Appendix B. Congressional Action and Presidential Response

Since the summer of 1949 a number of resolutions embodying proposals for world or regional federation have been pending in the Congress of the United States. During the early months of 1950, extended hearings on these various proposals have been held by the Senate Subcommittee on Foreign Relations headed by Senator Elbert Thomas. The purpose of this article is to present a critical study of the background, content, and the implications of the projects thus submitted for congressional action.

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The Direct Influence of Congressional Investigations on Policy Outcomes

Investigating the President ◽

10.23943/princeton/9780691171852.003.0004 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Douglas L. Kriner ◽

Eric Schickler

Keyword(s):

Executive Branch ◽

Policy Outcomes ◽

Direct Influence ◽

Political Pressure ◽

White House ◽

Legislative Action ◽

High Profile ◽

Specific Policy ◽

Congressional Investigations ◽

Congressional Action

This chapter focuses on two direct pathways through which congressional investigations can produce concrete changes in the specific policy area targeted by the investigation. First, investigations may provide the impetus for new legislation that otherwise would not have passed in its absence. Investigative hearings can spur congressional action and generate political pressure on the president and members of his party to vote for and sign legislation that they may have otherwise resisted through the filibuster or veto. Second, even when investigations are not followed by legislative action compelling the administration to change its behavior, high-profile committee inquiries into executive-branch actions may bring enough political pressure to bear on the White House that it opts to make concessions rather than continue a bruising public fight with the legislature.

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