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President
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President
Elected indirectly by the citizens through the electoral college, the President serves a four-year term. As chief executive, the President presides over the cabinet and has responsibility for the management of the executive branch. The President has the power to make treaties and to appoint ambassadors, U.S. officers, and judges of federal courts, with the advice and consent of the Senate. He is also the commander in chief of the armed forces. The President signs laws and can veto bills that have passed Congress.
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Essays on the Historical Relationship Between the Senate and the President
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Read essays written by the Senate Historical Office on the relationship between the Senate and the President.
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The Senate Prepares for a President, April 27, 1789
The Senate Irritates President George Washington, August 1789
Senate Censures President, March 28, 1834
Senate Reverses a Presidential Censure, January 16, 1837
President's Death Eases Senate Deadlock, September 20, 1881
Woodrow Wilson Addresses the Senate, July 10, 1919
Harry Truman Visits the Senate, May 8, 1964
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Senators in the Executive Office
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To date, fifteen Senators have gone on to serve in the nation's highest elected office, the presidency. Two Senators,
Warren G. Harding
and
John F. Kennedy
, moved directly from the U.S. Senate to the White House.
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List of Senators Who Became President
A Senator Becomes President, November 2, 1920
William R. King First Senator to Gain Vice-Presidential Offer, June 5, 1852
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Role in Legislative Process
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The President makes an annual speech to a
joint session
of Congress on the state of the union.
Essay on the State of the Union Address
State of the Union Address Transcripts
Transcripts from 1945-present (text and selected video)
Transcripts from 1992-present (text and PDF formats)
The President's State of the Union Message: Frequently Asked Questions
(pdf)
Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)
(pdf)
The President signs bills into law and can veto bills passed by Congress that he does not agree with, although Congress usually has the opportunity to override the veto.
Vetoes, 2001-present
Vetoes, 1989-2000
(pdf)
Vetoes, 1789-1988
(pdf)
Regular Vetoes and Pocket Vetoes: An Overview
(pdf)
A Presidential Item Veto
(pdf)
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Presidential Documents
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Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Executive Orders
Presidential Directives
Presidential Libraries
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Salary and Benefits
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Former Presidents: Federal Pension and Retirement Benefits
(pdf)
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Officials: Current Salaries
(pdf)
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History
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Learn more about the history of the presidency with information from the White House and essays by the Senate Historical Office.
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White House History
Presidential Succession Act of 1792
President for a Day, March 4, 1849
Death of Andrew Johnson, July 31, 1875
List of Senate Sessions While Presidents Lay in State
(pdf)
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Impeachment
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Under the Constitution, the House of Representatives has the power to impeach a government official, in effect serving as prosecutor. The Senate then holds the impeachment trial, essentially serving as judge and jury, except in the impeachment of a President when the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides. The first presidential impeachment in American history occurred in 1868 with the impeachment trial of
Andrew Johnson
.
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The Senate's Impeachment Role
The Senate Votes on a Presidential Impeachment, May 16, 1868
Senate Publications Related to the Impeachment of President Bill Clinton
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Related Items
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Interested in related materials? Take a look at these subjects for more information.
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Budget
Elections
Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
Nominations
Treaties
Vetoes
White House Home Page
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