Abstract

The essay outlines the U.S. Congress’ role in foreign policy-making and its prerogatives in a constitutional context that attributes the same power to the President. First, it describes how Congress has historically interpreted the power sharing provided by the Constitution. Then, it points out the political background of Congress’ emergence as an autonomous and challenging actor. The conclusions briefly examine the dynamics and contradictions of the relationship between Congress and the Presidency in a contemporary scenario characterized by political polarization and ideological struggle. 

Raffaella Baritono, Associate Professor of U.S. History at the School of Political Science of the University of Bologna