responsibility?

Article II vests executive power in one president, who must take care that federal laws are faithfully executed.

Does the duty to enforce federal law give the president general lawmaking power?

No. The president supervises implementation of laws enacted by Congress but has no general power to make laws.

How are military powers divided between the president and Congress?

The president is commander in chief, while Congress has related powers, including declaring war and funding the military.

How are principal federal officers generally appointed?

The president nominates ambassadors, federal judges, and other principal officers, generally subject to Senate confirmation.

What Senate vote is required to approve a treaty?

Treaties require approval by a two-thirds vote of senators present.

What is one constitutional limit on the president’s pardon power?

The president may grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses, except in cases of impeachment.

How can Congress override a presidential veto?

Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in each chamber.

What limits apply to presidential executive orders?

Executive directives must rest on constitutional or statutory authority; they cannot replace legislation or contradict federal law.

What did the Supreme Court decide in Youngstown (1952)?

In Youngstown, the Supreme Court rejected President Truman’s attempt to seize steel mills without congressional authorization.

When is presidential authority strongest under Jackson’s Youngstown framework?

Presidential authority is strongest when Congress authorizes an action and weakest when the action conflicts with Congress’s expressed or implied will.

Can a president fund a proposed program merely by announcing it?

The president can propose a program and urge Congress to fund it, but cannot create the required funding just by announcing the proposal.

What is the Cabinet’s principal role?

The Cabinet consists principally of executive department heads, who advise the president and manage their departments.