15 congress/judiciary

Question 1

how does congress exercise oversight over the executive branch?

Answer 1

LOA:

1) Money/fed bureaucracy
2) appointments
- only a power of the senate not house
3) foreign policy

Question 2

To what extent is it true that the real work of Congress takes place in committee rooms?

Answer 2

yes - legislation; appointments; oversight
No - little control after report out; vote aint decisive
Cahgne over time - bypass congress (petition/reconciliation)

Question 3

what is judicial activism and why controversial?

Answer 3

unelected/unaccountable
ideologically skewed
long lasting/hard to undo

Question 4

why is x judicial philosophy controversial?

Answer 4

indicative of ideological divide cons v. liberal/political court
scope of court/impact
ideological devisions (5/4s)

Question 5

location of power in congress?

Answer 5

LOA = committees

committees
party leadership
caucuses

Question 6

why supreme court appointments have been criticised

Answer 6

nominations too ideological
approval too politicised
excessive outside influence

Question 7

factors influencing supreme court appointments

Answer 7

ideology/judicial philosophy
certainty/longevity
representation
senate

Question 8

why are supreme court appointments so controversial?

Answer 8

high stakes
change over time
politicised process