Chapter 5: Congress beyond the watergate

Case-Zablocki Act

law requiring the president to inform Congress about executive agreements

constituent service

Congress members helping voters back home, often influencing foreign policy choices

extraordinary rendition

secretly transporting terrorism suspects to other countries for interrogation

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

1964 resolution giving president Johnson broad authority to wage war in Vietnam

guns-or-butter debates

debates about spending more on the military (guns) or domestic programs (butter)

Intelligence Oversight Act of 1980

law requiring intelligence agencies to keep Congress informed about covert actions

Jackson-Vanik Amendment

linked U.S. trade benefits to human rights

judicial noninterference

courts avoiding involvement in foreign policy disputes

Nelson-Bingham Amendment

limited presidential power by allowing Congress to veto some arms sales

oversight

Congress monitoring executive branch actions

passing the buck

shifting responsibility to avoid blame for tough decisions

structural weaknesses

institutional limits that make Congress less powerful in foreign policy

USA PATRIOT Act

expanded government powers for surveillance and counterterrorism after 11/9

War Powers Resolution

law requiring the president to notify Congress when sending troops into conflict

wars of choice

wars the U.S. chooses to fight (not forced by threats)

wars of necessity

wars fought because vital national interests are at risk