The President: Head of Government & State of USA & More - Essay Sample

Introduction

The President is both the head of government and head of state of the United States of America. The President is tasked with the duty of executing and enforcing laws formed by Congress. Furthermore, the President appoints the head of over fifty independent federal commissions and the federal judges. The President also has the powers of either signing legislation into law or veto bills enacted by the Congress. The President can also issue executive orders which clarify the current laws and direct executive officials. At the same time, the President has unlimited power of extending clemencies and pardons for federal crimes.

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Differences between Head of Government and Head of State

There are different kinds of rulers running the nation depending on the political power and will of their people. States have various powers and means of running a country, and the two among them are the Head of Government and the Head of State. On the one hand, the head of government is an individual tasked with every decision taken when one is in office. It is the role of the head of the government to make sure that the state's best interests are considered. The head of government also makes public new laws which the government assured the people before the assumption of power. Additionally, the head of government is removed anytime by the President and has the responsibility of appointing various individuals in critical positions to run the system appropriately. On the other hand, the Head of State is the President of a country and is a symbol of unity. The President has the powers of appointing the prime minister. While the head of government makes trade treaties, the Head of State has to approve them.

Areas Where the President Has More and Least Authority

The President of the United States of America has powers exclusively provided for in article 2 of the Constitution, powers granted by the Acts of Congress, soft and implied powers. The President is assigned by the Constitution the powers of signing or vetoing legislation, commanding the armed forces, asking for the cabinet's written opinion, adjourning or convening the Congress. Other exclusive powers of the President include granting pardons and reprieves and receiving ambassadors. Moreover, the President oversees the execution of federal laws by removing and directing executive officials. The President has the powers of making treaties, subject to ratification by two-thirds of the Senate. Therefore, the President is tasked with control over the foreign policy formation and communication and has a direct influence on the diplomatic corps of the state. At the same time, the President also appoints judges and officers upon the U.S. Senate's advice and consent. However, the President does not have the powers of enforcing laws, and nomination of Supreme Court judges whenever there are openings.

Evolution of Presidential Powers

From the time the office of the President was launched at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, it has increasingly become more powerful, providing the occupants with a higher chance of exercising leadership locally and abroad. The duties of the chief executive have shifted with time, with different presidents confronting challenges in foreign and domestic policy during peace and war. These powers have also changed with the growth of the federal government. The most important way through which the executive powers of the President grew was expanding the war powers of the President. While Jefferson, Adams, and Washington were at the forefront of declaring wars, President Polk set the stage for the growth of the powers of the President. With Mexico and the United States of America in contention over the southern border of Texas in 1846, Polk sent troops which led to the Mexican-American war. Abraham Lincoln was critical of the actions of Polk. However, as a president, Lincoln used the same presidential concepts and powers of national security and military necessity in undermining the efforts of the confederate to have independence. In the 20th century, presidents expanded and explained these powers.

Article 2 of the Constitution has been subjected to comprehensive interpretations for the justification of actions beyond those provided for in the document. With the expansion of the federal bureaucracy, the powers of the President to grow agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Secret Service also grew. Additionally, presidents formulated the idea of executive privilege, where they could withhold information from the public, judiciary, or Congress. Over time, presidents have used their unilateral powers such as the executive orders. Recently, presidents have provided their interpretation of the legislation when they sign it through statements. Presidents, with the blessings of the Congress, are at the forefront of framing budgets, negotiation of budget compromises, and impounding funds towards prevailing in policy matters. The growths of the powers of the President are also linked to America's growth and the national government's control. With the country growing and developing, the presidential office has also increased. The most critical decisions were in the past made at the local and state levels. However, the increased size and complexity of the local economy have made people in America turn to the federal government for solutions. Moreover, America's rising profile in the international scene means the President is a more important figure as the commander in chief and leader of the nation.

Major Functions of the Congress

Article one of the Constitution defines the Congress, which is a bicameral legislature with an upper chamber called the Senate and the lower chamber called the House of Representatives. The Senate makes decisions relying on wisdom and experience. A third of the Senate is elected within two years. The Senate checks all the democratic excesses in the House. The House of Representatives is part of the government which response to public opinion. Every representation in the House depends on the population, with every state having at least a member. To ensure they are responsive to the people, the members of the House are reelected after two years. One must be twenty-five years and older and a resident of the state to run for a seat.

The congressional powers are established in article one of the Constitution. These constitutionally offered powers are explained and interpreted by the Supreme Court rulings, and through its history, customs and rules. The most central authority of Congress is making laws. Any congressman or senator introduces a bill, which is then referred for hearing to the relevant legislative committee. The Congress also has the powers of overriding the presidential veto with the two-thirds majority. Additionally, Congress has the authority of amending the Constitution. Both chambers are expected to approve the proposed amendment to the Constitution, which are then sent to the state after being approved by three-quarters of the state legislatures. Congress is also bestowed with extensive powers over budgetary and financial issues. The authorities of the Congress of the purse are levying and collecting taxes, allocation of funds for payment of government debts, and borrowing money on America's credit. Congress also regulates commerce between the United States of America and other countries, alongside allocating money for the general welfare and common defense of America.

Congress is also responsible for raising and maintaining the armed forces and declaring war. The Senate has the powers of approving treaties entered into with foreign nations. Congress can also form other agencies to ensure the country runs smoothly. At the same time, Congress investigates the pressing national issues. Every House has some executive responsibilities. The House initiates laws which need citizens to pay taxes, and they decide if public officials must be tried when accused of a crime. The Representatives are chosen for two-year terms. The Senate is tasked with confirming appointments of the President, foreign ambassadors, and federal judges. Also, the Senate tries any federal officer accused of a crime, once the House determines that the trial was in order. The senators are chosen to terms of six years. Alongside the explicit powers of the Congress, it also has implied powers from the Constitution's Necessary and Proper Clause.

Conclusion

Conclusively, if an election took place tomorrow and the Democrats regained power in the Senate or the House, the control of the lower or upper chamber would give the Democrats the chance of blocking much of the agenda of President Donald Trump. At the same time, the Democrats will investigate the administration of President Trump. The major issues which will be examined include the obstructed justice in the investigation of Russia, misusing taxpayers' money, and the hush money paid to women to ensure they are silent over their alleged affairs with Trump before being elected the President. Republicans have focused on pursuing more tax cuts and changes to popular programs of the government such as Medicaid, social security, and Medicare. These quests will inevitably fail if the Democrats hold one of the chambers.