The Role of Congress and the President in Foreign Policy | Model Diplomacy

Summary

The video script discusses the overlapping authorities of the U.S. Congress and the President in shaping foreign policy. It outlines Congress's explicit powers, such as declaring war and regulating commerce, and the Senate's role in approving nominations and treaties. The President's role in nominating officials and negotiating treaties is highlighted, with the script noting the historical shifts in power dynamics between the branches. It also explores how Congress can influence foreign policy through legislation, procedural changes, and public opinion. The summary touches on the fluctuating balance of power from the 19th-century 'Congressional government' to the 'imperial presidency' post-WWII, and the modern challenges of congressional consensus versus presidential action.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Constitution grants both Congress and the President significant powers in shaping foreign policy.
• ⚔️ Congress has the authority to declare war, manage defense, raise armies, and control foreign commerce.
• 👥 The Senate's role includes confirming Cabinet officers, ambassadors, and senior military officials.
• 💰 Congress holds the purse strings, with the power to appropriate funds and oversee government operations.
• 🤝 The President nominates cabinet officers and ambassadors and negotiates treaties subject to Senate advice and consent.
• 📚 Congress can influence foreign policy through substantive legislation, dictating policy content.
• 🛠️ Procedural legislation allows Congress to indirectly impact foreign policy by changing decision-making processes within the Executive branch.
• 🗣️ Congress can shape public opinion and foreign policy through hearings, debates, and media appearances.
• 🔄 Historically, the balance of power between the White House and Congress has shifted in response to events.
• 🌐 Post-World War II, the President has generally had more influence over foreign policy, with public support for strong leadership.
• 🚫 Congress's power is most evident when Presidential action requires its consent, as its inertia can impede Presidential initiatives.
• 🛡️ Congress's leverage is lowest when the President can act without its consent, as seen in the use of military force without authorization.
• 🤔 The dynamic between the President and Congress in foreign policy is complex and can vary depending on the situation.

Q & A

What are the explicit powers granted to Congress by the Constitution in terms of foreign policy?

The Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, provide for a common defense, raise and support armies, regulate foreign commerce, approve nominations of Cabinet officers, ambassadorial appointments, and senior military officials, and appropriate funds.

What is the role of the Senate in foreign policy?

The Senate has explicit authority to approve the nominations of all Cabinet officers, all ambassadorial appointments, and all senior military officials.

What powers does the president have in foreign affairs according to the Constitution?

The president is responsible for nominating all cabinet officers and ambassadors, and has the authority to negotiate treaties, which are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

How can Congress affect foreign policy through legislation?

Congress can affect foreign policy by passing substantive legislation that dictates the content of foreign policy, or by passing procedural legislation that changes how foreign policy decisions are made in the Executive branch.

How does Congress indirectly impact foreign policy?

Congress can indirectly impact foreign policy by creating new offices within the State Department to focus on specific issues such as human rights or counterterrorism.

What is another way Congress can shape foreign policy?

Congress can shape foreign policy by shaping public opinion through hearings, floor debates, and media appearances by its members.

How has the balance of power between the White House and Congress evolved over American history?

The balance of power has shifted over time, often in response to events. There have been periods of Congressional government and the imperial presidency, with power drifting towards the president after World War II and away from it after the Vietnam War.

Why did the balance of power shift towards the president after World War II?

The United States emerged as a global power and perceived threats from the Soviet Union and the expansion of Communism, leading to a shift in power towards the president.

When is Congress's power in foreign policy the greatest?

Congress's power is greatest when the president needs Congressional consent to act, as the inertia of Congress can work against the president in such cases.

What is an example of Congress having leverage in foreign policy?

An example is the 2015 negotiations with Iran under the Obama administration, where Congress had passed sanctions that the president could not lift without Congressional consent.

How has Congress attempted to assert its power in foreign policy?

Congress has passed laws such as the War Powers Resolution in 1973 to assert its power in foreign policy, although the effectiveness of such measures has been debated.

What does the historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr.'s description of the War Powers Resolution as a 'toy handcuff' imply?

It implies that the War Powers Resolution has not been very effective in limiting the president's ability to use military force without Congressional authorization.

How does the relationship between the president and Congress in foreign policy affect the country?

The relationship can lead to both positive and negative outcomes. Disagreements may reflect the country's readiness for certain policies, while agreements may not always result in effective policies.