congress !

concurrent powers (both)

• legislation passes both chambers

• power investigate executive

• overide president veto- 2/3 majority

• initiate consitution ammend- 2/3 majority

• impeachment

• declare war

• confirm appointed vice president

exclusive house powers

• power purse- initiate revenue raising bills

• initiate impeachment

• elect president if no majority in electoral college

exclusive senate powers

• try impeachment cases - need 2/3 majority to convict

• ratify treaties - 2/3 majority

• to elect VP if no candidate has majority

• to confirm executive appointments

why the senate is more prestigious

• represent entire states rather than districts

• serve 6 year terms so face re-election less

• only 100- vote matters more

• effective launchpad for presidential campaigns - truman, JFK, LBJ, nixon, obama , biden all served

• important exclusive powers - role in foreign policy

to represent they will

• vote legislation- help federal issues

• work on committees

• pork barrell policies- funds given to benefit congressional districts

factors affecting congress voting

• ‘folks back home’ - constant elections- joe manchin democrat votes w repub due to state being trump- brett kavanaugh decision due to him

• political party ideologies- rise in partisanship- no democrats voted for trump tax cuts and jobs act 2017- no republicans voted for biden inflation reduction act 2022

• caucuses- vote together- republican house freedom caucus- far right- played role in removing kevin mcarthy as house speaker 2023- congressional black caucus- george floyd policing act pass house

• pressure groups- 3.7 billion dollar industy- donate to campaigns- mobilise public opinion - NRA prevent gun control under obama - susan b antony senator election

• personl beliefs

• staff advisors

• colleagues - advise others

strenths of legislative process

• bipartisanship in times of crisi- passing CARES act 2020

• multiple veto points to ensure scrutiny- variosu satges- committee stave

• role of committees in expertise- develop areas- detailed work- senate foreign relations committee

• presidential veto as a balancing tool- check congress - lead to constructive negociations

• ability to respond to national priprotes- cycber security legidlation 2021

does it pass legislation effectively - NO

• high rate legislation fail- only 2.3 % bills become law

• gridlock occurs often in times of divided gov- failure of dream act 2010

• use of fillibusters- dream act and obstruction for the ppl act 2021

• complexity and multiple veto as barries- delays and amendments to significantly alyer bills

• gov shutdowns- if congress refuses to pass bills - trump 35 day

• influence of lobbyists- less democratic

oversight/scrutiny

• hold individuals in contemp

• investigate and confirm presidential appointments

• power of subpoena to gain access to documents

• appoint special investigators

• majority work done by standing committees

factors affecting congress oversight

• type of gov- united or divided

• partisan nature

• popularity polling - mandate promises- less popularity harder influence - after midterms

• effectiveness of president influences congress- biden effective due to time in congress and his connections

• type of area policy is- foreign policy weaker oversight- domestic higher - end of pbama republican controlled foreign relations and criticised deals

important of united and divided gov

unified

• significant cooperation- biden first 2 years- inflation reduction act and america n rescue act - jackson appoint

• less partisan nature 0 coronabirus aid relief package 2.2 trilion

divided

• higher partisan nature- more oversight - trump clinton biden attempted impeachment - 35 day shut down trump

• higher scrutiny

• obama nomination blocked

• but control senate more important - trump able to appoint barett

PARL V CONGRESS

PARLS

• bicameral

• exec present

• strong party discipline

• limited bills intro

• agenda set by gov

• unequasl powers

• sovereign

• no approval appointments

• undemocratic

• exec q by commons

CONGRESS

• bicameral

• exec absent

• weak party discipline

• vast bills intro

• congress set own agenda

• boun

Explain and analyse three reasons why it is so hard to pass a bill in the USA

P1- bicameral legislature- gridlock- affordable care act 2010 faced chaleneges depsite both democratic chambers- although it ensures scrutiny- it creates significant hurdles

P2- filibuster- only needs minority to block- voting rights legislation 2021 blocked by republican filibuster- procedural rules make it difficult to pass bills

P3- partisan polarization- growing ideological divide- 2018 gov shutdown over immigration funding- highlights deep divisions obstruct process

Explain and analyse three differences between the powers and influence of the House of Representatives and the Senate

P1- legislative powers- house power purse while senate confirms pres- senate has greater influence over judiciary- senate confirms justices even controversial- influence beyond legislation

P2- term length- senates have 6 years giving them broader focus over state house 2 years- house more reactive to public opinion- shape priorities of candidiates

P3-leadership rules- house has strict rules under speaker- senate flexible filibuster- house strict time limits so memebers have less influence- balance power in procedural differences

Explain and analyse three powers of Congress

P1-legislation- shape policy on healthcare - affordable care act 2010- determnes national laws and affect millions

P2- power purse- approval to allocate funds- restrct funding for vietnam war - limits president power- check executive branch

P3- investigation- watergate in 70's led to nixon resignation or trump administration- hold pres accountable for misconduct - check exec overreach

Explain and analyse three factors that affect voting in Congress

P1- party affiliation- party line voting- 2017 tax cuts and jobs act - repub support democ reject- shape legislative outcomes

P2- constituency interests- people back home- agriculture states or guncontrol reflect demographic political leanings at home- accountability

P3- lobbying/ interest groups- NRA sway voting- external pressures

Explain and analyse three ways in which Congress can be said to perform its representative function effectively

P1- geographic rep- allowing localized concerns to be addressed in federal policymaking.- senators from coastal states push for climate change measures- diverse voices are heard in the legislative process.

P2- delegate and trustee models- votes on healthcare or gun control may reflect a representative’s knowledge of their district’s preferences, while complex foreign policy decisions might involve broader judgment- dual approach helps Congress balance immediate and long-term representation.

P3- advocates for minority- Initiatives such as the Congressional Black Caucus or Hispanic Caucus advocate for issues like racial equity and immigration reform- Demonstrates how Congress has evolved to reflect the changing demographics

Explain and analyse three ways in which committees play an important role in Congress

P1- policy experitse- allow for detailed examination of proposed legislation- he House Ways and Means Committee focuses on tax policy- Demonstrates how committees streamline legislative processes and enhance the quality of policymaking

P2- oversight exec- hold the executive branch accountable, ensuring transparency and preventing abuses of power- House Oversight and Reform Committee into presidential conduct- Trump administration- critical in maintaining checks and balances

P3- division of labour- divide work enable efficiency and focus- armed service committee expertise in defense policy- specialization ensures Congress can handle a diverse range of issues effectively.

Explain and analyse three ways congress can check the power of the executive

P1- power purse- approval to allocate funds- restrct funding for vietnam war or trump wall - limits president power- check executive branch

P2- investigation- watergate in 70's led to nixon resignation or trump administration- hold pres accountable for misconduct - check exec overreach

P3- impeachment power- impeachment power - johnson, clinton and trump - congress ultimate ability - demonstrates constitutional mechanism to addresses breaches of conduct

Explain and analyse 3 ways that congressional oversight can be seen as ineffective

P1- partisan polarization- democrats’ oversight of the Trump administration faced accusations of excessive partisanship, diminishing public trust in the process.- Shows how political divisions can reduce oversight to partisan theatrics, undermining its credibility and effectiveness.

P2- lack of enforcement power- during investigations into the Trump administration, officials often refused to comply with subpoenas or delayed responses, citing executive privilege. This highlights Congress’s inability to compel action without prolonged legal battles.

P3-overwhleming scope of issues- vast scope of federal government activities and the complexity of issues often make effective oversight difficult to achieve- eviewing large budgets or monitoring complex programs, like defense spending or healthcare, can overwhelm congressional committees- practical limitations

Explain and analyse 3 ways congress can be seen as the broken branch

P1-legislative gridlock- 2018-2019 shutdown over border wall funding- leads to stagnation and undermines public confidence in Congress- Demonstrates how gridlock prevents Congress from addressing pressing national issues effectively.

P2- hyper partisanship- party affiliation- party line voting- 2017 tax cuts and jobs act - repub support democ reject- shape legislative outcomes

P3-decline in oversight effectiveness- failures to thoroughly investigate key issues, such as delays in addressing controversies during the Trump and Biden administrations- oversight hearings often devolve into political theater- weakened oversight contributes to the perception of Congress as ineffective in maintaining checks and balances

Explain and analyse 3 functions of congressional caucuses

P1- advocacy for specific issues- the Congressional Black Caucus champions issues like racial equity and social justice, while the Congressional Climate Solutions Caucus works on bipartisan climate change policies- Demonstrates how caucuses amplify diverse voices and ensure a wider range of perspectives in Congress.

P2- facilitating bipartisanship- Problem Solvers Caucus, focus on bridging partisan divides to find common ground on key issues.- such as infrastructure bills or budget agreements, fostering cooperation in an otherwise polarized Congress.- caucuses can improve legislative productivity

P3-organise legislative agendas- coordinate efforts among members with shared goals,- the House Freedom Caucus, representing conservative Republicans, exerts significant influence over party leadership and legislative priorities, shaping policy debates on issues like taxation and federa spending

essay plan v parliament

composition of congress 119th

• senate 53-47 republican

• house 220-215 republican

• 67 african american - 62 D 5R

• 2 consecutive african american senators- first time

• 52 hispanic/ latino

• 90% elected republicans are white

significance of incumbency

• high success- 2022 house 94% of incumbent won again

• use of office and financial advantage- gain donors - name recognition- incumbents raised 29 million in house for re election

• safe seats and gerrymandering- republican REDMAP operation- redraw districts- led to democrats losing 7 distrct in 2012 compared to 2008

• pork barrel legislation- benefits contituency- ‘bridge to nowehere’ in alaska to an island w only 50 residents but cost 223 million due to alaska senator

does congressn effectively represent

• frequent election- electorate hold them to account

• RATE OF relections compliment each other0 follow different models of representation trustee and delegate

• elected seperately from pres- behave indepently

• increased primacy challenegs ensure held to account for their view

• pork barell policies- emphasis importance of stages - sit on committees relevant to intersts

• increasing in diversity ish

comgress doesnt effectively represent

• success of incumbents - elections have little impact

• primaries give too much power to extreme to de seat oderates

• members house elected too frequently- overly focus on election and mney

• partisan domination - no room for differing views - fail to comprimse

• need forfunding make it succeptible to pressure groups

• not demographic- 119th barely any black republicans- doesnt reflect population 90% white but only 50% in country - fsilure pass radical legislation

• over focus on contiuents fails epresent nationally

fillibustering

• longest- cory booker 25 hours 1st april 2025 problems w trump policies - was strom thurmond for civil rights act

• ended by cloture w 2/3 vote

• the threat and action stalls legislation

important of committees

• 200 committees and sub

• allows memebers to use specialist knowledge

• house agriculture committes - glen thompson- represents district pensylvania w over 5000 farms - important to their economy

• power in lawmaking and veto legislation- difficult for party leaders too drive legislation

argument congress power of purse is significant

• fundamental check on executive

• used to effectively pass te CARES act - ability to respond swiftly in crisises

• controls millitary spending - shapes defense strategies

• influence domestic and foreign policy by funding and defunding programs and iniciiatives

argument congress power of purse isn’t significant

• undermined due to executive actions- emergency declaration and exec orders- trump redirection of military funds for border wall construction

• mandatory spending roles which arent adjusted by congress - reduces scope of congressional discretion

argument congress power over appointment is significant

• vital check to executive branch to ensure balance- senate rejection of reagan nominee due to overly partisan

• influence long term judiciary - impact majorityb policy areas

• thorough hearing and vetting processes ensure adhere to ethics etc- barett hearing rigorously examined previosu decisions

argument congress power over appointment isn’t significant

• more politically influenced driven confirmation process

• senates refusal of merrick - ignoring kavanaugh sexual assual allegations

• political loyalt erodes professionalism undermines effectiveness

argument congress foreign policy powers are significant

• power to declare war- shapes millitary engagmenrs

• wafr power resolution- designed to check president power using forces w/o approval

• control of budget to influence foreign policy

• ratification of international treaties- - new start treaty w russia require senate approval

argument congress foreign policy power are ineffective

• increas euse of executive orders and military actions

• failure to repeal or amend authorization of military force after 9/11 attacks

• often face challenegs presented unified stance due to partisan divisions - division w republicans ukraine war

• exeutive branch as commander in chief often take slead in inciitatives and negociations