Analyse the different legislative powers of the UK Parliament and the US Congress

Question 1

Point 1 : Separation of powers

Answer 1

• US congress more legislative power due to separation of powers vs fusion of powers in UK
• Legislative powers of Congress guaranteed in Article 1, unlike UK parliament.
• Congress can overturn presidential veto UK can’t

Question 2

Point 2 : Distribution of power

Answer 2

• Legislative power shared equally between houses in US not in the UK
• House of Lords particularly limited as can only delay legislation for up to one year and can be overruled by commons.
• However in congress, neither houses can overrule each other

Question 3

Point 3 : Financial legislation

Answer 3

• US congress more control over financial legislation than UK
• Both Senate and HoR can amend and pass money bills, the house of lords cannot due to Parliament Act 1911

Question 4

Structural theory

Answer 4

• US constitution codified with explicit powers for both houses unlike the UK
• The US HoR and senate have explicit power over key areas which allow them to dominate key legislative policies e.g. domestic policy (house) and foreign policy (Senate)
• Whereas both houses of parliament expected to deal with all issues