Congressional Oversight
441 Articles
Anticipating the President’s Way Around the War Powers Resolution on Iran: Lessons of the 1980s Tanker Wars
Former senior State Department lawyer, Todd Buchwald, who worked on war powers issues during the 1980s Tanker Wars involving U.S. military actions against Iran, explains how the…
Annie Donaldson is Not the President’s “Alter Ego”
It could almost be a bar exam question. Under the Executive Branch theory that the president’s senior aides are “absolutely immune” from appearing before Congress, which…
What’s In the New Draft National Defense Authorization Act
"The baseline draft bill, which is also called the chairman’s mark, touches on key issues ranging from the militarization of the southern border to deterring Russia and reemphasizing…
Unfinished Business: What Mueller Didn’t Cover, But Congress Can
An itemization of what the Mueller Report left untouched or undone, and where Congress can pick up the thread.
The Next Wave of Congressional Subpoena Litigation: Oversight Power vs. Executive Privilege
The next phase of Congress’ trying to enforce its supboenas in court is getting underway. Why the litigation over executive privilege is about to get ... . complicated, and how…
An “Emergency” Arms Deal: Will Congress Acquiesce in Another Blow to Its Authority?
If Congress can’t stand up to protect its own prerogatives on arms sales, then its chances of being heard on anything else will be permanently diminished.
How Impeachment Proceedings Would Strengthen Congress’s Investigatory Powers
Congressional oversight expert explains several ways in which Congress would have more legal powers to investigate President Trump for potential wrongdoing if it launches an impeachment…
When Is a “Literally True” Statement False and a Crime
"Reluctant witnesses, perhaps taking a cue from Attorney General William Barr’s April 9 testimony before a House committee, may think that so long as their testimony is literally…
The Three-Level Game in the White House Effort to Block McGahn’s Testimony
"It is a wonder that the attorney general is gambling on this case, to be brought on this record, to vindicate his constitutional theory."
Enforcing Congressional Subpoenas: A Modest Proposal
A change in the law that would enhance Congress’s ability to extract information from the executive branch is a heavy lift, particularly in the current climate. With that in…
The Barr-Nadler Subpoena Standoff: Still Room for Accommodation?
In its standoff with the House Judiciary Committee over the Mueller report, the Justice Department’s assertions when it comes to protecting its law enforcement equities, are…
Q&A on House-Justice Dept Showdown Over Release of Unredacted Mueller Report and Contempt of Congress
We asked top expert Andy Wright, who has served in both the White House Counsel's Office and on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.