The "Power of the purse" and its implications for bureaucratic policy-making * MICHAEL M. TING Department of Political Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3265, U.S.A. THE POWER OF THE PURSE....Bruce Fein is a conservative legal scholar who long ago turned against George Bush. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The budget blueprint, or “skinny budget” as it is being called, holds fairly flat the federal spending for programs other than entitlements. President Trump released his budget request for fiscal year 2018 on March 16. Other recent examples include limitations on military funding placed on Ronald Reagan by Congress, which led to the withdrawal of United States Marines from Lebanon. Accepted 4 September 1999 Abstract. power of the purse. ... For example, it held hearings in the 1970s to investigate the Watergate burglary that ultimately ended the presidency of Richard Nixon. This power over the purse may, in fact, be regarded as the most complete and effectual weapon with which any constitution can arm the immediate representatives of the people for obtaining a redress of every grievance, and for carrying into effect every just and salutary measure. THE POWER OF THE PURSE....Bruce Fein is a conservative legal scholar who long ago turned against George Bush. The power of the purse in military affairs was famously subverted during the Iran-Contra scandal in the 1980s. The Power of the Purse: President Trump Releases his “Skinny Budget” Request. By far, however, Congress’s greatest authority over US foreign policy is its “power of the purse”. Start studying Power of the purse. The United States Congress must authorize the president's … Checks and balances refers to a system in U.S. government that ensures no one branch becomes too powerful. The influence that legislatures have over public policy because of their power to vote money for public purposes. The framers of the U.S. Constitution built a system that divides power … Current political and economic issues succinctly explained. A dilemma of the "Power of the Purse" is that cutting an agency's budget may make a desired policy infeasible. The Power of the Purse . Congress is abusing its ‘power of the purse’ ... passing budget blueprints that bolster defense spending at the expense of domestic programs foreshadows how the current Congress will continue to practice irresponsible budgeting. The power of the purse has been a significant power which notably ended the Vietnam War, through the Foreign Assistance Act of 1974, which suspended all federal funding for the war. Congress denied further aid to the Contras in Nicaragua. The power of the purse applies to all legislation that will direct federal spending, it is not just the US Federal Budget. Left-wing Democrats are exploring how to use Congress's "power of the purse" to cut off funding for the war in Iraq and force the White House to recall troops. This is an on-going debate within Congress and there have been legislative moves that would replace the War Powers Act, but so far Congress has not acted on the legislation.