Executive Order vs. Law

Attribute	Executive Order	Law
Issued by	President	Congress
Scope	Applies to executive branch	Applies to entire country
Enforcement	Enforced by executive branch	Enforced by judicial branch
Duration	Can be revoked by next President	Can only be repealed by Congress

Definition

An Executive Order is a directive issued by the President of the United States to manage the operations of the federal government. It has the force of law and is used to implement policies and programs established by Congress. On the other hand, a law is a binding rule or regulation established by a legislative body, such as Congress, that must be followed by citizens and government officials.

Authority

Executive Orders are based on the President's constitutional authority as the head of the executive branch. They can only be issued within the scope of the President's constitutional and statutory powers. Laws, on the other hand, are passed by Congress and signed into law by the President. They are the highest form of legal authority in the United States.

Scope

Executive Orders are limited in scope and can only apply to the executive branch of the federal government. They cannot create new laws or appropriate funds. Laws, on the other hand, have a much broader scope and can apply to all citizens and government entities within the United States.

Duration

Executive Orders remain in effect until they are revoked by a subsequent President or declared unconstitutional by the courts. Laws, on the other hand, remain in effect until they are repealed by Congress or declared unconstitutional by the courts.

Enforcement

Executive Orders are enforced by the executive branch agencies and departments responsible for implementing the order. Laws, on the other hand, are enforced by law enforcement agencies and the judicial system.

Approval Process

Executive Orders do not require approval from Congress but can be overturned by Congress through legislation or declared unconstitutional by the courts. Laws, on the other hand, must be passed by both houses of Congress and signed into law by the President.

Flexibility

Executive Orders are more flexible than laws because they can be issued quickly in response to changing circumstances. They allow the President to take immediate action without waiting for Congress to pass legislation. Laws, on the other hand, require a longer process to be enacted and are more difficult to change once they are in place.

Checks and Balances

Executive Orders are subject to checks and balances through the judicial and legislative branches of government. The courts can declare an Executive Order unconstitutional, and Congress can overturn an Executive Order through legislation. Laws, on the other hand, are subject to checks and balances through the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Executive Orders and laws are both important tools for governing the United States, but they have distinct differences in terms of authority, scope, duration, enforcement, approval process, flexibility, and checks and balances. Understanding the attributes of Executive Orders and laws is essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the government and the protection of citizens' rights.