Jefferson Administrations - Jefferson and Congress
Jefferson and Congress
Jefferson served during the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Congresses, each having a Republican majority in both houses. During his first term, Jefferson used the Republican majority to establish a productive rapport with Congress. While he respected the separation of powers, Jefferson took seriously the presidential privilege of making recommendations to Congress. During his first term, Jefferson only had to suggest legislation and it was almost always enacted, making aggressive governmental reform not only possible but easy.
Jefferson courted politicians with three dinner parties each week at the presidential mansion that brought together carefully selected members of Congress, the executive branch, and foreign diplomats. Political discussions were forbidden. Outside of these social occasions, Jefferson minimized official contact with Congress. A stronger writer than orator, Jefferson delivered his...
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