Congress v. The President

DOM,DOM,DOOOOOM

Congress vs. President Since 1930, the Executive branch has often

seemed to be more powerful than Congress◦ However Congress retains several key powers

Funding Powers Oversight Impeachment

Since 1930, the Executive branch has often seemed to be more powerful than Congress◦ However Congress retains several key powers

Funding Powers Oversight Impeachment

Congress vs. President

Checks and Balances

Constitutional ◦ Originate Revenue

Bills (Power of the Purse)

◦ Confirmation of Presidential Appointments

◦ Impeachment and Removal

◦ Approve Treaties

Not specifically in the Constitution◦ War Powers Act of

1973◦ Congressional

Oversight (committees)

◦ CBO vs. OMB

CBO vs. OMB OMB- An executive agency which proposes

the President’s budget every year. ◦ Employs hundreds of number crunchers congress

actually defers to the Expertise of the OMB most times.

CBO- It is responsible for analyzing the President’s budget and economic projections.

League of Nations

Approve Treaties

Checks and Balances

Impeachment Approve Appointments

Checks and BalancesIf Congress ever disagrees with the President or his programs, they can

just cut off funding.

Main Constitutional Conflict between Executive and Legislative Branches◦ Executive Branch- President is the leader of our

Armed forces ◦ Legislative Branch- Only Congress can declare

war President always just sent the army to war, without

declaring War, forcing Congress to continue to fund the troops

War Powers Act of 1973

Congress Said NO MORE!◦ War Powers Act of 1973

President must inform congress 48 hours prior to deployment

President is limited to deployment of troops overseas to 60 days (during peacetime) or up to 90 days during hostilities

If Congress does not give its approval of the deployment then all Troops must come back within the 60 or 90 day period

War Powers Act 1973

In modern times, the president has played a dominant role in creating the congressional agenda.

President presents a program, that gives broad, comprehensive views of what the president wishes the legislative branch to accomplish during its session.

Given in late Jan, required and is in the constitution. Use to be a memo sent by the President to Congress, but

now modern day presidents do a televised speech as a way to advance their policy agenda.

President Reagan began this tradition, and now it is recognized by all branches and people as an important message on public opinon.

State of the Union

Executive orders- president can issue these to enforce existing laws, enforce the Constitution or treaties and establish or modify executive agency rules. Been used for a wide variety of goals- rationing during war time, creation of affirmative action programs, they have the force of law.

Special Powers of the President