American Civilization - The President

Extract

[...] that contribute to making the president stronger. Technically, the presidential veto can be overridden by Congress. But it's very difficult, so it almost never happens. Its require two thirds vote to override. If the president does not sign a bill within ten working days, the major become a law without his signature. If Congress adjourns during these ten days period, the president may exercise « his pocket veto » ( veto indirect ) meaning that he manages to kill the bill without taking action. [...]

[...] Once sign of the of the relative apathy of the Congress is the fact that 80% of the major laws in the last three decades have started in the executive branch. One illustration is Reagan. He was very popular and he took the initiative to launch. He creates . to reduce the budget deficit. The House was controlled by the Democrats ( and the Senate by the Republicans ) You should note benefit for . He had a drastic program. He revolutionned the system : he wanted that the power were back to the States. [...]

[...] Two presidents in the hand of Congress Carter and Clinton. If they were in the hands of Congress, it was not because the Congress was stronger, but because they were very weak. When Congress seems to be strong, it is mostly due to weak or inexperienced presidents. Carter had never been a Congressman. He became president without the experience of Congress. So that, when he became president, he had no allies in Congress, no support. He failed to exercise leadership even if he occasionally had good ideas. [...]

[...] And then, the president is tried by the Senate. The chief justice and a two thirds vote is required to the Senate to convict a president and remove him from office. Several cases : Andrew Johnson : In 1868, Andrew Johnson was impeached but one vote was missing, so he was not removed from his office. It was after the civil war, a difficult period. Nixon : The second case was with Nixon ( 1974 : the Water Gate ) Three articles of impeachment were voted by the Congress. [...]

[...] The grand jury ( la chambre d'accusation ) actually met . his relations with Monica Lewinsky. Kenneth Star was the ( procureur indépendant ) and he hates Clinton. He is a conservative republican and he is determined to topple a Democrat President ( faire chuter un président démocrate ) He wanted to find something wrong against him and he found. Once again he denied the case. The all cases were sexual. The third one is obstruction of Justice : he . Some lying were involved . [...]