Graduate Program

Political Science

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

2006

Thesis Director

Ryan Hendrickson

Thesis Committee Member

Melinda Mueller

Thesis Committee Member

Barbara Poole

Abstract

The events of September 11th once again brought the unique power-sharing relationship between the executive and legislative branches into focus. The framers created the presidency to deal with direct threats to the national security of the United States and in situations such as September 11th, American citizens and Congress naturally rally-round the national leader, the president. This thesis examines the interaction between the Bush White House and 107th and 108th Congress, following the events of September 11th.

This study explores the political interplay between Congress and the president in the area of foreign policy, with special emphasis given to war powers and military tribunals. Was the war powers interplay simply "business as usual," following the pattern of executive assertiveness and congressional acquiescence, or did the events of September 11th alter the balance of power? The general conclusions is that President Bush's strong approval rating following the terrorist attack, combined with partisan politics and domestic political variables, created a tendency for congressional deference.

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