(12) differences between lords and senate

Question 1

senate is co-equal

Answer 1

-UK, lords cannot block a bill due to constitutional reforms (salisbury convention, parliament acts) e.g. hunting act 2004
-US, senate is co-equal to house, they can veto each other (intra check) e.g. senate blocked Build Back Better Bill
-structural, US constitution designates certain powers to the senate, lords lacks power due to a lack of democratic legitimacy

Question 2

senate confirms executive nominees

Answer 2

-UK, lords has no power to confirm or block appointments, PM has powers of patronage to appoint 120 ministers e.g. Lords had no influence over Sunak’s appointment of Hunt
-US, senate confirms presidential nominees to executive, simple majority required or senate can block nominations e.g. Clinton was confirmed as Obama Secretary of State
-cultural, US being liberal has far more checks and balances on the executive, UK being conservative allows strong authority in executive

Question 3

senate can remove executive

Answer 3

-UK, lords has no power to remove PM, he must only retain the confidence of the commons e.g. Callaghan 1979
-US, senate has trial power after impeachment, requires 2/3 majority to remove president e.g. 2 trials after trump’s impeachments
-cultural, US is federal so gives states final say over who remains president, UK is parliamentary so authority is given to MPs