Although not discussed in detail in your book or the materials I gave you for powers of the Executive (President), I thought it timely to discuss the famous historical event (or nonevent because it never happened) of the so-called "Court Packing" scheme that Franklin D. Roosevelt sought in the late 1930's when the Supreme Court was basically shooting down significant legislation as unconstitutional under the "New Deal". I believe it's timely because there's talk even today of adding additional members to the Supreme Court beyond the historical number of 9 that seemed to be well settled into our understanding of the Court's membership. How much power does the President have? is it clear from Article II of the Constitution just what he/she can or cannot do? if the President, with the agreement of Congress can increase the membership of the Supreme Court, doesn't that radically reshape our understanding of the checks and balances that exist between the three branches? 4

Although not discussed in detail in your book or the materials I gave you for powers of the Executive (President), I thought it timely to discuss the famous historical event (or nonevent because it never happened) of the so-called "Court Packing" scheme that Franklin D. Roosevelt sought in the late 1930's when the Supreme Court was basically shooting down significant legislation as unconstitutional under the "New Deal". I believe it's timely because there's talk even today of adding additional members to the Supreme Court beyond the historical number of 9 that seemed to be well settled into our understanding of the Court's membership. How much power does the President have? is it clear from Article II of the Constitution just what he/she can or cannot do? if the President, with the agreement of Congress can increase the membership of the Supreme Court, doesn't that radically reshape our understanding of the checks and balances that exist between the three branches? 4