American Foreign Policy POSC 313

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American Foreign PolicyPOSC 313

• The Role of Congress

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Congressional Activism

• 1943-1951 Active bipartisan consensus
• 1951-1955 Limited antagonism
• Executive Agreement
• Bricker Amendment 1954
• 1955-1965 Passive acquiescence
• 1965-1970 Confusion, restiveness
• 1971-1980 Acrimony, rebellion
• 1980-2001 Ambivalence
• 2001-present Passive acquiescence

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Congressional Activism Good or Bad?

• Problems
• Impedes efficiency
• Parochial interests
• Fragmentation
• Good
• More democratic
• Pluralism

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Congressional Powers

• Lawmaking Power
• Power of the Purse
• Confirmation Power
• Oversight Power
• War Power
• Treaty Power

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Sources of Activism

• Expanded role of U.S. in world affairs
• Domestic implications of foreign affairs
• Reactions to executive mistakes
• Internal changes in Congress
• Impact of the Media

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Constraints on Activism

• Need to present a united front
• Lack of foreign policy expertise
• Structural aspects of foreign affairs
• Greater concern with domestic issues

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Why restrain presidents war-making ability?

• Inherent constitutional ambiguity
• Trend toward executive dominance
• Legacy of Vietnam
• Shift in power

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War Powers Resolution 1973

• President must consult with Congress before
  troops are put in hostile situation, continue
  consultation as long as troops are there what
  does consult mean?
• 48 Hours written notice to Congress
• Circumstances
• Constitutional and legislative authority
• Scope and duration
• 60 Days end use of troops, declare war, adopt
  resolution
• 30 Days can be extended by Congress

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War Powers Resolution 1973

• Concurrent resolution questionable
  constitutionality
• No court challenges of WPR
• Not an effective check on the president
• 1975 Mayaguez incident, Ford
• 1980 Iran hostage rescue
• 1983 Lebanon
• 1983 Grenada
• 1987 Persian Gulf
• 1990 Saudi Arabia