5-22 Powers and Duties of the President

The Constitution provides the President with many powers and duties.  The President is the: Commander in Chief, Chief Executive, Chief of State, Chief Legislator, and Chief of Party.  As the Commander in Chief of the military of the United States, the President makes all decisions regarding the Air Force, Army, Marines, and Navy.  He or she can call the National Guard of each state into active service.  However, the President cannot declare war.  Only Congress can declare war.

The President is the Chief Executive.  The President has a cabinet to help him run the country.  His or her cabinet includes the: Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Justice, Secretary of Interior, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Health & Human Services, Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Education, and Secretary of Veterans' Affairs.  Many people advise the President on decisions he or she needs to make for the country.

The President is the Chief of State.  The President is in charge of foreign relations.  The President represents the United States when he or she travels to other countries on official business.  He or she meets many leaders of other countries to discuss world matters.  All foreign leaders are greeted by the President when traveling to the United States.  The President may agree to a treaty with another country, but the Senate must approve it before the treaty becomes official.

The President is the Chief Legislature.  He or she has the power to veto or sign legislation.  The Constitution gives the President the power to approve or disapprove of the laws passed by Congress.  If the President vetoes a law, the law does not become a law unless each house of Congress can pass the law with a two thirds vote.

The President is Chief of Party.  He or she is the head of the political party that he or she ran under to be elected as President.  He or she makes decisions about the make-up of the political party.

Determine if each statement below is True/False.

The President is the Commander in Chief.

True

False

The Commander in Chief is responsible for the political party.

True

The President is the Chief Executioner.

True

The Chief Executive has a cabinet and runs the government.

True

False

The Chief of State is in charge of foreign relations.

True

False

The President can declare war.

True

False

The President can pass or veto a law.

True

False

If the President vetoes a law, the law does not become a law unless each house of Congress can pass the law with a one third vote.

True

False

The President may agree to a treaty with another country, but the Senate must approve it before the treaty becomes official.

True

False

The Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, and  Secretary of Justice are part of the President's cabinet.

True

False

The Secretary of Horticulture, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Health & Human Services, and Secretary of Housing & Urban Development are part of the President's cabinet.

True

False

The Secretary of Aviation, Secretary of Solar Energy, Secretary of Education, and Secretary of Veterans' Affairs are part of the President's cabinet.

True

False

The President makes all decisions regarding the Air Force, Army, Marines, and Navy.

True

False

The President is the Chief Legislature.

True

False

Many people advise the President on decisions he or she needs to make for the country.

True

False