Congress and Presidential Powers

Congress and Presidential Powers
The Impeachment of President Clinton, 1998


Outline
Introduction
a. Thesis Statement: There has been the tendency of leaders exercising personal interests while public office. Sir Jefferson Clinton was impeached on the claims of perjury and obstruction of human justice. The US House of Representative recommended the impeachment of Clinton as the 42nd president.
Background information
a. Mr. Clinton became the second president in US history to be impeached in a stunning day that also lead to the resignation of the House of Robert L. Livingston. The president was being accused of perjury in the Jones sexual harassment lawsuit. Evidence: the first article of impeachment
accused Clinton of misleading a Federal grand jury in August 1998 on the nature of his relationship with Monica Lewisinky, who was a white house, intern. A second article of impeachment accused President Clinton of obstruction of justice that was passed by a narrower vote of 221 to 212. Furthermore, the article accused him of persuading another lie to conceal evidence he has an affair with Ms. Lewinsky. The Congress was empowered to protect the constitution prerogatives, and it was evident that the president has begun putting the unconstitutional concentration in his hands. The Congress practically defended the national interests and limited encroachment of the federal government’s authority. b. The Mr. Clinton issue was surrounded by political threats from other politician and economists that feared the national government was currently performing poorly. Secondly, the Congress feared Mr. Clinton undermining of the rule of law was damaging the reputation of U.S government. Clinton swore to the state what he was doing was truthful, but the Congress accused him of betraying the presidential oath. The Congress believed that even though the Client was the president he needs to adhere to public oath just like other citizens.
Results of the process
The presidential record Act made it clear the president has veto powers to make specific decisions. However, the president needs Congress consultation and should show a specific reason he has taken the decision. Major conflict emerges where the president can easily undermine the wishes of the Congress and follow his preferences through an executive order. President Clinton undermined the Congress decisions while many believed that Clinton was an inadequate leader who made numerous mistakes without consulting the Congress. Other Congress members were just hungry for power and wanted benefit from Clinton impeachment process. Based on the Congress and the presidential functions, the Congress was right to impeach President Johnson.
Changes in political power
As a result, the Congress gained more powers to monitor the Presidency operations. However, the executive granted the president the power to make laws and do whatever he wants in international matters. The Congress gained more political powers to investigate and settle political issues. The Clinton impeachment meant that for years the Congress was being controlled by the parties opposing the president.
Conclusion
a. Although Clinton had vetoed powers, the Congress was right to impeach President Clinton. This because Clinton used his veto powers and position to defend his mistakes and to rule against the Congress. Furthermore, the Clinton was ill-equipped to run the country hence not conducive to run the government. His impeachment, on the charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, was evident in the first and second article of accusation.












References
Bruff, H. H. (2014). President and Congress: Separation of Powers in the United States of America, The. Adel. L. Rev., 35, 205.
Fisher, L., & Harriger, K. J. (2013). American constitutional law. CUP Archive.
Murphy, W. F. (2014). Congress and the Court: A case study in the American political process (Vol. 24). Quid Pro Books.
Urofsky, M. (2012). Supreme Decisions, Volume 2: Great Constitutional Cases and Their Impact, Volume Two: Since 1896. Westview Press.