Describe the letter sent by several legislators to the Iranian leadership in March 2015. How did sending the letter—and the letter’s content—reflect Congress’s constitutional authority? How did the letter reflect ongoing tensions between the president and Congress?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers should identify the letter as a response to President Obama’s ongoing negotiations with Iran over its nuclear development programs. The content’s letter explicitly stated Congress’s constitutional authority and specifically addressed how without Senate ratification, any agreement between Iran and the president would have reduced legal standing (as an executive agreement, not an official treaty). The letter also identified how the president is constrained by term limits, whereas members of Congress can serve indefinitely provided they are reelected, thus increasing the likelihood that an executive agreement could essentially be nullified in just a few years. Answers should acknowledge that while unusual, Congress’s letter did not necessarily usurp its constitutional authority. Answers regarding tensions between the president and Congress will vary but should acknowledge how partisan divides may have been a deciding factor in sending the letter.