Determining the Need for an Army Liaison Staff to Congress for Strategic Matters

This paper investigates the need for an Army liaison staff to Congress for strategic matters. The historical and descriptive approaches are used to evaluate pertinent documentary evidence. The Congressional process, as it pertains to military policy, is illustrated with two different models. In recent years Congress has displayed a strong desire to curb the powers of the President and to reassert Congressional prerogatives. However, in attempting to reassert control, Congress may be ignoring the greater impact of its actions upon military strategy. Without close coordination and cooperation between Congress and the Administration on development of military policy, the strategic effort can be degraded. It is evident from the history of the Army legislative liaison effort that liaison between the Army and Congress has developed in response to a need for better communication between the two bodies. The determination of many members of Congress to reassert Congressional prerogatives, particularly in the area of the war powers, has underscored the need to once again improve communications. A good professional understanding between the Army and Congress is needed to implement wise legislation.