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The powers of the president are not very well defined in the constitution of the United States; therefore, this has left many questions to be answered on what the presidents powers really are. The president of the United States has usually taken it upon himself towing holes in the constitution to make new policy. This is not very hard for a president todo being that there are only a few guidelines in the constitution for him to follow. The president has no real need to get constitutional change, when they can find ways around it informally instead. There are many examples of presidents using power that is not stated the constitution. Presidents such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklyn D.
Roosevelt, are just a few of the major presidents who acted independently instead of following the specific laws of the constitution. There also many committees that were never mentioned the constitution, such as The Cabinet, The National Security Council, and the White House Staff. These committees advise the president and help him make his decisions. There are a some ways that congress and the courts can override decisions made by the president.
The congress the last word in disputes with the president, as it is described in the constitution. The presidents powers in the constitution are stated; however, there is many holes and more questions than answers after reading the document. The main powers given the president are as follows. Implement policy, Supervise the executive branch of government, Appoint and remove executive officials, Prepare executive budget for submission to congress, Initiate policy, Veto Legislation passed by congress, Convene special session of Congress, Command termed forces, Appoint military officials, Grant reprieves and pardons, Represent the national chief of state, and appoint federal court and Supreme Court judges. There are some historical examples of major presidents making changes, or not following the constitution. George Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality during the war between France and Britain following the French Revolution.
By doing this he established the presidents power to make foreign policy. Thomas Jefferson, purchased the Louisiana territory despite the fact that no where in the constitution does it say anything about buying land. Abraham Lincoln established the precedent of vigorous presidential action national emergencies, declaring martial law in parts of the country, and writting the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln did all this without backing from congress, or the constitution. As you can see presidents have been getting around the laws of the constitution since the first presidents, making up rules as they go.
The president of the United States has used the lack of policy in the constitution to acquire help for making major decisions and help promote there policies. The Cabinet isan example of this. The Cabinet is never mentioned in the constitution, they have no real power, this group is made up of secretaries of the executive departments and others the president may designate, such as the vice-president, the Ambassador to the United Nations, and the Director of the CIA. The Cabinet really does not make any decisions forthe president, he usually just uses them to help promote a new idea or views. The National Security Council, is another example of a committee that the president has made. This committee does help the president make decisions in coordinating foreign, defense, and intelligence activities.
The White House Staff is a group that the president also uses help advise him on issues. The first staff was implemented by president Roosevelt, had 12 brains to help him. Now there are a couple hundred staff members helping to with advice on things such as national security and congressional affairs. The constitution ofthe united states may seem vague in some areas, but one thing is made perfectly clear, The congress has the last word if there are any disputes with the president. The only real way to stop the president from doing something unjust or just ridiculous, one must go back to the constitution and look a bit closer. There are many ways for the congress to stop the president from making new policy or doing something unjust.
The congress can override the president s veto of legislation if it can ghetto-thirds vote in both houses. The Congress can impeach and remove the president from office. Only the congress can appropriate money. Major presidential appointments require Senate confirmation. The president is obliged by the Constitution to take care that the laws be faithfully executed this is talking about the laws of congress, no matter how he or she feels of these laws. By having these specific rules in the constitution, the congress is positioned to dominate the American government.
As you can see the President of the United States has many routes he can take target around the vague constitution. The President has been making up new rules and laws they go since the first Presidents. The President has also used the lack of policies in the constitution to make special groups of people to help him make decisions or get backing for his ideas. The Cabinet, the National Security Council, and the White House Staff area examples of this. Finally it has been shown that no matter what the President does, icon be changed in one way or another by the Congress, by either over ruling the veto bythe president, or impeaching the President. I have decided that it is a good idea that the constitution is vague in these areas, by doing this we can easily change rules or policies with times and situations that the country is in.
I feel that it is also a good thing that final power is left in the hands of congress, this is another example of checks and balances inthe constitution. The congress is supposed to represent the people of the United States. That is why I feel it is important they have the last word, and not one man.
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Research essay sample on National Security Council President Of The United States
