Evaluate The View That Congress Is ‘The Broken Branch’. (30)

AGREE 1

The HoR fails to represent the country as a whole effectively.

women make up 29% of the 119^th congress despite 50% of the US population being women. Additionally, 26% of congress is nonwhite whereas nonwhites make up 42% of the US population.

DISAGREE 1

Highly effective in representing the electorate as Senators and congresspeople prioritise representing local interests of their constituency as their re-election is dependent on it.

congress members are encouraged not to stay in Washington so they can stay in touch with their constituents this can be shown through regular town hall meetings where voters can raise their concerns, ask questions and hold their representatives accountable.

AGREE 2

Unable to pass important pieces of legislation due to divided government.

Obama 2010 midterms REP gained control over house leading to divided govt. popularity weakened and made congress less unwilling to support his legislative agenda. As a result he failed to pass the DREAM Act.

DISAGREE 2

Able to pass important pieces of bipartisan legislation despite significant partisanship in US politics

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus law in response to COVID 19 was passed under divided government in march 2020.

AGREE 3

Congress’s power of impeachment is very weak as the requirement of a supermajority often prevents successful removal.

Trump has been impeached two times yet has not faced removal due to the senate failing to reach the required 2/3 majority.

DISAGREE 3

Congress can carry out investigations on the president through its oversight powers.

congress has carried out investigations on trumps involvement with Epstein and has even forced trump into signing a bill which required the Department of Justice to release further evidence