The Constitution in American Life: Featuring the Friends of Publius

Executive Power, Orders, and Recission

Mike Season 1 Episode 7

In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the issue of executive power -  both past and present. This question is from Unit 3, Question 1 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum.  

“The President’s power, if any, to issue (an) order must stem either from an act of Congress or from the Constitution itself.”  Do you agree with the Court on this?  Explain.

How do executive orders fit into our constitutional system of checks and balances?

Should the President be allowed to withhold funds that Congress has appropriated?  Why or why not?