Republicans and Democrats act resigned to two more years of retreat and setbacks for the United States in international affairs, particularly when it comes to Russia. President Obama remains commander-in-chief and has at his disposal vast diplomatic, military, and intelligence resources. But a House and Senate unified under conservative leadership could use its own constitutional powers to counter presidential passivity toward Russia and begin to rebuild American influence.
How so? Unlike the president’s domestic policy, foreign-policy decisions cannot be reversed by the other branches of government. Congress cannot order the Air Force to bomb the Assad regime in Syria. It cannot hold a summit meeting with Vladimir Putin and force Russia to vacate Crimea. It cannot reach agreements with new governments in Iraq or Afghanistan. Still, a conservative Congress could take concrete action now to strengthen American power and enhance security cooperation with our embattled allies. A strong Congress can pressure a weak president, and when such a president refuses to lead on foreign policy, Congress must do it for him. Congress may lack executive powers, including those of a commander-in-chief, but it controls the purse, the size and shape of the armed forces, and foreign commerce, including arms exports. While Congress cannot make international agreements such as treaties, it can provide material assistance to other countries. While it cannot launch attacks, Congress can fund new classes of weapons, such as cyber technologies, that improve our defenses.
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