Relationship between the U.S. Congress and the U.S. President

The relationship between Congress and the President is dynamic, changing with every issue, every event. Sometimes it is cordial and cooperative. Sometimes it is hostile and polarized. And sometimes it is both things on the same day, shifting with the issue under consideration. It lies at the very core of system of government in U.S., and, under the U.S. Constitution, tension and struggle between these rivals for power is inevitable. A democracy without conflict is not a democracy. The framers did not set out to promote gridlock between President and Congress, but they did intend that conflicting opinions in society should be considered carefully before government takes action.

The President is entitled to recommend legislation, but his success at seeing his agenda enacted depends to a considerable degree on his skill at reaching out to members of Congress and persuading them to follow his lead. The President often sees Congress as an obstacle to be overcome, and always has to calculate how his proposals will play out with Congress. He cannot dictate to Congress what he wants, and faces a huge task in communicating with Congress because of its size and diversity. One instrument of persuasion is the presidential veto, and sometimes with an overtly combative stance, a President can bend Congress to his will. But typically, fostering a sense of cooperation and partnership with Congress building coalitions of support — is the path to presidential success.

Congress has many responsibilities in conducting their business. Their main responsibility is to enact legislation that is right for the country considering the proposed budget submitted by the President. They also have the prerogative of enacting additional legislation which they feel is needed. The process of enacting legislation in Congress can be cumbersome to say the least. There are various bi-partisan committees in each of the two houses of Congress which deal with specific topics. The legislation that is created during the session of Congress passes through the committees that have jurisdiction on the topic.

It is important to remember, however, that the Constitution does not envision a master-and-servant relationship between the President and Congress. The framers of the document took care to create a system of government in which there is a balance of powers and extensive checks and balances between them. In fact, the framers actually gave more specific powers to Congress, for they were wary that a too-powerful President would repeat the wrongs that the King of England had inflicted on the colonies.

The President each year presents a state of the union message before a joint session of Congress and in it identifies the goals embedded in the proposed budget. Submitting a budget to Congress does not mean that the President will get everything. The review of the proposed budget by Congress is the basic relationship between the President and Congress. It is apt to say that the relationship between Congress and the President is part of the checks and balances which was established in the U.S. Constitution. This is important. The President must lead and provide direction as to the necessary programs and the proposed budget for them.

To conclude, it can be said that though the system of government which works in the U.S. is not perfect but it is certainly adequate. The relationship between President and Congress, while at times tumultuous, in the end safeguards the people from corruption of power and abuse of authority – by either side.