TRENDS AND TENSIONS IN CONGRESS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP71B00364R000600170098-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 1, 2006
• Sequence Number: 98
• Publication Date: January 20, 1966
• Content Type: TRANS

Approved For Release 2006/08/01 : CIA-RDP71 B00364R000600170098-7
From the Off ice of
SENATOR EUGENE J. McCARTHY
41.1 Senate Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20510 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: [phone]
EXCERPTS FROM AN ADDRESS BY
SENATOR EUGENE J. McCARTHY (DFL-Minn.)
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE LUNCHEON OF THE
WOMAN'S NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CLUB
WASHINGTON, D. C. JANUARY 20, 1966
Trends and Tensions in Congress
The Senate and its members can choose to play many
The first is that in which the appearances of power
and prestige are maintained without the acceptance of
responsibility or the exercise of power. This role is comparable
to that of the constitutional monarch in British democracy.
It involves appearance on ceremonial occas' ns, attendance at
state dinners, and acceptance of special m lions unrelated to
'in government by ordeal--which is he essen of the filibuster.
The third role is the acceptance of sponsibility,
balanced against the real power and authority of he Senate.
The Senate must re-examine its constitutional function
and its relationship to the House of Representatives, the
judiciary, and the executive branch of the government.
There is a special need for this re-examination today
because in the period of the last 20 years there has been a
significant change both in the substance of American government
and in the functioning of governmental institutions and in their
relationships. There are also special conditions existing today
which make such re-examination easier and potentially more
productive.
committee hearings and in irrespons' le p blic s ements, or
The second is that in whi p err is xercised without
responsibility--as has sometimes been e case n the conduct of
the real world of authority of th enate
The issue of civil rights as a congressional matter
has been settled to the point where it does not impinge upon
nearly every action in the Senate.
M O R E
MORI/CDF
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Sen. McCarthy--Trends, Tensions in Congress (1/20/66)--page 2
In consequence of the achievements of the last session
of Congress, the legislative load which must be carried in this
session is a. relatively light one.
We do not have the complicating problems which might
arise if there was a`strong and effective opposition party in
the Congress.
The Constitution of the United States does not so much
provide for a system of checks and balances--as is often said--
but rather it provides for a sharing of responsibilities. The
responsibilities of the Senate are shared with the House of
Representatives, with the judiciary, and,with the President and
the executive branch of the government.
Although there is some confusion and conflict in the
relationship of the Senate with the House of Representatives
today, the confusion is not unusual, nor is the conflict or
disagreement outside the limits of what should be expected under
the terms of the Constitution and the traditional relationships
of the two bodies.
The role of the Senate with reference to the judiciary,
however, does require some re-examination and rediredtion. Not
just because of civil rights, but also because economic, social,
and physical mobility have destroyed the regionalism of the past.
A truly national judiciary must be established in the United
States.
Another area which calls for re-examination and
decision is that of the relationship between the, Senate and the
executive branch of the government:
- with reference to appointments, particularly to
offices in the regulatory agencies and those other offices which
exercise power independent of executive direction;
- aid especially in the field of foreign policy,
where today the rather clear constitutional responsibility of
the Senate has. been eroded--for a variety of reasons, some
external, arising from historical focus and changes, and some
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Sen. McCarthy--Trends, Tensions in Congress (1/20/66)--page 3
internal, arising from failure to develop new procedures to deal
with new problems or with old problems presented in new forms,
In need of immediate attention, I believe, are: the
operation of the Central Intelligence Agency in carrying out
foreign policy, but more importantly the influence of the Agency
in the determination of foreign policy; the Department of Defense
and its activities--including such things as the sale or granting
of arms to foreign countries and the bearing of such action upon
foreign policy; and a continuous examination of our treaty
obligations and of executive interpretation of those obligations,
as well as of acknowledged responsibility and obligations of
other nations which have signed treaties along with us.
The involvement of the Congress and the participation
of the Senate in the field of foreign policy become increasingly
important as the issues become more complicated and more serious,
and as the moral commitment of the entire country becomes more
important.
Approved For Release 2006/08/01 : CIA-RDP71 B00364R000600170098-7