Chapter 4 - The President ’ s National Security Powers

Learning Objectives What is a delegation question? Why does the court have different standards for delegation of foreign versus domestic powers. What is the "sole organ" doctrine? Should there be a different standard for foreign affairs than domestic governance, and why?

US v Curtis Wright, 299 US 304 (1936) What is the procedural posture of this case? Check the full text if you are not sure What are the defendants accused of? Why do they want the congressional delegation of power declared unconstitutional? This is what other delegation doctrine cases are before the court? How does Chadha affect the use of joint resolutions?Chadha What can they be used for that has legal force?

Bolivia What is the Monroe Doctrine? Why did we care about Bolivia? What is going on in Bolivia and how does the joint resolution address it? Is this the only time were involved with Central and South America?

The Joint Resolution Where do the underlying events take place, in or outside the US? Does this court see this a foreign affairs issue? Why is that critical? Think of what else is going on with the delegation doctrine at this time

The Delegated Powers What findings does the president have to do to make under the joint resolution? What does he have to do with the findings to trigger the joint resolution? What penalties does the law provide? Why do the penalties have to come from Congress? Why is an issue at Guantanamo?

The Presidential Declaration Now, therefore, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, acting under and by virtue of the authority conferred in me by the said joint resolution of Congress, do hereby declare and proclaim that I have found that the prohibition of the sale of arms and munitions of war in the United States to those countries now engaged in armed conflict in the Chaco may contribute to the reestablishment of peace between those countries, and that I have consulted with the governments of other American Republics and have been assured of the cooperation of such governments as I have deemed necessary as contemplated by the said joint resolution; and I do hereby admonish all citizens of the United States and every person to abstain from every violation of the provisions of the Joint Resolution above set forth, hereby made applicable to Bolivia and Paraguay, and I do hereby warn them that all violations of such provisions will be rigorously prosecuted.

Constitutional Allocation of Powers In this court's analysis, who held the domestic powers between the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the Constitution? Who held the foreign powers during this period? What does this mean for the transfer of powers in the Constitution?

The Senate Report of 1816 "The President is the constitutional representative of the United States with regard to foreign nations. He manages our concerns with foreign nations and must necessarily be most competent to determine when, how, and upon what subjects negotiation may be urged with the greatest prospect of success. For his conduct he is responsible to the Constitution. The committee consider this responsibility the surest pledge for the faithful discharge of his duty. They think the interference of the Senate in the direction of foreign negotiations calculated to diminish that responsibility and thereby to impair the best security for the national safety.

Is this a Proper Delegation? The Court's question: In other words, assuming (but not deciding) that the challenged delegation, if it were confined to internal affairs, would be invalid, may it nevertheless be sustained on the ground that its exclusive aim is to afford a remedy for a hurtful condition within foreign territory?

The Sole Organ As Marshall said in his great argument of March 7, 1800, in the House of Representatives, ‘‘the President is the sole organ of the nation in its external relations, and its sole representative with foreign nations.’’ What are the possible meaning of this formulation? Does the president get to make all the foreign policy? Is he just the spokesman for the US?

The Congressional Role in Foreign Policy How can Congress affect foreign policy? Can it forbid specific actions? Did this court think that congress should try to specifically direct the president on foreign affairs? Why does the court find that this is not an improper delegation of authority case? Is the Court's discussion of the history of foreign powers just dicta?

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