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The president has many important duties that affect all Americans.
Presidential Powers
SS.7.C.3.3, SS.7.C.3.8, LA.7.1.6.1, LA.7.1.7.3
What are the duties of the president?
Fewer than 50 men have known what it feels like to be president of the United States. Some former presidents’ thoughts are
revealing.
"The presidency has made every man who occupied it, no matter how small, bigger than he was; and no matter how big, not
big enough for its demands.”
—Lyndon B. Johnson
The president is the head of just one of the three branches of government. However, he or she is one of only two officials in
the federal government elected by the entire nation. The other official is the vice president. As a result, the president is a
symbol of both the federal government and the entire nation.
The president is the most powerful public official in the United States. The U.S. Constitution is the basis of the president’s
power. Article II says that “Executive Power shall be invested in a President.” Thus, the president’s main job is to execute, or
carry out, the laws passed by Congress.
Beyond the responsibility to carry out the laws, the Constitution gives the president several specific powers:
He or she can veto, or reject, bills passed in Congress.
He or she can call Congress into special session.
He or she serves as commander in chief of the armed forces.
He or she receives leaders and other officials of foreign countries.
He or she can make treaties with other countries, although they need approval by the Senate.
He or she names the heads of executive agencies, judges of the federal court, ambassadors, and other top
government officials. These appointments need Senate approval.
He or she can pardon or reduce the penalties against people convicted of federal crimes.
The Constitution requires, or calls for, the president to tell Congress about the “state of the union.” Each year, then, the
president gives the State of the Union address. In this speech, the president discusses the nation’s most important issues
and his or her plans to address them.
Identifying What are the president's powers as stated in the Constitution?
Presidential Roles
SS.7.C.3.3, SS.7.C.3.8, SS.7.C.4.3
What roles does the president have?
Under the Constitution, the president is responsible for carrying out the duties of the executive branch. As the nation has
grown, the president has taken on other roles.
Chief Executive
The president’s most important job is to carry out the nation’s laws. To do this, the president is in charge of 15 cabinet
departments and many agencies. The president names people to head the departments and the agencies. The Senate has
to approve all of these choices. About 3 million workers—not counting people in the armed forces—help carry out this work.
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One tool presidents use to carry out the law is the executive order. An executive order is a rule or command the president
gives out that has the same power and force as a law. Presidents use executive orders to spell out details of the policies set
by Congress. They are part of the president’s duty to “take care that the laws are faithfully executed.” These orders also make
it possible for presidents to act quickly when they must do so.
Many executive orders concern the everyday work of the executive branch. Some have had a much greater effect, though. In
1948, for example, President Harry S. Truman used an executive order to end the separation of races in the military. This
order gave Americans of all races the same opportunity to serve in the armed forces.
Another power of the chief executive is to name people to serve as justices of the Supreme Court and judges of other federal
courts. Supreme Court justices decide whether a law follows the Constitution or not. This power is very important. In addition,
once appointed, Supreme Court justices serve for life. Thus, most presidents try to name justices who share views close to
their own. That way, they can ensure that their views continue to influence government long after they leave office.
The Constitution also gives the president the power to grant pardons. A pardon declares forgiveness and freedom from
punishment. The president may also issue a reprieve. This order delays punishing a person until a higher court can hear the
case. The president can also grant amnesty, a pardon for a large group of people.
Chief Diplomat
The president leads the foreign policy of the United States. In this role, the president decides how the United States acts
toward other countries. This role includes naming people to serve as ambassadors. These officials represent the United
States government in other nations.
Head of State
The president is the living symbol of the nation. In this role, he or she tries to build goodwill with other countries by greeting
their leaders when they visit the United States. The president also represents all Americans at important ceremonies. For
example, the president awards medals to the country’s heroes and places a wreath at Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington
National Cemetery.
Commander in Chief
Under the Constitution, the president is commander in chief of the nation’s armed forces. This allows presidents to back up
foreign policy decisions with force when they need to. The president and Congress share the power to make war. Congress
has the power to declare war. Yet, only the president can order troops into battle. The commanders of the army, navy, air
force, marines, and coast guard all follow the orders of the president.
Congress has declared war just five times. Presidents, however, have sent troops into action more than 150 times. For
example, Congress never declared war on Iraq. Nonetheless, American troops invaded that nation in 2003 on orders of
President George W. Bush.
In 1973, after the Vietnam War, Congress passed the War Powers Resolution. This law says that the president must let
Congress know within 48 hours when troops are sent into battle.
The troops must be brought home after 60 days unless Congress approves their use or declares war. Since the law’s
passage, however, troops have never been recalled due to congressional disapproval, nor has war been declared.
Legislative Leader
Only members of Congress can introduce bills. But Congress expects the president to propose new laws. Every president
has goals that include new laws he or she wants Congress to pass. The president makes speeches to build support for these
goals. He or she also meets with key senators and representatives. The president tries to convince them to support the
proposed laws.
The president and Congress often disagree over what laws Congress should pass. One reason is that the president
represents the whole nation, while members of Congress represent only their states or districts.
Economic Leader
Every president tries to help the country’s economy prosper. Voters expect the president to deal with such problems as lack
of jobs, rising prices, and high taxes. One key task for the president each year is to plan the federal government’s budget.
The president meets with budget officials. Together, they decide what programs to support and what programs to cut back.
Budget decisions have a great effect on the nation’s economy.
Party Leader
The president is generally regarded as the leader of his or her political party. The president gives speeches to help fellow
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party members who are running for office as members of Congress, governors, and mayors. The president also helps the
party to raise money.
Explaining Why is the War Powers Resolution important?
LESSON 2 REVIEW
Review Vocabulary
1. Write a sentence comparing an executive order to a law.
LA.7.1.6.1
2. Use the terms pardon, reprieve, and amnesty in a paragraph.
LA.7.1.6.1
3. Summarizing What influence does the president have over Congress?
SS.7.C.3.8
4. Analyzing How is the president's role as chief diplomat connected with the roles of head of state and commander in chief?
SS.7.C.3.8
5. EXPRESSIVE WRITING Many people consider carrying out the nation's laws to be the president's most important job. If
you agree, explain why in a paragraph. If you do not agree, explain which role you think is the president's most important job.
SS.7.C.3.8
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