Presidential Powers

The first 200 words of this essay...

To what extent are the President and his Cabinet checked by Congress and the Supreme Court?

"The President of America is not the Government of the US" - Bowles

The powers of the President are defined and limited by the Constitution. Checks and Balances are part of this Constitution, and they reinforce the aim that no one person or group can gain too much power.

The Government of the USA is divided into 3 main sections: The President with executive power, Congress (including HoR and Senate) and finally the Supreme Court with the Judicial function. Although each of theses three branches work separately, they all have Checks and Balances against each other, In particular the President is checked by Congress and the Supreme Court in areas such as: Budgets and Judicial Review.

As well as the President, Congress plays an important role in the decision making.

E.g. if the President wanted to introduce a new law, the bill would have to be introduced by a member of congress and work its way through the legislative process. This allows congress to review and scrutinise proposals. However, the President may bypass congress by issuing Executive Orders (an