CHECKS AND BALANCES BY CONGRESS ON EXECUTIVE

Question 1

The effectiveness of amending, delaying or rejecting a presidents legislation

Answer 1

Without congress support a president cannot pass legislation

Less effective when unified government

Still can use filibusters during a unified government

Question 2

The effectiveness of overriding a presidential veto

Answer 2

Rarely happens as you need a 2/3 majority

Question 3

The effectiveness of the power of the purse

Answer 3

Very powerful check

Congress can get big favours in return for accepting a budget

Can force a government shutdown if budget not accepted

Question 4

The effectiveness of refusing to confirm presidential appointments (SENATE)

Answer 4

Can be very significant

In 2016 the republican senate refused Obama’s appointment to the USSC merrick garland . This prevented a USSC democrat majority

Question 5

The effectiveness of refusing to ratify treaties (SENATE)

Answer 5

A 2/3 majority needed so most presidents use executive agreements to skip this step

Question 6

The effectiveness of the power to declare war

Answer 6

Limited effectiveness - not declared war since 1942

Question 7

The effectiveness of investigations

Answer 7

High-profile congressional investigations are an important form of scrutiny