What are the powers of the US President?

Answer 1

Short Summary of the President's powers

1. To veto, or cancel, legislation.

2. To grant pardons, except in cases involving impeachment

3. commander-in-chief over all US Military forces

4. To nominate people for high judicial and executive offices, such as the cabinet secretaries, foreign ambassadors and federal judges including the justices of supreme court. Such nominations must be approved by the US Senate.

5. Makes treaties with the advice and consent of the Senate

More detail about the powers

The express powers of the President are set down in Article II of the US Constitution. The major function of the executive branch is to enforce the laws of the country.

Powers granted by the Constitution and federal law

1) Can veto proposed legislation, forcing Congress to pass it again with a 2/3 majority or else let it die,

2) Commander in chief of the armed forces and the state militia

3) Appoint federal court judges, including the supreme court justices, ambassadors,and other top officials with Senate approval

4) Ensures that the laws of Congress are "faithfully executed"

5) Appoints, with the Senate's consent, the heads of the executive departments

6) May pardon people convicted of federal crimes

7) Make treaties with the advice and consent of the Senate

8) Meets with foreign heads of state

9) Delivers the annual State of the Union Address to Congress

10) Calls special sessions of Congress when needed

11) Commissions military officers of the United States

12) Can issue special "executive orders" which are special laws that do not require congress approval.

Other powers

The president has the power to attract a crowd when he appears in person and to attract a world-wide audience if he speaks on TV. As such he can influence public opinion and help in election campaigns. He has some choice about where and how quickly federal funds are dispersed and so can influence individual congressmen. As commander of the military he can use US troops in short term military action in foreign countries or in case of domestic disturbances or natural disasters.

This excellent answer can be enhanced with these additions:

* signs into law bills passed by Congress and sent to the president, unless the president chooses to table veto or veto outright; and

* can conduct major military actions and wars via the War Powers Act. This a Constitutional act as per the Supreme Court.

Answer 2

The expressed powers of the President of the United States are set down in Article II of the Constitution. The major function of the executive branch is to enforce the laws. The powers are of two sorts: those exercised alone without legislative approval and those that require consent of the Senate or House. Powers of the President Alone: commander in chief of the armed forces; commission officers of the armed forces; grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment); convene Congress into special session; receive ambassadors; take care that the laws be faithfully executed; make use of the "executive power" of the office, such as the veto power; give an annual State of the Union Address to Congress; appoint officials to lesser offices. Powers shared with the Senate/House: make treaties; appoint ambassadors, judges, and high governmental officials; approve legislation. The President also has "implied powers." These are powers that are not listed in the Constitution but have been used by presidents as conditions change. During times of emergency, the President often does things that would not be acceptable during peaceful times. President Lincoln, for example, raised an army, spent money, blockaded southern ports, and suspended the writ of habeas corpus, and issued the Emancipation Proclamation without the approval of Congress.