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The Presidency
Qualifications (Article II Section 1 U.S. Constitution) Natural born citizen At least 35 years old Resided in USA at least 14 years Job Description (Article II Section 2) Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces (Article II Section 2) Makes treaties with advise and consent of Senate Appoints ambassadors, consuls and Judges of Supreme Court Grants pardons (except for impeachment) Term in office: 4 years (Article II Section 1) May serve only two terms ( 22nd Amendment) Vice President becomes acting President If President becomes disabled Must have VP and President's cabinet determine disability (25th Amendment) Upon death, resignation or removal of President Vice President becomes President If Vice President can not serve Speaker of the House becomes President The President can be impeached for treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors Article II Section 4 Impeachment: The equivalent of being indicted for a crime Accomplished by the House of Representatives By majority vote After vote for impeachment by House the case against the President goes to the Senate Senate holds a trial with Chief Justice as Judge Senate sits as jury A 2/3 vote in the Senate required to remove the President from office Constitutional Powers Few listed in the Constitution (Article II Section 1, 2 and 3) National Security: Commander and Chief Treaties with 2/3 of Senate Nominates ambassadors with the majority of the Senate Administrative: "Take care that laws be faithfully executed" Nominates officials with consent of majority of the Senate Requests written opinions of admin officials Fills administrative vacancies during Congressional recesses Judicial: Nominates federal judges, who are confirmed by a majority of the Senate Appoints Supreme Court Justices who are onfirmed by the Senate Grants reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment) The Cabinet: Presidential advisors Not mentioned in Constitution Executive Office: National Security Council Pres., Vice Pres. and Sec of State and Defense Council of Economic Advisors Three members appointed by President Advise on matters of the economy Office of Management and Budget Managerial and Budgetary functions Veto Power of the President: Constitutional Power Send bill back to Congress with reasons why rejected Congress can override veto Takes a 2/3 vote By House of Representatives By Senate Commander and Chief: Article II Section 2 War Powers Resolution Reaction to Vet Nam Pres. must consult with Congress if conflict lasts more than 60 days Congress may declare war or grant an extension Legislative veto - probably unconstitutional violation of separation of power Presidential Power not found in Constitution: Political influence Presidential coattails Casting votes for others due to Pres. support Party leadership "bully pulpit" Many others Legislative: State of the Union Recommends legislation to Congress Convenes Congress on extraordinary events Adjourns Congress if they can't Vetoes legislation (But, Congress can overrule by 2/3 vote in each house) |
