Legislative and Judicial Responsibilities

  The President proposes much of the legislation that Congress approves. The President's power to veto (reject) legislation also serves as a strong influence on the legislative process. Because it takes a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate to override a Presidential veto, Congress often modifies pending legislation to suit the President's preferences. Aside from the role in proposing and vetoing laws, the President exercises important legislative authority by issuing executive orders that have the force of law. The President also supervises the implementation of laws by directing administrative agencies, such as the Department of Justice and the Department of Agriculture.

The President appoints federal judges, subject to the approval of the Senate. In addition, the President assumes important judicial and law enforcement powers through executive agencies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) gathers evidence against perpetrators of federal crimes and the Justice Department seeks indictments and convictions in the courts against wrongdoers. Agencies such as the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the National Labor Relations Board²⁸ (NLRB), the Securities and Exchange Commission²⁹ (SEC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) act as quasi-judicial bodies by holding hearings, issuing regulations, and adjudicating disputes.

Economic Authority  

The President exerts substantial influence on the economic life of the nation through budgetary and taxing proposals. The President's decisions to increase and reduce budgets and to cut or raise taxes in conjunction with Congress affect the entire country, from the largest corporations to the individual taxpayer. Presidential decisions early in the country's history to contribute federal funds to road and canal projects helped boost the nation's economic development, and federal spending continues to drive growth in many areas. The President's ability to shape tariffs on imports affects the thousands of businesses that buy and sell goods to other countries. A President's power to regulate industries through the enforcement of safety requirements and environmental regulations affects nearly every workplace in America. The executive branch employs millions of workers, including clerks, investigators, lawyers, and others, and their pay rates help set a standard of living for millions of other citizens.

Foreign Policy

 The President is the chief diplomat of the United States. The Constitution gives the President the power to negotiate treaties and appoint diplomatic representatives with the advice and consent of the Senate. The President also has the power to negotiate executive agreements with foreign countries that have the force and effect of law but do not require congressional approval. The President has the discretion to give official recognition to foreign governments. Democrat Woodrow Wilson, for example, refused to recognize the government of Mexico in 1913 because it had come to power through violence.