Guide: Of course not. Go ahead. What is it that you’d like to know?
Tourist B: Does the Congress take part in US foreign policy formulation?
Guide: Very much so. The US participation in world affairs since World War II has greatly expanded the role of the Congress in foreign policymaking.
Tourist C: We thought that this was the competence of the State Department.
Guide: This is what the foreigners usually think. The President is the central figure of American foreign policy, and the final responsibility is his.
Tourist D: And the State Secretary’s?
Guide: While the President makes the most critical decisions, he cannot possibly attend to all matters affecting international relations. The Secretary of State, the first-ranking member of the Cabinet, is at the same time the President’s principal adviser in formulating foreign policy.
Tourist A: What are the problems requiring the attention of the Secretary?
Guide: They are manifold — from maintaining country’s security to rescuing an individual American who got in serious trouble in some remoted area of the world.
Dialogue 2 (Continuation)
Tourist B: And where does the Congress come into picture?
Guide: To begin with, none of this country’s far-reaching, programs — participation in the United Nations, economic, technical and military assistance — would have been possible without congressional action.
Tourist C: The annual appropriations of funds for enormous military build up, I presume, need congressional approval, too?
Guide: Absolutely so, but only on the recommendations of the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees of both Houses.
Tourist D: Who are the members of numerous House and Senate Committees?
Guide: They are usually experienced and authoritative members of Congress with long service. Their inspections abroad and participation in US delegations to the UN General Assembly and to many other international conferences give them firsthand experience with US foreign problems.
Tourist A: Who informs the members of Congress on the current foreign policy issues?
Guide: The Secretary of State does. He meets regularly with the members of Senate and House Committees and brief s them on a broad range of foreign policy matters. They are kept well-informed of the international developments affecting this country.
Tourist B: Does the State Department provide these bodies with comprehensive reports on US foreign policy?
Guide: To further facilitate the relationship with the Congress, the Secretary of State annually provides the Committees with a comprehensive report on US Foreign Policy.
