The Role Of Congress In Foreign Policymaking

The primary goal of foreign policymaking is to ensure state survival. Without foreign policy our world will be in chaos. It is our government’s strategy in dealing with other nations. While both President and Congress each has their own role in foreign policymaking, the President’s role is to enforce decisions and the Congress is to approve treaty making powers.
The president is the chief diplomat of foreign affairs and commander in chief of the armed forces. The president has the duties of including negotiating treaties and appoints ambassadors to represent the United States overseas. Without Congress consent President can act upon his treaty without the 2/3 Congressional vote. An example would be in the incident in March of 2011. When ordering …show more content…
They support president’s decision most of the time but make extensive modification. Throughout the years, there has been a source of tension over foreign policy between Congress and the President. The source of tension is over issues such as foreign aid, human rights, trade, sanctions and declaration of war. In 1973, the Congress passed the WPA which is known as War Powers Resolution overriding President Richard Nixon’s veto amid backlash against the United State involvement in Vietnam. Under this law, the Congress requires the president to consult with them before sending only of the United State troops into hostile situations. They must report commitment of United State forces with the twenty four hour time frame. The president needs to end military action within sixty days if Congress doesn’t declare war or authorize the use of force. The president has the authority to negotiate treaties but it only goes into effect unless after the Congress ratifies it. The Congress has asserted a role in foreign policymaking by creating the War Powers …show more content…
If the president has all the authority and makes the wrong decisions, there is a possibility of heavy repercussions depending on the treaty made with other nations. George Bush sold jet fighters to Saudi Arabia without Congressional consent. This can be used as a means for the national security against the United States. In this instance the Congress has to keep a close eye on foreign trades, on what is sold to other nation by the president. With the vast amount of Congressional members, they can come to a better understanding to create a more fitting policy. The president alone shouldn’t have to make tough foreign policy decisions. He needs help from others to make an appropriate