Congress and The President Chapter 6, Section 3

Cooperation and Conflict In order to get anything done, Congress and the President must cooperate. But there is often conflict. The President is elected by a national electorate. Representatives and Senators are elected by a narrower slice of the population.

How will this difference in constituents create conflict? How will the conflict be affected if both the President and Congress are from the same party? How will the conflict be affected if the President is from one party and the Congress from a different party?

Is this conflict good or bad?

The organization of Congress may be a weapon in this conflict. Rules of procedure Committee system

Differing Political Timetables How long does a President have to get things done? How long does a Senator have to get things done? How long does a Representative have to get things done?

The Struggle for Power Between Congress and The President Checks & Balances guarantee conflict. During first 150 years, Congress dominated policy making. (Exceptions: Jackson and Lincoln) Strong Presidents during Depression and W.W. II (Roosevelt) and Cold War (Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, LBJ, Nixon) resulted in steady growth of Presidential power.

The Struggle for Power Between Congress and The President Presidential Power especially grew during W.W. II through “emergency powers” Economy Wages Prices Rationing But these powers continued after the war. Technically, U.S. stayed in state of “emergency” for 35 years.

The President’s Emergency Power President can: Declare martial law Seize property Control transportation Control communication Send troops (either in country or overseas) (notify Congress within 48 hours / no more than 60 days) Freeze wages and prices

The Struggle for Power Between Congress and The President In mid-1970s, Congress began to push back by restricting the President’s power in War-making Budgeting Declaration of emergencies Nixon

The President’s Emergency Power Emergency power used to be automatic. Now, presidents must notify congress when they intend to declare a national emergency. State of Emergency cannot last more than one year unless President gets additional approval from Congress. Congress can end State of Emergency at any time.

Budget Impoundment Presidents used to “impound” money (refuse to spend money that Congress appropriated) A 1974 law requires President to spend money appropriated by Congress unless Congress approves President’s request not to spend it.