<P> The Constitution entrusts certain powers to the Senate alone . The President may only nominate for appointment Cabinet officials, judges, and other high officers "by and with the advice and consent" of the Senate . The Senate confirms most presidential nominees, but rejections are not uncommon . Furthermore, treaties negotiated by the President must be ratified by a two - thirds majority vote in the Senate to take effect . As a result, presidential arm - twisting of senators can happen before a key vote; for example, President Obama's secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, urged her former senate colleagues to approve a nuclear arms treaty with Russia in 2010 . The House of Representatives has no formal role in either the ratification of treaties or the appointment of federal officials, other than filling vacancies in the office of Vice-President; a vote in each House is required to confirm a president's nomination for vice-president if a vacancy happens . </P> <P> In 1803, the Supreme Court established judicial review of federal legislation in Marbury v. Madison, holding, however, that Congress could not grant unconstitutional power to the Court itself . The Constitution does not explicitly state that the courts may exercise judicial review; however, the notion that courts could declare laws unconstitutional was envisioned by the founding fathers . Alexander Hamilton, for example, mentioned and expounded upon the doctrine in Federalist No. 78 . Originalists on the Supreme Court have argued that if the constitution doesn't say something explicitly it is unconstitutional to infer what it should, might or could have said . What this means is that the Supreme Court can nullify a congressional law . It is a huge check by the courts on the legislative authority and limits congressional power . In 1851, for example, the Supreme Court struck down provisions of a congressional act of 1820 in the Dred Scott decision . However, the Supreme Court can also extend congressional power through its constitutional interpretations . </P> <P> Investigations are conducted to gather information on the need for future legislation, to test the effectiveness of laws already passed, and to inquire into the qualifications and performance of members and officials of the other branches . Committees may hold hearings, and, if necessary, compel individuals to testify when investigating issues over which it has the power to legislate by issuing subpoenas . Witnesses who refuse to testify may be cited for contempt of Congress, and those who testify falsely may be charged with perjury . Most committee hearings are open to the public (the House and Senate intelligence committees are the exception); important hearings are widely reported in the mass media . Transcripts of most hearings are published within two months of the actual meeting . Congress, in the course of studying possible laws and investigating matters, generates an incredible amount of information in various forms, and can be described as a publisher . Indeed, it publishes congressional reports of two types: House and Senate reports, and Senate Executive Reports . It maintains databases which are updated irregularly with publications in a variety of electronic formats, including ASCII texts and Adobe's "Portable Document Format" or commonly known as pdf files' . </P> <P> Congress also plays a role in presidential elections . Both Houses meet in joint session on the sixth day of January following a presidential election to count the electoral votes, and there are procedures to follow if no candidate wins a majority . </P>

Presidents can most directly influence the future decisions of the us supreme court by