Chapter 7 Section 2

The President’s Job

Vocabulary:• Veto – To officially reject a law presented for

approval

• Congress- The Legislative Branch of the United States Government, consisted of the Senate and the House of Representatives

• Pardon – to be excused from punishment

• Executive Order – a command or rule established by the President that has the same effect as a law

• Reprieve – an order to delay a punishment until a higher court can hear the case

• Amnesty – a pardon that covers a group of people

• Appointment – to name someone to a position

• Diplomat – an official representing a country in another country

Vocabulary:

• Bills – ideas for laws that are to be voted on in Congress

• Fiscal Year – calendar used for taxing and business purposes

Vocabulary:

1. Which Article of the constitution describes the powers of the President?

• Article II– “Executive Power shall be invested in a

President…”– The person in charge of carrying out the laws in

the United States is a President– MAIN JOB: Carry out laws made by congress

2. List the Constitutional Powers of the President.

• Veto bills passed in congress• Call special sessions of Congress• Serve as Commander in Chief of the military• Host foreign leaders• Make treaties with other countries*• Appoints heads of executive agencies, federal court

judges, ambassadors, and other government officials*

• Pardon or Reduce Sentences of Federal Criminals* Requires Congressional Approval

3. What is the “State of the Union” Address?

• A speech given by the president yearly to update Congress and the Nation on the progress that has been made through out the Country, the needs of the Nation, and the President’s vision on how to improve the Nation

• Given in January• Televised by all major networks

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sotu

4. What is the most important role of the President?

• Chief Executive:– Uses 15 cabinet positions to ensure laws are carried out – Has the authority to issue executive orders– Appoints Supreme Court Justices who have the final say

in if a law is going to become a law– Has the power to override punishments with pardons,

reprieves, and amnesty

5. How many cabinet departments is the President in charge of?

• 15 departments– Agriculture– Commerce– Defense– Education– Energy– Health and Human

Services– Homeland Security– Housing and Urban

Development

– Interior– Labor– State– Transportation– Treasury– Veterans Affairs– Attorney General

6. Why is an executive order needed?

• The President does not have the power to make laws, only Congress can make laws

• The power is needed in order to ensure that the law is faithfully executed

7. What branch of government does the President make appointments to?

• The Supreme Court– Congress must approve appointments– Presidents appoint justices who have views similar

to theirs

8. What power does the President have when dealing with criminals?

• Pardon

• Amnesty

• Reprieve

9. What is the President’s Responsibility as chief diplomat?

• Making decisions on how the United States will deal with other countries

• Current example: CUBA

10. What does the role of Commander in Chief allow the President to do?

• The President is in charge of ALL branches of the Armed Forces– Armed Forces: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine

Corps, and Navy• Gives the power to enforce all foreign relations• Cannot declare war, Congress holds that power– War has been declared 5 times in US History

• Can send troops into action without Congressional Approval– Troops have been sent into action more that 150 times

overseas

11. Describe the War Powers Resolution.

• Passed in 1973 in response to the Vietnam Conflict

• Limits the President’s power to send troops into battle

• War Powers Resolution, 1973– Congress must receive 48 hours of notification before

troops are sent into action– Troops must be brought home within 60 days unless

Congress gives approval or declares war

12. Describe how the President and Congress work together to pass laws. What are some complications to this process?

• The President and their cabinet present legislation that they would like passed called a Legislative Program

• Congress then works on drafting legislation to address this program

• The President and Congress often have conflicting view points, President represents everyone, Congress only their district

13. As Head of State, what is expected from the President?

• To entertain foreign dignitaries

• Preform ceremonies through out the year

14. When it comes to the economy what is expected of the President every year?

• The President sets up programs to help improve unemployment, rising prices, and rising taxes

• The President must present a budget to congress for approval– Failure to gain approval within the year can lead to

governmental shutdown

15. How does the President help his political party in exchange for the hard work the party put in to get them elected?

• They give speeches at party events

• They support candidates during elections

• Fundraising