What powers does the president of the US hold?

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 President is the leader of the Executive Branch of the US government. As such, his primary powers are:

1. Enforcement of the laws of the United States - his branch is in charge of all prosecutions and regulatory functions of the government, as well as running the actual operation of the US government.
2. Act as Commander-in-Chief of the US Military forces - his is the highest military authority, and all military forces are subject to his command.
3. Appointment of members of the Judiciary - the President selects the Federal judges. While subject to approval by the Senate, the President nonetheless is the primary determinator of who the Federal Judgeship is.
4. Legislative Veto - the ability to veto legislation passed by Congress. As such, while he cannot absolutely prevent a bill from becoming a law (as Congress can override his veto), the veto provides a very significant barrier for legislation.
5. Pardoning - a little-remembered power, this is perhaps the least-well-balanced power in the entire Constitution. The President has the unlimited power to forgiven any violation of federal law, excepting in cases of impeachment.

Answer 3

A power that presidents of the United States of America have over their people is the right to declare a national emergency. That declaration may be in effect for a maximum of two years unless otherwise specified. But the declaration and the affected period must comply with provisions of the National Emergencies Act [50 U.S.C. 1601-1651] of 1976. Just in the years 1976-2001, there were 32 such declarations. They mostly dealt with emergency restrictions on foreign trade.

Answer 4

None