Chapter 3

What does the president do?

What you need to learn


Understand the powers of the president and the role Congress plays in checking (limiting) presidential power.

Formal Powers:

veto (and the pocket veto)

commander of the armed forces

Congressional Advise & Consent:

ambassadors

cabinet members

federal court appointments (judges)

Informal Powers:

power of persuasion (more in next chapter)

executive order

signing statement

executive agreement

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