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Backgrounder: The Impact of the 110th Congress on U.S. Foreign Policy

Council on Foreign Relations

Author: Robert McMahon, Deputy Editor
August 14, 2007

Introduction

The 2006 midterm elections brought Democratic majorities to the House of Representatives and the Senate, with a new leadership determined to change U.S. policy in Iraq. Congressional Democrats steadily challenged President Bush but have so far failed to budge policy on Iraq. Similarly, their impact on other foreign policy issues is mixed. Despite an alliance with President Bush, they failed to press through comprehensive immigration reform. On the other hand, they followed through on pledges to bolster homeland security protections and began the process of introducing a new approach to energy alternatives and conservation and use. Experts say the Democratic leadership is unlikely to abandon plans for a timeline for withdrawing from Iraq, in part because of strong anti-war sentiments among party constituents, as well as continuing broader unease about U.S. policy in the region. On its return in September, Congress is expected to face big decisions about funding the Iraq war as well as legislation affecting energy security, immigration, and domestic surveillance.

Has the Democratic Congress Affected Iraq War Policy?

Very little. The 110th Congress took office in January 2007 just as President Bush was announcing his “surge” strategy involving an increase of about 30,000 forces focusing on securing hotspots in Baghdad and Anbar province. Congressional Democrats, pointing to what they said was an electoral mandate and public opinion surveys showing low support for the surge, began early to try to link war-funding legislation to a withdrawal timeline. A bill passed by Congress in April was vetoed by President Bush and there were insufficient votes for an override. Democrats have markedly increased the congressional oversight function this year on Iraq, scheduling scores of hearings on issues ranging from how pre-war intelligence was handled, to abuses of private contracting, and the conduct of the war itself.

Read the rest of this article on the cfr.org website.

Copyright 2007 by the Council on Foreign Relations. This material is republished on GlobalSecurity.org with specific permission from the cfr.org. Reprint and republication queries for this article should be directed to cfr.org.