Congress has been making more headlines than usual lately with issues ranging from the ratification of a treaty to the annual budget showdown between Congress and Bill Clinton. In both of these situations the powers of Congress, and whether they are being used properly has come into question.

On Friday, Oct. 22, the Saint Louis University School of Law will hold a symposium entitled “Congress: Does it Abdicate its Power?” addressing the issue of Congress relinquishing its powers to the Supreme Court and president. The symposium will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Kniep Courtroom of the SLU School of Law, 3700 Lindell Blvd. Constitutional matters, such as the power of advise and consent as well as powers dealing with war will be addressed.

This year, Professor Joel Goldstein organized and coordinated events for the symposium.

“The symposium deals with Congress’ relinquishing its powers to the court and president,” Goldstein said.

This symposium will host a variety of speakers from around the country who will discuss the numerous issues surrounding Congress. These people range from academics to those who have been previously involved in the workings of Congress.

Speakers at the conference include Louis Fisher of the Congressional Research Service, who will speak at 9:10. He will present “Congress: Does it Abdicate Its Power?” Fisher is a renowned expert on Congress and has written several books on the issue. Last year Fisher gave a presentation on the topic of the U.S. Presidency 25 years after Watergate. His speech this year is believed to be a follow up to last year’s.

Following Fisher’s presentation, former U.S. Representative Jim Cooper of Tennessee will present “Should Congress Abdicate Its Power?” at 11 a.m.

At a 12:15 p.m. luncheon, former Senator Thomas F. Eagleton, after whom the new federal courthouse downtown is named, will give his keynote address concerning the War Powers Act of 1973. Eagleton was originally the author of the bill, but declined his support when it took a turn away from what he had initially intended.

Speakers from St. Louis, as well as other parts of the country, will make visits to the symposium as well. These individuals include:

 Professor Neal Devins, from the College of William and Mary Marshall Wythe School of Law in Williamsburg, Virginia

 Former Senator Alan Dixon of Illino

 Professor Brannon Denning from Southern Illinois University School of Law

 Former Congresswoman Joan Kelly Horn of Missouri

 Professor Douglas Williams from Saint Louis University School of Law

 Professor Dennis Tuchler from Saint Louis University School of Law

 Professor Ronald Levin from Washington University School of Law

 and Professor Merton Berson from Washington University School of Law

Other constitutional issues to be discussed at the event include the spending powers of Congress and the efficiency of checks and balances between the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government.

“The affairs of the symposium will be published in the Saint Louis University Public Law Review,” said Jim Crow, managing editor for the publication.