But now, presented with a Democratic President with pallid public support, he has become a champion of Congressional prerogative.

Administration officials said that Mr. Clinton's use of the word "request" was meant to acknowledge Congressional prerogatives without giving up his own.

Senator Byrd, a leading defender of Congressional prerogatives, said his Republican colleagues were foolishly trying to give up precious rights.

The Administration "ignored or challenged" such restrictions when they were in reports, said Mr. Byrd, a zealous defender of Congressional prerogatives.

Although the debate over Congressional prerogatives sharpened after Vietnam, it has existed since the United States was formed.

"A lot of this was an assertion of Congressional prerogative," he said.

The modern debate over Congressional prerogatives sharpened after Vietnam.

They think this administration has defied their Congressional prerogatives and gone off on some kind of intelligence adventure.

A defender of Congressional prerogatives.

More than any other issue, it gave him the chance to challenge President Reagan, re-establish Congressional prerogatives, and make people forget Tip O'Neill.