Congress

The 110th Congress is sworn in at the U.S. Capitol in Washington Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Congress most clearly shares its powers with the executive branch in the area of foreign affairs. The Constitution presupposes that the two branches will maintain a delicate balance in exercising their foreign policy prerogatives. Nonetheless, both branches still debate vigorously the scope of and limits on Congress's power in the formulation of U.S. foreign and defense policies. The extent of Congress's involvement in and influence over foreign policy has varied throughout American history. Congress shapes foreign policy through regular oversight of executive branch implementation of foreign policy. This involves such mechanisms as hearings and investigations. In particular, hearings on annual authorizations and appropriations of funds for executive branch agencies carrying out foreign policy provide an opportunity for committee members to question and influence activities and policies.

Certain specific foreign policy powers granted to Congress are not disputed. These include the power to raise, support, and regulate the armed forces; the power to declare war and, through its power of the purse, to finance or withhold financing for U.S. participation in foreign wars; and the requirement that the Senate give its consent to all treaties and executive branch nominations of diplomatic officials. Although these powers have been important in ensuring that the legislative branch remains an independent force in U.S. foreign affairs, its role in some cases has been altered or diminished by international developments since World War I.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee oversees most aspects of the relations of the United States with other countries. Historically, it has been one of the most important forums for congressional influence in the field of international affairs. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has jurisdiction over foreign aid and legislation concerning the operations of the State Department, which carries out most US foreign policies. Foreign Relations also has the right to recommend Senate approval or rejection of foreign policy nominations and treaties submitted by the president.

The House International Relations Committee has broad responsibility for legislation dealing with relations between the United States and other countries. The most important legislative topics that fall under its jurisdiction are foreign aid programs, which provide economic assistance to poor and developing countries, and military training and equipment for US allies around the world.

The Senate Foreign Relations and House International Relations Committees oversee the Department of State and other foreign affairs agencies; the Armed Services Committees oversee the Defense Department; the Intelligence Committees oversee the Central Intelligence Agency, and other parts of the intelligence community.