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Public Policy

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What is an Excecutive Order?

A unilateral proclamation by the president that has a binding effect. Members of Congress have challenged some executive orders on the grounds that they usurped the authority of the legislative branch. Although the Supreme Court has ruled that particular orders have exceeded the president's authority, it has upheld others as falling within the president's general constitutional powers.

From: Executive Order. (2001). In American Congressional dictionary. Washington: CQ Press. Retrieved May 8, 2009, from CQ Press Electronic Library, CQ Congress Collection, http://library.cqpress.com/congress/amcndc-0000330200.

What is a Presidential Proclamation?

A presidential proclamation or endorsement is a national stamp of approval for cultural events, national monuments, public works projects, charity drives, interest groups, special weeks and days. Such proclamations promote national concern of worthy organizations and causes by showing the president attaches importance to the object of the proclamation.

From: Proclamations and Endorsements. (2008). In The Presidency A to Z. Washington: CQ Press. Page 426.

Past Administrations