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1 [1] (December 20, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/govertu0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Se lnfcn ning I Ier I live d I a ~ 1 e 914 December 20, 2024 Congress and National Security: Selected Tools and Issues for the 119th Congress The Constitution divides national security powers between the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government. Both the President and Congress may take initiative in developing and shaping U.S. national security policies. Interactions between the branches help determine the direction of U.S. policies and define the resources, constraints, and political dynamics that influence implementation. U.S. foreign policymaking is an iterative process with many inputs. Policies, authorities, and appropriations respond to events abroad and domestic circumstances. When the executive branch takes initiative in policymaking, Congress may support executive proposals or seek to amend or reverse them. When Members of Congress propose and seek to advance policies, the executive branch may seek to endorse or oppose them formally or informally, help to shape them, or exercise discretion in implementing them. Given this interconnected nature of foreign policy and national security issues, the 119th Congress and the incoming presidential administration may face questions about what U.S. national security priorities and interests are, whether and how to advance and protect them, how to provide for and administer public resources in pursuing them, and how to engage with partners, allies, and adversaries abroad in safeguarding or advancing them. Members may consider questions about resources, authorities, and oversight in a context shaped by ongoing domestic debates over the U.S. role in the world, involvement in international crises and events, approaches to border security and immigration, and federal spending. Components of Nationa Security In some contexts, the term national security may refer to diplomatic, military, and intelligence matters, particularly at the nation-state level. In other contexts, it may refer more broadly also to elements including, for example, border security and immigration, climate impacts, counterterrorism, critical infrastructure, critical minerals, cyber-security, the economy, emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, biotechnology, and quantum technology), energy security, global public health, human rights, industrial base issues, information and communications technology, international trade and finance, supply chain security, and transnational crime. Members may consider the way participants in a given discussion appear to be using the term. This CRS publication does not rely on or favor a single usage. Discussions about U.S. national security priorities and strategy are occurring amidst debates in the United States over the U.S. role in the world. Major questions in this debate include, for example: (1) Should the United States pursue global leadership and engagement? Should the U.S. role be more restrained? (2) Should the United States promote alliances as a key feature of U.S. national security strategy, or employ a more unilateralist approach? What relative contributions should allies and partners make to joint efforts? (3) Should national security policy equally prioritize Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia as key regions, adopt what some term an Asia-first or China-first approach, or focus on goals in Europe or the Middle East? (4) How should policymakers address crises and trends in Africa, South Asia, and the Americas? Legislative Branch National Security Tools In fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities and contributing to the development of U.S. national security policies, Members may use a range of tools and approaches. These tools include formal and informal activities of a directive or advisory nature such as: Appropriations and Authorizations. Consideration of for foreign operations, defense, intelligence, and homeland security, and authorization of bills such as the National Defense Authorization Act provide Congress with regular opportunities to shape national security policy through legislation, hearings, markups, and amendments. Congress uses such legislation to provide and tools to the executive branch to implement policy or, at times, to prohibit or otherwise the President's freedom of action. Funding directives, prohibitions, or conditions set by Congress are illustrations of the under the Constitution. In some cases, legislative-executive have occurred when Congress has restricted funding the President's opposition. Legislative Review and Policy Oversight. Congress conducts of executive branch actions and program implementation through hearings, investigations, meetings, and requests for specific information. For example, current law directs the executive branch to provide advance notifications related to many foreign and security programs and for legislative review. Reporting requirements may direct the executive branch to provide information or forward-looking strategies, such as the National Security Strategy ( ). Using information provided in these and other notifications, certifications, or required reports, Congress may choose to take legislative action. Hearings and investigations may cover any subject within a committee's jurisdiction and may raise policy questions publicly. Under the of the Constitution, the President has the authority to make treaties, and the Senate may

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