In 178 years, the balance between the President and the Congress has shifted not once but several times. During some periodsthe entire generation after the Civil War, for examplethe legislative branch has overshadowed the executive; at other times, particularly during a war, the White House has been predominant. Most of the 20th century has seen the President in the ascendancy. Last week the Senate Foreign Relations Committee attempted to redress the balance somewhat, approving unanimously a report calling for a congressional curb on the President's power to commit the...
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