Final answer:
A president would issue an executive order to address a matter that affects Americans but that Congress hasn't solved. Executive orders have the force of law and are used to take action when Congress cannot or has not addressed an issue.
Step-by-step explanation:
A president would issue an executive order to address a matter that affects Americans but that Congress hasn't solved. Executive orders are directives issued by the president that have the force of law. They are used when the president wants to take action on an issue that Congress has not, or cannot, address through legislation. For example, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation through an executive order to abolish slavery during the American Civil War.
Executive orders are also not used to show support for state-level policies and programs or to direct the efforts of Congress. They are primarily used to bypass Congress and take action when there is a need for immediate action.
While executive orders can promote compromise and the passage of legislation, they do not do this by passing legislation on behalf of Congress. They can, however, set the agenda or prioritize certain issues for congressional action.
Learn more about Executive Orders