The Unitary Executive and the Clinton Administration

Abstract:     
Much has been written about the unitary executive theory and presidential power and its connection to Republican presidents, in particular the George W. Bush administration. What has not gotten a lot of attention is how the theory was extended by and through the Clinton administration.

While Clinton promised a break from the way his Republican predecessors governed, once in office he grabbed a hold of the powers provided by the unitary executive and implemented them through a series of executive orders and OLC opinions.

Keywords: Unitary Executive, Presidential Power, Signing Statements, Executive Orders

working papers series