1. “Presidential Relations with Congress”
Roger H. Davidson

2. Argument Nature of Executive/Legislative Relationship
Linkages between the two branches are at the heart of the policy making process.
Modern Government: Conflict-Ridden
Though there have been periods of consensus between the president and Congress, the modern era has often been defined by conflict.
Examples:
Clinton’s 1998 Impeachment
Obama 2009 Health Care Speech: “You Lie” (Joe Wilson)

3. The Constitutional Formula
Constitutional Foundations of Legislative and Executive Power
Legislative Power: Article I
The Constitution grants broad powers to the legislature.
Example: Article I, Section 8
Power to Tax, Impeach, declare War

4. The Constitutional Formula
Constitutional Foundations of Legislative and Executive Power
Executive Power: Article II
But the presidency is not without its own constitutional powers
Examples:
Power to Convene Congress
Formally Address Congress/Nation: State of the Union
Commander and Chief
Veto Power

5. Legislative President
Power of Modern President: Agenda-Setting
One power not expressed in Article II is the “power to persuade,” as Neustadt described. Modern presidents have become powerful advocates for their own agenda.

6. Legislative President
Power of Modern President: Agenda-Setting
When working with Congress, presidents have to engage legislators at least four levels:
1) Congressional Leadership
2) Key Committees and Working Groups
3) Individual Members
4) Congress as a Whole: Media, Grassroots Mobilization

7. Legislative President
Congressional Leadership
Given the increasingly powerful nature of party leadership in Congress (particularly the House), most presidents start their congressional outreach with the majority leadership.
A Two-Way Relationship
Meetings between the president and the congressional leadership enable both to communicate their objectives, as wells as their reservations, in addition to sharing critical information.
Examples:
Failed Susan Rice Nomination as Secretary of State

8. Legislative President
Committees and Working Groups
Congressional bargaining also requires navigating the bewilderingly complex jurisdictional lines separating the leading congressional committees.
Examples:
Health Care
Senate: 11 Committees
House: 5 Committees
Environment:
Senate: 1 Leading, 9 Related
House: 11 Committees

9. Legislative President
Individual Members
As we have discussed, individuals members are subject to a array of pressures: institutional, pluralist, electoral (rational self-interest).
Presidential Liaison Offices
Since JFK, presidents have maintained a separate office dedicated to understanding the interests and calculations of every member of Congress.

10. Legislative President
Public Opinion and Media Advocacy
Presidents have “gone public” with their agenda since the early 20 century. Doing so can rally public support as well as “special interest” (lobbying) support, but t can also alienate members of Congress and heighten expectations.
Examples:
Clinton: Health Care Reform
Clinton went public, but doing so mobilized his opponents in the health insurance lobby.
Bush: Iraq Resolution
Soured Congress to other aspects of Bush agenda