Comparing Executive and Legislative Powers
President
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Formal
Powers
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Informal
Powers
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Domestic Policy
Legislative powers (veto,
pocket veto, signing
legislation)
State of the Union address
Appointment power (to a
domestic office)
Convening/adjourning
Congress/filling vacancies
Chief executive role
(“faithfully execute the law”
clause)
o Require written
opinions from each
executive department
o Pardons/reprieves
Chief of State role (primarily
ceremonial)
Domestic Policy
Executive order
Executive privilege
Proposes budget to
Congress
Chief legislator role
(proposing agenda,
logrolling, persuasion)
Party leader
Access to media/bully
pulpit/morale building
Agenda setting
Muster up public opinion
Managing the economy
Acquisition of territory
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Foreign Policy
Commander-in-chief; power
to deploy troops
Appointment of ambassadors
Chief Diplomat role
o Negotiate/make treaties
o Recognition of nations
o receive ambassadors and
other public ministers
Congress
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Foreign Policy
Executive agreements
Meeting with world leaders
Crisis manager
International coalition
building
President has access to more
information, knowledge, and
expertise than Congress
Recognized as global leader
Commands nuclear arsenal
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Domestic Policy
Pass laws/resolutions related to
domestic policy Regulate
interstate commerce
Override veto
Controls federal budget
(initiated in the House)
Conducts oversight and
investigations
Confirm domestic appointments
(Senate only)
Impeachment of federal officials
Creates federal agencies
Establishes federal court system
Propose constitutional
amendments
Select the president when tie in
electoral college
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Foreign Policy
Pass laws/resolutions
related to foreign policy
issues
Confirm ambassadors
(Senate only)
Ratify treaties (Senate
only)
Power of purse in
military/foreign policy
matters
Declare war
Regulate foreign
commerce (including
trade agreements)
Domestic & Foreign Policy
Uses the commerce clause to justify regulatory prerogative
Uses implied powers to enact whatever is necessary and proper to
accomplish their expressed powers (elastic clause)
War Powers Resolution (limits/checks president’s ability to commit
troops)