Examination of the Presidential Powers from 1970 to Today
Examination of the Presidential Powers from 1970 to Today
The powers of the President was limited in the 1970s. Congressional authority was reasserted in the policy-making process. Congress passed the War Powers Act and the Budget Impoundment and Control Act. These two acts are held in regard to limiting presidential power in the 1990s.
The War Powers Act was passed in 1973 over the President’s veto, limiting the President’s ability to use military force. The act was broad, but hit on key points. It stated that the President must report within 42 hours to congress when troops have been placed in a hostile area. Within 60 days of being in a hostile area, the act provided congress to continue hostile action by U.S. troops; however, if congress fails to authorize, the President has the ability to withdraw the troops. Lastly, the act stated if congress passes a concurrent resolution removing the troops, the president must comply. Under the War Powers Act, the president has reported the use of troops to congress on several occasions, including President Bush’s invasion of Panama, and the toppling of Manuel Noriega’s drug trafficking.
As the wage and price controls imposed in 1971 broke down and the OPEC oil embargo took effect in 1973, inflation skyrocketed. Nixon believed that reducing the federal budget deficit was critical to getting inflation under control. He relied heavily on impoundment, spurring Congress to try and outlaw the practice. A year following the War Powers Act, congress passed the Budget Reform Act in 1974. Some believe if Nixon was not on the brink of impeachment, he would’ve vetoed this bill. This act requires the president to spend all appropriated funds, unless he first tells congress what funds he wishes not to use and congress, within 45 days, agrees to delete those items. Reagan’s presidency was marked by huge deficit spending. As a solution to paying back the budget, his successors, Bush and Clinton, spent all government money to balance the budget. By the late 1990s, the deficit era seemed to disappear, leading critics to believe it’s time to let the Budget Reform Act go.
The War Powers Act and Budget Reform Act were a tremendous part in America’s prosperity over the past 29 years. In conclusion, our nations owes a lot to those two acts passed in the mid 1970s. ";"80";"381";"1020297010";"41215";"6"
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