The Unitary Executive and the Clinton Administration
Posted: 19 Jan 2009 Last revised: 3 Nov 2009
Date Written: January 17, 2009
Abstract
Much has been written about the unitary executive theory and presidential power and its connection to Republican presidents, in particular the George W. Bush administration. What has not gotten a lot of attention is how the theory was extended by and through the Clinton administration.
While Clinton promised a break from the way his Republican predecessors governed, once in office he grabbed a hold of the powers provided by the unitary executive and implemented them through a series of executive orders and OLC opinions.
Keywords: Unitary Executive, Presidential Power, Signing Statements, Executive Orders
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