Maybe Catcus Jack knows more about this but it seems like there are some things that the president can order without approval from congress.
I know he has the authority to pardon or commute individuals from their criminal sentences. And we've been hearing about Obama lifting the restrictions on stem cell research so apparently he can do that, too.
I guess it would take a little research to learn the extent of his real power. It's probably more than what's written in his job description.
Art