Examine:Analyse The Differences Between The Powers Of The US House of Representatives and the UK House of Commons

Paragraph Focus

• Para 1 = Scrutiny

• Para 2 = Legislative Power

• Para 3 = Term Length and Election Frequency

Para 1 = House of Representatives

• the chambers doesn’t have the power to engage in direct scrutiny of the President themselves on a regular basis

• this may prevent the executive from being held to account effectively or address the issues of citizens

Para 1 = House of Commons

• eg. 3rd June 2026, Reform leader Nigel Farage pressed Starmer about the police handling of the murder of Henry Novak claiming evidence of two tier policing

• this shows that the Commons has the ability to directly scrutinise the PM in PMQs keeping pressure on the executive to directly address the concerns of the public and opposition

• this holds the government to account and prevents an elective dictatorship where the executive would act without being checked

Comparative Theory

• this can be explained by the structural theory

• the UK has a fusion of powers meaning the PM sits in the HosC and is directly accountable to it

• the US has separation of powers meaning that the President cannot sit in the legislative and is accountable to the people only

Para 2 = House of Representatives

• for example, the Big Beautiful Bill 2025 required approval from both the House and Senate, and the Republican majority in both chambers ensured this

• this shows that both chambers of Congress have equal legislative powers, as without support of both chambers, legislation cannot be passed

• this ensures that neither chamber can dominate the legislative process and that there is sufficient democratic input

Para 2 = House of Commons

• eg. Blair’s government in the Commons used the Parliament’s Act 1911 and 1949 to force the Hunting Act 2004 through the Lords

• this shows that Commons have more legislative powers through their ability to force bills

• this prevents the unelected and unaccountable Lords from holding too much power over legislation

Comparative Theory

• this can be explained by the structural theory

• the Commons is dominant by statute, the House is co equal with the Senate by constitution

• the US Constitution has checks and balances to ensure there is careful consideration before legislation is passed so that no one branch is too powerful

• the UK Constitution has the fusion of powers and focuses on the Commons parliamentary sovereignty over legislation

Para 3 = House of Representatives

• Representatives serves 2 year terms which creates more frequent accountability but also a permanent campaigning environment

Para 3 = House of Commons

• UK MPs serve for up to 5 years

• the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 returned the power to call election to the PM

• this gives less frequent accountability in elections but more stable terms to commit and complete campaign promises