Congressional Oversight. 2 credits

Catalog description

The course will examine the constitutional and legal authorities that underlie Congress’s investigative powers and discuss the tools—legal, political, and otherwise—that Congress has at its disposal to obtain the information it seeks. Through the study of landmark Supreme Court cases, significant circuit and district court cases, major congressional investigations, and secondary authorities, students will develop a sophisticated understanding of a fascinating subject that has been described by congressional experts “as one part law, one part history, and one part politics.” In so doing, students will think about how best to conduct effective congressional oversight, from the perspective of an aggressive congressional oversight counsel, and how best to defend clients who finds themselves in Congress’s crosshairs, from the perspective of a seasoned DC defense lawyer.Offered by Law. May not be repeated for credit.