Lecture Notes: Roles and Powers of the President of the United States

Introduction

Focus on how the President can implement a policy agenda.
Definition of policy agenda: Informal contract between the president and voters outlining proposed laws if elected.

Veto Power
- Derived from Latin meaning "I forbid".
- Ability to prevent a bill from becoming law unless Congress overrides with a 2/3 vote.
- President has 10 days to sign or veto a bill.
- Pocket Veto: If Congress adjourns before the 10-day period and the president does not sign, it is effectively vetoed.
Commander-in-Chief
- Authority over the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Congress holds the power to declare war.
- Example: Joe Biden's use of this power to end the war in Afghanistan.

Bargaining and Persuasion
- President can influence public opinion to pressure Congress.
- Effectiveness often linked to presidential approval ratings (e.g., Lyndon Johnson vs. Bill Clinton).
Executive Orders
- Directives with the force of federal law but not actual laws.
- Used to direct executive departments (e.g., Trump's wall, Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation).
Signing Statements
- Allows the president to interpret a law as signed and indicate how it will be executed.
- Example: Franklin Roosevelt's statement during WWII.
Executive Agreements
- Agreements with other nations without Senate approval.
- Examples: Obama and the Paris Accord, subsequent reversals by Trump and Biden.

Understanding these powers is crucial for comprehending the president's ability to shape national policy.
Emphasis on the political vs. legal binding nature of executive agreements.