11.   A product of the new Constitution, the legislative branch is only evolving as an instrument of national power.

12.   After all, Dole is a creature of the legislative branch, much like Lyndon Johnson, Gerald Ford, and, to a lesser extent, Richard Nixon.

13.   Burg asserted that as the head of the legislative branch of government, he could act independently of Sharon, the head of the executive branch.

14.   But overwhelmingly, the Congress has backed Bush, leading some members of Congress to worry that the legislative branch is surrendering too much power to the executive.

15.   But the Supreme Court ruled last May that the statute no longer applied to the legislative branch, seemingly barring its use against members of Congress.

16.   Chief Justice Charles Wells immediately asked him whether the courts had the power to override the legislative branch, which sets election laws, in ordering the ballot count.

17.   Clinton may have the right to claim certain legal privileges in jousting with the legislative branch, Thompson agreed.

18.   Congress also cleared a bill funding the legislative branch, but Clinton vetoed it because he wants Congress to fund other programs before it funds itself.

19.   Congress has passed the annual spending bills for defense, the legislative branch and military construction.

20.   Congressional Republicans, who had fought the Clinton plan because it threatened their control of the legislative branch, hailed the ruling.