Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: October 2008
• While Congress was on a five-week recess from August to September, the process for nominating presidential candidates (Senators John McCain and Barack Ob

• While Congress was on a five-week recess from August to September, the process for nominating presidential candidates (Senators John McCain and Barack Obama) took over the news headlines and focused attention on the coming election. As the campaign heated up and gathered steam, there were ever more promises as to what each candidate, if elected, would do by way of new programs and legislation.

However, the President can only suggest, recommend, request, cajole and entreat Congress, which has the lawmaking power to carry out the administration policies and programs. History has shown that no matter what party has control of the Senate and the House of Representatives, lawmakers do not always introduce and enact legislation that follows presidential desires.