Chapter 6 Section 3Chapter 6 Section 3

Roy BurksClay Mosley

Nick WestfallWill White

Ty WilkinsonPatrick Wray

Roy BurksClay Mosley

Nick WestfallWill White

Ty WilkinsonPatrick Wray

Cooperation and ConflictCooperation and Conflict

-Level of cooperation between Congress and the president have varied throughout history

-Best relations exist between two branches when President makes few demands on Congress

-Recent Presidents have found it hard to work with Congress

-Level of cooperation between Congress and the president have varied throughout history

-Best relations exist between two branches when President makes few demands on Congress

-Recent Presidents have found it hard to work with Congress

Constituents and Conflict

• National electorate chooses presidents they believe will carry out policies that are in the best interest of the nation

• Voters choose whoever they feel meet their particular interests

• Senators and Representatives often differ with the president about public policy

Checks & BalancesChecks & Balances

Gives the Congress and the President the power to counteract each other.

If the president threatens to veto a law congress can over ride the veto because their state or district may benefit from it.

Gives the Congress and the President the power to counteract each other.

If the president threatens to veto a law congress can over ride the veto because their state or district may benefit from it.

Political Politics• If one party controls the White House and the other party controls House and the Senate.

• The President’s party rarely controls the Congress

• If the legislative Branch and the executive branch are opposites than it is called a “gridlock”

Organization as a Cause for Conflict

Organization as a Cause for Conflict

Unlimited debate in the senate can be used to block legislation Even if the Congressional leaders support

the legislation, they still have to work hard to get presidential initiatives passed.

Committee chairpersons can prevent a bill from reaching the floor by blocking or changing it while it is still in the committee or subcommittee. Often a committee wit try to revise, delay or

defeat a bill they do not want passed.

Unlimited debate in the senate can be used to block legislation Even if the Congressional leaders support

the legislation, they still have to work hard to get presidential initiatives passed.

Committee chairpersons can prevent a bill from reaching the floor by blocking or changing it while it is still in the committee or subcommittee. Often a committee wit try to revise, delay or

defeat a bill they do not want passed.

Different Political Timetables Different Political Timetables

• Conflicts occur when the president and Congress have different timetables• President has three years to work with • A congress person has years to do what they want.•Because they are not limited to terms they can think in terms of years.

• Because they have more time Congress can sit on legislation they do not want and take as much time as they need to delay a bill.

The Struggle for Power There has always been a struggle for power between the President and

the Congress It certain periods, a branch will dominate and that can depend on

political issues, politically  savy  and popularity of the president.  In times of crisis Congress has given extra power to the President. With that power some Presidents have declared martial law, seized

property, and controlled transportation and communications.  Time and time again presidents have used state of emergencies to gain

a bit more power. The National Emergencies Act ended the ability of the President to

have a state of emergency longer than one year.  "In 2001 George W. Bush used his authority under this act to

selectively suspend, if necessary, the law that permitted a military officer to retire." Sidenote: Hitler used State of Emergency to come to power in Germany.

Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act

The national budget is the yearly financial plan for the national government.

In the mid 1900’s, the president had more power in planning the national budget.

In 1974, congress passed the Congressional Budget and the Impoundment Control Act.

The act made a permanent budget committee for each house. The act also created the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The act limited the president’s ability to impound funds Impoundment is the president's refusal to spend money on

programs congress voted to fund.

Legislative VetoLegislative Veto

• In 1970’s, congress reasserted themselves and identified the importance of the legislative veto.

• The legislative veto is a useful power that is a effective check on the executive branch.

• Many people think that the legislative veto is too powerful and that it is a violation of the separation of powers

• Congress is currently looking for a alternative to the legislative veto.

• In 1970’s, congress reasserted themselves and identified the importance of the legislative veto.

• The legislative veto is a useful power that is a effective check on the executive branch.

• Many people think that the legislative veto is too powerful and that it is a violation of the separation of powers

• Congress is currently looking for a alternative to the legislative veto.