The Legislative ProcessMichael Rocca, Associate Professor

msrocca@unm.edu

Announcements25 26

Chap 15, 12

27 28NO CLASS

29

2 3Chap 12, 13

4 5Chap 13

6

9 10Final12:30-1:45pm

11 12 13

IN THE NEWSFALL 2013 POLS 311’S #1 NEWS SOURCE - Since 2013

More On The Filibuster

Red lines are predicted legislative productivity based on the “real” world with the filibuster, while blue lines are predictions based on a world without the filibuster. (Figure: Adam Ramey/The Monkey Cage)

DC caseload not really an issue

If Obama gets his nominees, DC circuit leans more left

Chapter 15: Congress and National Security Policies

Can Congress check a wartime president?

Lesson #1: 9/11

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2/1/

10

2/15

/10

3/1/

10

3/15

/10

3/29

/10

4/12

/10

4/26

/10

5/10

/10

5/24

/10

6/7/

10

6/21

/10

7/5/

10

7/19

/10

8/2/

10

8/16

/10

8/30

/10

9/13

/10

9/27

/10

10/1

1/10

10/2

5/10

11/8

/10

11/2

2/10

12/6

/10

Date

Perc

enta

ge

Approve Disapprove No Opinion

Rally Around the Flag EffectRecord #2: 90% Approval

Record #1: 36% Increase

Presidents at their most persuasive

Patriot Act, 2001

Reauthorization, 2005

Lesson #2: Iraq Surge (2007)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1/6/

06

2/6/

06

3/6/

06

4/6/

06

5/6/

06

6/6/

06

7/6/

06

8/6/

06

9/6/

06

10/6

/06

11/6

/06

12/6

/06

1/6/

07

2/6/

07

3/6/

07

4/6/

07

5/6/

07

6/6/

07

7/6/

07

8/6/

07

9/6/

07

10/6

/07

11/6

/07

12/6

/07

Date

Perc

enta

ge

Approve Disapprove No Opinion

Bush Approval, 2006-2007

Announces Surge, 1/10/0737% Approval Rating

Democrats win back Congress, 11/07/06

House passes anti-surgeresolution, 2/16/07

What can Congress do?

Adopt a Resolution

What can Congress do?

Adopt a Resolution

“Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq; and…

Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.” (House Concurrent Resolution 63, February 2007)

What can Congress do?

Hold Hearings

What can Congress do?

Hold Hearings

What can Congress do?

Hold Hearings

Senate Report on Iraqi WMD Intelligence

United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

What can Congress do?

Pull Funding

Source: The Atlantic

War Powers Resolution (1973)

• P can only commit forces when:–War is declared–Given specific statutory authoriza

tion–National emergency

• P should consult C before use of force –Must do so after use of force

Purpose: “…to fulfill the intent of the framers of the Constitution of the United States and insure that the collective judgment of both the Congress and the president will apply to the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities…”

War Powers Resolution (1973)

• P must end commitment w/in 60 days– (unless so authorized)– Can request a 30 day extension

Purpose: “…to fulfill the intent of the framers of the Constitution of the United States and insure that the collective judgment of both the Congress and the president will apply to the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities…”

War Powers ResolutionPurpose: “…to fulfill the intent of the framers of the Constitution of the United States and insure that the collective judgment of both the Congress and the president will apply to the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities…”

P can only commit forces when:War is declaredGiven specific statutory authorizationNational emergency

P should consult C before use of force Must do so after use of force

Has Congress’ War Powersbeen usurped?