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Court Clarifies Congressional Powers

1985

Congress, through the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act of 1985, gives the comptroller general of the United States the right to make budget cuts to control the budget deficit for the years 1986-1991. The U.S. Supreme Court holds that these vested powers are unconstitutional and a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers. It determines that Congress has allowed the comptroller general to intrude on the power of the executive branch.