What was the impact of the Case Act of 1972?

The Case Act of 1972 primarily required the president to notify Congress about executive agreements that are made with foreign nations. Prior to this legislation, while executive agreements were used extensively by presidents to bypass the lengthy and formal treaty process, there was little accountability or obligation to keep Congress informed. The Case Act aimed to promote transparency and oversight by mandating that the president report these agreements to Congress within a specified timeframe.

This requirement reinforced the importance of congressional involvement in foreign policy matters, even if it did not alter the president's ability to enter into agreements independently. While other choices suggest various levels of presidential power relative to Congress, the Case Act specifically focused on ensuring that Congress is aware of such agreements, thereby fostering a system of checks and balances within the government.