Constitutional Conflicts Between Congress and the President

by Louis Fisher

Nearly two decades after its initial publication, Louis Fisher's durable classic remains at the head of its class--a book that Congressional Quarterly called "as close to being indispensable as anything published in this field." This newly revised and updated edition emphatically reinforces that sterling reputation. Fisher dissects the crucial constitutional disputes between the executive and legislative branches of government from the Constitutional Convention through the beginning of the Bush administration, venturing beyond traditional discussions of Supreme Court decisions to examine the day-to-day working relationships between the president and Congress. By analyzing a mixture of judicial pronouncements, executive acts, and legislative debates, Fisher pinpoints the critical areas of legislative-executive appointment powers, investigatory poers, legislative and executive vetoes, the budgetary process, and war powers. He then examines these areas of tension within a concrete political and historical context. To scholars, this book offers a comprehensive examination of the institutions and issues of public law. For practitioners, general readers, and students of American government, it demonstrates how constitutional issues shape and define current events. New material in this The line-item veto and rescissions Paula Jones and presidential immunity Removal Clinton and Travelgate, Bush and the Postal Service Military operations in Libya, Panama, and Iraq justified as "self-defense" Presidential actions "authorized" by the U.N. and NATO in Korea, Iraq, Haiti, and Bosnia presidential attorney-client privilege and the independent counsel NAFTA, GATT, and "fast-track" trade legislation Clinton's executive order 12954 and the National Labor Relations Act The legislative veto and new tests to Chadha The budget shutdowns of 1995-96 Bush, Iran-Contra, and quid-pro-quos

Genres: Politics, Political Science, Government

358 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not exactly a joy to read, but it does a good job of hitting all the major areas of conflict between the executive branch and legislative branch. It's the kind of book that is extremely handy to have read if you suspect you may get a question about that sort thing on a comprehensive exam or similar test.

The opening of the book is a little intimidating, but once Fisher starts going through the paces, he clearly lays out the history of various sources of conflict. He suggests that the two branches work together best when individuals involved adopt a pragmatic view toward their relations and abandon rigid, prescriptive approaches toward their interaction.

Even though reading it is a bit like taking your medicine, it is good medicine in the end.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one argues the Congressional side of the debate better than Fisher.