How effectively does Congress use its powers over foreign policy - Essay Example

The inaction is due to change in the working culture of Congress where there is no strong verification and deliberation of policies. The authority to implement legislative power is not being fully utilised to make effective decisions. The Iraq War is considered as a slip because the Congress could not access relevant information on time. The Congress can boast of a glorious past when it could take action against the Vietnam war in association with the judiciary and the media. There are opportunities when the Congress can regain its stance to keep a check on foreign policies and reinstate its power as the legislative authority of the United States.

One of the main powers of the Congress is oversight. The objective of Congressional oversight is to restrict the happening of mistakes or to contain events from becoming out of control. It is also to make sure that the legislations passed by the Congress are faithfully executed. The Congress verifies military decisions and maintains diplomacy in its activities. The power of the Congress includes the formulation of lessons from past catastrophes to avoid the recurrence of such events. A good congressional oversight reduces waste, keeps policymakers on toes, punishes scandal or fraud, scrutinises an agency or departments, its personnel and the implements longstanding foreign policies.

The investigation of probable scandals usually turns out to be an exercise that moves from significant policy issues to a matter of publicity (Ornstein, N.J. & Mann,T.E. 2006 p.67). Tough congressional oversight is a contentious and messy process irrespective of who controls the Congress and the White House. However, the process prevents errors from transforming into disasters and enables the administration to be more sensitive in their inactions and actions. From the year 2000 – 2006, congressional oversight of executives has