R Street Institute

Policy Studies Federal Government Affairs

A Balance of Powers: How Congress and the President Shape Foreign Policy

by James Wallner
Oct 30, 2019
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Key Points

Foreign policy is shaped by the struggle between Congress and the president.
Congress has considerable power at its disposal to shape foreign policy over the president’s objections.
The president’s power to shape foreign policy depends on persuading Congress to support his or her position or on going public to persuade lawmakers’ constituents to tell their representatives to support the president.

the president is dependent upon the legislature to approve his foreign policy preferences and to provide the necessary funding, and thus the ability to make law and the power of the purse gives Congress significant leverage to set the tone of American foreign policy—if they choose to use it.

Press release: A Balance of Powers: How Congress and the President Shape Foreign Policy

Image credit:  ANUJAK JAIMOOK

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