Why was the January 2015 visit and speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a significant indicator of congressional–presidential relations? How did the speech circumvent the long-standing understanding of the president and Congress’s relationships with foreign leaders? What impact could this speech have on U.S. relationships with other countries?

What will be an ideal response?

Answers should identify how Congress’s invitation to Netanyahu was in response to President Obama’s continued negotiations with Iranian leaders over Iran’s ongoing nuclear development programs. The Republican-majority House of Representatives, led by Speaker John Boehner, bypassed the long-standing tradition of hosting foreign leaders through presidential invitation. Answers should identify how Congress’s invitation signaled to other U.S. allies that its domestic tensions (between Congress and the president) may result in inconsistent and unreliable behavior by the United States.