Can Congress Regain Its Strength… to Become an Equal Partner with the Presidency and Supreme Court?
Mondays, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, and 16 | 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75
Presented by Ted Anagnoson
Everyone agrees that Congress is weak compared with the Presidency and Supreme Court. This is a course on Congress itself, starting with the members, the history of congressional power, committees, leadership, rules, voting—the works. Why is Congress weaker than it has been in the past? Remarkably, we will find that it is weaker in part because Congress has weakened itself. What can be done to strengthen Congress and make it an equal partner with the Presidency and Supreme Court? Congress has neglected the power of the purse, enabling the current executive to move money around in ways that previous presidents never thought possible. And Congress’s war powers need to be reasserted. Internally, the filibuster has become a major obstacle to the majority’s ability to implement their program. Can the filibuster be partially reformed? Congress can also influence the judicial branch. Writing new laws on judicial ethics and judicial structures could enhance Congress’s role.