L’abdication du Congrès après le 11 septembre : crise constitutionnelle ou politique ? by Maya KANDEL

“…With other methods, vice-president Dick Cheney, the chief artisan of this expansion of the president’s powers, was particularly skillful in taming Congress by his stranglehold on Republican lawmakers – and most notably his attendance at the Republican Caucus’ weekly strategy sessions on Capitol Hill.All this has led many commentators to speak of a constitutional crisis and of an executive branch less accountable than at any time in modern American history.The depth of Congress’ deference certainly reflected the enormity of the attacks, the belief that lawmakers should defer to strong presidential leadership in times of national crisis, and a conscious and thorough effort on the part of some of President Bush’s closest advisers. …”
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