C-SPAN Congressional Glossary

TermDefinitionUsed In
Executive Privilege EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE refers to the assertion made by the President or other executive branch officials when they refuse to give Congress, the courts, or private parties information or records which have been requested or subpoenaed, or when they order government witnesses not to testify before Congress.

The assertion is based on the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers, is always controversial, subject to interpretation, and often litigated.

House & Senate



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