Do parties exert too much control in Congress?

Do Parties and partisanship undermine the oversight role?
Y:
During times of divided government, oversight is likely to be too strong
Congress is attempting to find fault with the president and organises oversight that is unnecessary or overly aggressive
Oversight function is ineffective if the president has a majority in both chambers. Congress being accused of working to support anything done in the name of the party and failing to check the president
N:
Despite partisanship, Congress operates at the right level regardless of party majority
Checks are in line with the aims of the Founding Fathers to have limited government and high checks and balances
Even with a majority, presidents are often strongly checked by Congress

Do parties and partisanship undermine the legislative role?
Y:
When the presidency, House and Senate are controlled by the same party, partisanship can make it too easy to pass legislation
Under a divided government the opposite occurs; Congress goes too far the other way and is highly unlikely to pass legislation. Congress is highly ineffective in meeting the needs of the US if it cannot legislate
N:
Parties are often considered quite weak in the US, allowing individual members of Congress to vote for legislation based on its merits not due to pressure from party leaders
Congress has successfully passed legislation on a regular basis, often with compromise between parties, which can improve the quality of a bill

Do parties and partisanship undermine the representative role?
Y:
Partisanship can undermine representation when a member of Congress might automatically vote according to the wishes of their party rather than constituents.
Under a divided government, the opposing party of the president is often united in attempting to vote against presidential proposals regardless of the public opinion in their district or state
N:
High unity and polarisation between parties could be seen as responding to the wishes of the public not rejecting it
The general public has polarised in the US and Republican politicians are simply giving voters what they are asking for in conservative districts
Politicians in marginal constituencies are likely to compromise with politicians of another party, showing their desire to represent public opinion in their constituency