Essay On Lame Duck Period

The president is given several powers in the Constitution that allow him or her to exert influence over domestic policy; two of which include legislative powers and appointment power. However, as the checks and balance system and the division of power remain throughout the three branches of the government, there are certain provisions that prevent the commander in chief from exerting too much influence. Of these, mandatory spending and the lame duck period assist in stopping the president from influencing public policy too often.

The president of the United States has the power to veto, pocket veto, and sign legislation; all of which aid the president in implementing or enforcing policies that he or she agrees with. After Congress passes a

bill, a President can block the legislation from becoming a law by refusing to sign it; or vetoing it. Veto power allows presidents to influence legislation concerning domestic policy; as he or she can reject the final legislation. The vetoed bill is sent back to Congress where Congress can alter the bill so that the president will be more likely to sign and pass it. Additionally, the president holds appointment power, where the president can appoint someone to a domestic office. The nominee that the president appoints is usually someone that is of the same political party and has the same or similar beliefs as the president; giving the president indirect influence over policy making. For example, the president, with approval from the senate, has the power to appoint supreme court justices who will serve for life. Prior to appointing a justice, the president will be aware to the nominee’s political ideology and ensure that the justice will make decisions that the president agrees with.
However, despite powers that the president has that allow him or her to exert influence over domestic policy, there are several hindrances that prevent the president from exerting too much power.

Two examples of these hindrances include mandatory spending and the lame duck period. Mandatory spending is not controlled by annual budget decisions and is required by pre-existing law. These budgetary constraints make it difficult to accomplish policy goals as a lack of money can prevent actions from being taken. However, as mandatory spending follows its name, it can be difficult to make budget cuts that might accomplish policy goals that require spending. Furthermore, the lame duck period helps prevent the president from exerting too much power by diminishing the president’s power. The lame duck period is a period of time in which an officeholder’s term is coming to an end (namely, the months between when the president elect assumes office and the previous president still resides in the white house). During the transition months, the previous president is still in office, but has diminished influence. Congress is less interested in what he or she proposes and often, very little is accomplished in these months. The lame duck period can help stop the president from trying to pass or sign excessive amounts of legislation before the new president takes office (much like the midnight judge signings of John Adams the night before he was succeeded by Thomas

Jefferson).
Although the Constitution has granted the president certain powers that allow him or her to exert influence over domestic policy, the checks and balances system is prevalent and there are certain hindrances that come with the presidency regarding policy influence.