Presidential Biographies | Washington Administrations - Washington and Congress

Washington and Congress

The unprecedented nature of government in Washington's administration meant that both the president and the Congress had to innovate in all areas where the Constitution was silent. This included questions of etiquette and the conventions of proper conduct within and between the different branches of government. In some ways there was continuity. Although the idea of a strong executive was a departure from the previous period, the Congress contained many of the same political leaders who had been prominent under the Articles of Confederation. Washington tried to establish sound principles for working with Congress based on a limited definition of the powers of his office. He took the doctrine of separation of powers very seriously, avoiding even the suggestion that he was treading on Congress's prerogatives and authority. He refused to speak for or against a candidate for Congress and maintained careful silence...