2.2- functions of congress Flashcards
Give an example of a committee that effectively scrutinised government
The January 6th committee
- investigated Donald trumps role in the insurrection against the us
- interviewed over 1000 people and reviewed over 1 million documents
- the evidence gained is now being used in the 4 charges against Trump
Give an example of an ineffective select committee
The Select Committee on Benghazi
- was voted for by 225 Republicans and 7 Democrats
- at the time, Hilary Clinton was the expected democrat presidential candidate
Give an example of an act that could not break the filibuster
the 2010 dream act
-52 in favour, needed 60
give an example of an act that received bipartisan support, and what vote did it pass with
Safer Communities Act (2022)
- implemented stronger gun regulation
- 65-33 with 15 Republicans in favour
How many oversight hearings did George Bush face and why was the number so low
37
- 90% popularity due to the rally around the flag effect after 9-11
what is the role of the 1973 war powers act
-the president must notify congress within 48 hours of launching military action
- must hold a congressional vote within 60 days
- 30 days to remove troops
give an example of when Congress has withdrawn funding from a war
the case church amendment- withdrew funding from the Vietnam War
give an example of when Congress has put limits on funding in a war
Congress passed an appropriations bill stating that funding could only be used for intelligence gathering in the 1975 Angolan war
Name the act that prevents the president from delaying funds that Congress has already appropriated
The Impoundment Control Act
Give an example of when Congress was unable to get the supermajority needed to pass a treaty
The Comprehensive Test Ban treaty
- voted against by 51 senators
What are the arguments in favour of Congress being effective at performing its functions
- oversight: can use committees e.g Jan 6th, power of thr purse and treaties/war
- representation: congressperson prioritise state needs, Connecticut compromise ensures a voice for small states
- legislation: the need for supermajorities and two chambers encourages bipartisanship
what % of legislation makes it through the committee stage
10%
what % of proposed bills become acts
2%
what are the arguments against Congress effectively performing its function
- oversight: is dependent on divided government and popularity (varies), presidents can use executive powers to avoid oversight measures
- representation: is descriptively unrepresentative, prioritising state interests can lead to ineffective policy-making, Connecticut compromise overrepresents small states
- legislation: scrutiny comes at the expense of output, filibuster allows for minority obstruction
How did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 show the importance of bipartisan support?
- it broke the filibuster
- 70-30 support average across both houses
give an example of significant pork barreling by a senator.
- Robert Byrd (the king of pork)
- set a goal in 1989 to raise $1 bn for his state
- passed his goal in 1991
Give an example of an individual putting state interests over national interests.
- Joe Manchin
- helped to pass the 2022 IRA
- now is in an “unrelenting fight” against it
- his state is dominated by coal mining
Give a recent example of the Senate not ratifying a treaty.
- 2012
- an Obama-backed treaty on disabled rights
- gained the support of only 63 senators
give an example of a significant government shut down.
2019
- 35-day shutdown
- Congress couldn’t agree on an appropriations bill with Donald Trump
- cost $11 billion in lost work
Give an example of when united government was not sufficient to force through presidents legislation.
in 2017 trump had a united government yet failed to replace the ACA (2010) with the AHCA due to opposition from centrist republicans
what do standing committees do?
- decide what bills to accept
- it effectively re-writes the bill with ammendments
give an example of recent partisan oversight measures?
HOR initiated an impeachment trial of biden
- the charge is that as VP, biden profited from his sons foreign business ventures
- this is problematic as there is no firm proof
what are the models of representation?
- delegate model (HOR )
- trustee model (senate)- independent
- resembalance (descriptive)
when trump was impeached for the second time how many republicans vote to impeach? why might this argued to be the case?
- just 7/50
- in large part due to the high levels of support for trump from their voters
give a significant example of gerymandering.
- the REDMAP initiative- redrawing of congressional district lines in pensalvania
- in 2008 the democrats won pensalvania with 12/18
- in 2012 the democrats won 5/18 districts
how does the IRA show growing party divides?
- no republicans voter for it
- only 1 democrat voted against
give an example of when a representative votes outside party lines because it aligns with their state?
Joe Manchin has regularly voted with republicans, may be because his state is more right leaning and voted for trump in 2016 and 2020
what did 2023 polling show about public satisfaction with congress?
- only 20% of respondents approved of how it performs its job
