The Iran-Contra Affair: Patriotism or Politics?
  • Home
  • Introduction
  • Background
  • Encountering Restraints
    • The Boland Amendments
    • The Hughes-Ryan Amendment & Intelligence Oversight Act
    • Operation Staunch
    • The Arms Export Control Act
  • Exploring Alternatives
  • The Iran-Contra Exchange
    • Supporting the Contras >
      • Funding for Support
      • Military Support
      • Intelligence Support
    • Iranian Arms for Hostage Deals
  • Outcome
  • Conclusion
  • Legacy
  • More...
    • Annotated Bibliography
    • Interview Transcripts
    • Process Paper

Encountering Restraints

Throughout the 1980s, Congress continued to curtail the increased power obtained by the executive branch during the Cold War to promote a more collaborative relationship.      
"The Watergate scandal and exposés of CIA abuses at home and abroad raised alarms about an ‘imperial presidency’...​"
- Malcolm Byrne,  Iran-Contra: Reagan's Scandal and the Unchecked Abuse of Presidential Power

As executive power peaked, the communist threat abated following Nixon’s attempts to restore relations with the USSR and China.  For these reasons, Congress passed laws increasing its influence and oversight.   
Click the buttons below to view specific laws that the Reagan Administration encountered.
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Header Image:

Photo by reagan.utexas.edu, "President Reagan addressing Joint Session of Congress on program for economic recovery."

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Brian Holt
Senior Individual Website

Student Composed Words: 1,198
​Process Paper: 496


  • Home
  • Introduction
  • Background
  • Encountering Restraints
    • The Boland Amendments
    • The Hughes-Ryan Amendment & Intelligence Oversight Act
    • Operation Staunch
    • The Arms Export Control Act
  • Exploring Alternatives
  • The Iran-Contra Exchange
    • Supporting the Contras >
      • Funding for Support
      • Military Support
      • Intelligence Support
    • Iranian Arms for Hostage Deals
  • Outcome
  • Conclusion
  • Legacy
  • More...
    • Annotated Bibliography
    • Interview Transcripts
    • Process Paper