Constitution in the Headlines

Scope of Executive Power: Part I

In recent weeks, there has been renewed debate over the scope of executive power and the extent of the president’s authority under the Constitution. Some argue that the president has broad control over the executive branch, while others contend that this power is more limited. But what does the Constitution actually say about executive power, and how has this question been interpreted over time? 

Teach about the scope of executive power with relevant clips from a new We the People podcast, and facilitate classroom discussion with our recommended engagement questions, student choice activities, and related primary sources.

Bookmark the Constitution in the Headlines page and explore other topics such as presidential term limits, executive orders, and birthright citizenship. If you’ve used Constitution in the Headlines in your classroom already, reply to this email and let us know how the lesson went.

New at the Constitution Daily Blog

The Constitution and the federal budget process

“The state of the federal budget is a hot topic of discussion with the House of Representatives passing a federal budget resolution on Feb. 25, 2025, for consideration by the Senate. Here's a brief look at the constitutional roots of the federal budget process, including the creation of the budget reconciliation procedure to be used in the current budget cycle...” Read the blog

A trio of religion cases marks spring on the Supreme Court’s argument docket

“After a brief hiatus, the U.S. Supreme Court soon will jump back into an area of law likely to be a legacy of the Roberts Court—religion. The justices will hear arguments this spring in a trio of separate cases involving the First Amendment’s Establishment and Free Exercise clauses. The cases arrive at the Court with very different contexts: denial of a state tax exemption; parental rights in school curriculums, and America’s first religious charter school...” Read the blog

Celebrate Civic Learning Week With Us

Building Bridges: Teachers, Museums and Deeper Civic Learning

Tuesday, March 11 | 7-8 p.m. ET

Join the us and the National Liberty Museum during Civic Learning Week for a free webinar exploring how museums can serve as trusted partners in classroom civic learning.

Museum professionals will share actionable, nonpartisan approaches to support teachers through co-curating and co-producing educational resources. Educators, in turn, will hear from their peers about how they’ve used museums as trusted partners in civic learning.

You’re Invited: March Events

🗓️ America’s Town Hall: The State of Partisanship: Confronting the Challenges of a Divided Nation Monday, March 3 | 7-8 p.m. ET

Authors Jonathan Rauch and Julian Zelizer discuss their recently published books and the rise of partisanship in America.

🗓️ Professional Learning Session: Women and the Constitution

Wednesday, March 19 | 6:30-8 p.m. ET

Educators will explore the ratification process of the 19th Amendment, which grew out of decades of advocacy by the suffragists and their allies.

🗓️ Live Museum Programs: How Women Won the Vote

Tuesday, March 25 | Noon ET

Join us for a live guided tour of our exhibit, The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote, which traces the triumphs and struggles that led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

🗓️ Scouts Programs at the Center

Boy Scouts on Saturday, March 15 | Girl Scouts on Saturday, March 29

Our Scout programs at the Center feature exhibit tours and interactive trivia games, plus Q&A sessions with judges, law enforcement officers, National Park Service rangers, elected officials, and more. Reservations are required.

Connect With Us

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About the National Constitution Center’s Educational Resources 

The National Constitution Center provides K-12 curriculum, professional learning, and student programs that make constitutional education engaging and relevant. Learn more at: constitutioncenter.org/education.

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