Completing the Executive

Abstract

This chapter examines the convention that proceeded to debate the Committee of Detail draft clause by clause, as a great dissensus remained over the mode of selection of the president. It details the basic structure of the powers of the presidency as set forth by the Committee of Detail, which went unquestioned but there was disagreement about involving peace and war, and administrative organization. It also cites that the Committee of Detail gave Congress the power to make war and the Senate the power to make treaties and appoint ambassadors. The chapter discusses how the Convention narrowed Congress's war power by substituting “to declare war” for “to make war.” It explains that the purpose of reducing the scope of congressional war powers was to increase the scope of presidential war powers to repel sudden attacks.