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Read. Follow. Verify.Senate Hearing on Presidential and Congressional Authority Over International Agreements
Record date · January 1, 2019
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What This Bill Does
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held a hearing to examine the balance of power between the President and Congress regarding the creation and termination of international agreements. Senators and experts discussed the historical shift toward s over formal treaties and the need for congressional oversight in foreign policy.
This hearing addresses the constitutional process for how the U.S. enters into binding international commitments, which directly impacts the legal basis for foreign policy actions and the extent of congressional oversight over the executive branch.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
U.S. Senate
The Senate's constitutional role in providing advice and consent on treaties is the primary subject of the hearing.
The President
The hearing examines the scope of executive authority in conducting foreign policy and entering into international agreements.
Key Facts
- The hearing took place on December 5, 2017, to discuss shared authority over international accords.
- Over 90 percent of binding international agreements entered into by the U.S. in the last 80 years have been executive agreements rather than formal treaties.
- The committee is examining executive authority regarding war-making, nuclear weapons, and international agreements.
- The Chairman stated that the committee aims to ensure the Senate upholds its constitutional role in the treaty and agreement-making process.
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- The hearing included testimony from legal expert Curtis A. Bradley and former National Security official Avril D. Haines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a treaty and an executive agreement?
Why is the Senate concerned about international agreements?
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News Coverage
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Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Historical shift to executive agreements
The hearing highlights a long-term trend where over 90% of international agreements are now executive agreements rather than treaties.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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