Release date: Jan. 9, 2007
Contact: Beverly Cox Clark at 404-712-8780 or beverly.clark@emory.edu

Congressional Power Still Limited on Iraq, Says Emory's Strahan

Some of the players may have changed, but the new Democrat-led Congress will continue to face a dilemma in how active a role it can take in shaping Iraq war policy, says Emory University political scientist and congressional expert Randall Strahan. "Congress may have some real difficulties and challenges in how much they can shape Iraq policy with the constitutional tools and powers they have," he says.

And whatever the makeup of Congress, "constitutional authority in foreign policy still lies mainly with the President," says Strahan. He's the author of a forthcoming book on congressional authority titled "Leading Representatives: The Agency of Leaders in the Politics and Development of the U.S. House."

Intense competition and conflict over the President's Iraq policy is to b expected, especially under the leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, says Strahan, but how that pushback will take shape will be a development to watch.

Reach Strahan at 404-727-7913 or polsrs@emory.edu.

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