Civics 101 How can Congress check the president?
May 13, 2025
Joining the discussion is Eric Schickler, a Political Science professor at UC Berkeley and author of Investigating the President. He dives into the essential checks and balances designed by the framers of the Constitution to prevent presidential overreach. Topics include Congress's power of the purse and impeachment, the impact of political polarization on effective oversight, and historical examples like the Iran-Contra affair. Schickler also highlights how civic engagement can strengthen Congress's role in holding the presidency accountable.
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Congress's Four Checks on President
- Congress has four main powers to check the president: control over spending, confirmation of appointments, investigations, and impeachment.
- These mechanisms ensure a balance preventing any one branch from having too much power.
Polarization Weakens Checks
- Increased polarization makes politicians prioritize party loyalty over institutional power.
- This shift undermines Congress's ability to check the president effectively.
Iran-Contra: A Rare Check
- During the Iran-Contra scandal, some Senate Republicans investigated despite party loyalty.
- This showed a rare moment when Congress acted to check executive power effectively.
