Exam Review on Government Structure and Powers

Review of Power and Authority in Government Institutions

Key Concepts: Structure vs. Function

• Structure of Government Institutions: Defined by the Constitution, serving as the outline or rulebook guiding government institutions.
    - Example: Congress is designated as a bicameral legislature with specific powers for policymaking.

• Function of Government Institutions: Refers to how institutions operate within the established rules to implement policies, oversee functions, and exercise powers.

Understanding Power and Authority

• Power: Indicates what actions can be taken, generally defined by the Constitution.
    - Examples of congressional powers:
      - Power to spend money.
      - Power to print money.
      - Power to declare war.

• Authority: Refers to the right or permission granted to another entity to exercise power.
    - Example: Congress has the power to build spaceships but grants NASA the authority to do it due to their expertise.

Importance of Understanding these Concepts

• Knowledge of structure, function, power, and authority is critical, particularly for upcoming exams.
    - Shift from definition-based to fact-pattern-based exam questions.

Congressional Powers

• Constitutional Powers of Congress:
    - Power over economic policies.
      - Levying Taxes: Power to impose taxes, considered the power of the purse.
      - Establishing Tariffs: Congress can impose tariffs but grants authority to the president to execute these actions.
        - Example: Relevant current issues highlight the tension between congressional power and executive actions on tariffs.
      - Borrowing Money: Congress has the authority to borrow money, which has led to significant national debt (e.g., approximately $38 ext{ trillion}$).
    - Regulating Interstate Commerce: Congress can regulate any activity crossing state lines (e.g., trucking, airlines).
        - Agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are authorized to oversee specific sectors.
    - National Security Powers:
      - Declaring War: Congress has the power to declare war, primarily for offensive actions.
      - Conducting Defensive Actions: The president, as commander in chief, can respond immediately to threats, such as an invasion, without waiting for congressional approval.
        - Importance of decisiveness in defensive scenarios.
    - Funding and Regulation of Armed Forces: Congress oversees military funding, equipping, and legislative changes relating to military operations.
    - Treaty Ratification: Only the Senate, a part of Congress, has the power to ratify treaties negotiated by the president.
    - Regulatory Powers: Congress has the authority to set standards for weights and measures, copyright laws, and bankruptcy rules.
    - Judicial Powers: Establishes the federal court system below the Supreme Court, creates courts, and punishes counterfeiters and piracy on the high seas.

Functional Aspects of Congress

• Pork Barrel Spending (Earmarks): Using congressional power to allocate funds for local projects to win voter support.
    - Example: Congressional members trade support for each other's projects to gain funding for their interests.

• Casework: Handling individual constituent issues, such as immigration or IRS concerns, demonstrates the public-focused function of Congress.

• Policymaking: Congress is primarily responsible for creating laws impacting various sectors, maintaining oversight of executive agencies.

• Oversight: Congress monitors and evaluates agencies it funds, ensuring compliance with legislation and accountability.
    - Example: Oversight hearings can question agency officials on their actions and decisions, as seen in inquiries into the FBI's actions.

• Agenda Setting: While Congress sets its legislative agenda, the president can influence it through public pressure and media attention.

Leadership Structures

• U.S. House:
    - Only the Speaker of the House is formally established in the Constitution.
    - Other roles include the Majority Leader and Whips (not constitutionally required), directing legislative priorities.

• U.S. Senate:
    - The Vice President serves as President of the Senate, primarily breaking ties.
    - The President Pro Tempore is the longest-serving member of the majority party, largely ceremonial.
    - The Senate Majority Leader effectively holds the most power, guiding legislative strategy and committee assignments.

Conclusion

• Understanding the intricate balance of power and authority between Congress and the presidency, as well as the specifics of leadership and functions within Congress, is essential for grasping the operational dynamics of the U.S. government.

• Students must be prepared to analyze these functions and relationships critically in examinations and discussions.