Executive Orders

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the proper use and possible abuse of executive orders and other presidential directives. Many citizens and lawmakers expressed concern over the content and scope of several of President Bill Clinton's executive orders and land proclamations. Congress responded with hearings and the consideration of several bills designed to curb the President's authority to issue such directives. In an exceedingly rare act, the courts reacted by striking down one of President Clinton's executive orders, and litigation to contest the validity of other directives is ongoing.

Executive Orders

The President is the nations's chief executive and has inherent powers to issue executive orders. These orders carry out policies described in laws that have been passed by Congress. The orders have the force of law.

US Presidential Executive Orders are published in the Federal Register and online at the WhiteHouse.gov web site. The Federal Register is the Daily Journal of the United States Government.

https://www.federalregister.gov/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/executive-orders

An Executive Order is a tool available to the President of the United States that allows him as Executive to issue directives on the definition, interpretation, enforcement and administration of statutory laws that are executed by the Executive Branch. Executive Orders have the force of law, but are limited in what they can do.