The Hill News

There has been much discussion about the tone of the President’s jobs and debt speeches and what they might portend for the next phase of the Obama Administration.  While most punditry has focused on the speeches themselves and the President’s perceived move to a more aggressive demeanor, a more fundamental change has received little scrutiny.

The recently introduced jobs bill represents the first time the President has delivered a fully developed major piece of legislation to the Congress.  The much repeated refrain, “pass this bill,” is not simply a new rhetorical flourish.  It reflects a potentially important shift in the Administration’s relationship with the Congress. While not crafted in legislative form, the President’s debt plan is much more specific than has been typical for his Administration.  At 67 pages, the plan recommends 58 specific spending cuts and 28 specific revenue increases.

The country often elects Presidents ! in reaction to the outgoing Administration. One of the many differences between President Obama and President Bush is their approach to executive authority.  President Bush and Vice President Cheney advanced an expansive view of executive power in several areas.  Consistent with this general posture, the Bush Administration frequently presented detailed legislation to Congress, expected the House of Representatives to pass it with only small changes and then negotiated with the Senate.  While Bush showed some deference to Congress’s role in the legislative process and some flexibility on what was possible to enact, he nonetheless sought to direct the legislative process with his specific proposals.  

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