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6-Politics- Paper 3- USA > Congress > Flashcards

Congress Flashcards

1
Q

Example of speaker powerful

A

2013 speaker boehner refused to timetable the bill comprehensive immigration reform billi n the house

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2
Q

Ff on congress

A

Trying to avoid a tyrant
Limit terms
Article 1
Oversight main aim

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3
Q

Examples of united gov

A

Rare
2002 bush r- gained senate r control

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4
Q

Example of divided government

A

2022 biden
Lost house tgo r

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5
Q

Congress more willing to challenge president

A

2016 when republican senate refused to allow confirmation hearings for obama sc nominations
Senate leade mcconneeell claimed they had a stronger mandate than a ‘lame duck president whose priorities and policies just rejected in the most recent national election

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6
Q

Etv that congress is effective at its role

A

Loa no
Legislation
Representation
Oversight

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7
Q

Congres effective- legislation- yes

A

Sucess- major legilstaion passed- ira
Low pass rate suggests only pass most necessary legilstaion
Length of process ensures effective scrutiny- aca 15 months- standing comms

Ensures compromise- bipartisan and reaching across the aisle- fentynyl crisis, agri food and jobs act 2013- 2.4bn

Requirement supermajority- cloture motioon, broad compromise eg comm stage beteween two houses reconcilled

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8
Q

Congress effective no legilstaion

A

1/4 laws 15yth congress rename public buildings
Each year 6,000 bills proposed 200 passed - 90% pigenoholed at comm stage
Hosue rules comm- bills can be rushed or killed wiht 2:1 majority
When unified does work- coronavirus preparedness and response appp act- 2020- 8.3 bn

Compromise no- increased partisanship- 90% vte party lines
Gridlock- wall, 35 days 2018-19
comm signif power
Process domiantes few- such as speaker who can choose who on house rules comm whilst those in standing
Supermaority means that diff to stop filibuster- gun control legislation 2013 after sandy hook, r 2021 on voting rights legilstaion
Ineffective system with reconcilliation

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9
Q

Representation- congress effective

A

Minority rights- improved women 29% 25% senate, aa caucus

Parties increased partisanship with clear policies and agendas

State rep- regular elections, pork barrel politics- king of pork app comm murtha- 800 mill to his pennsylvania district 1992-2010
2008 gravina island bride to nowhehre 9000people
Big dig highway project

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10
Q

Gravina island brigde

A

Brigde to nowehere 2008
223 mill for 9000 citizens
During presidential camapign

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11
Q

Big dig highway project

A

3.5mile highway underground, cost 5x plan, 20y

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12
Q

No representation congress effective

A

Rep much lower pop women 50.8%, hispanic 10.7%, 18;5%, 13 lgb

Incereasing appartisan good rep party at expense others
Gerrymander solidfiy- n carolina on race lines
Kaanugh all r for, all but one d against
Lack compromise lead to gridlock or liquidated build back better pan

Pork barrell politics bad, lobbying more chamber of commerce 100 mill, pharam 100 lonnysts on 2009 health reform act

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13
Q

Oversight congress effective at its role - theorists

A

Mann and ornstien congress broken branch, loa- no to check president
Jones- modern president effectively contrsained by sops
Sen miluski- on the influence of money, you pay you play

Veto power of the pruse legislation

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14
Q

Oversight congress effective- veto no

A

President can veto- bush and obama 12 x
All trump 10 vetos after lost house majority 2018
Overrule needs- 2/3 both houses. Depends suypport house- not achieved biden 2023 2019-200 overturn investment rule that allows management of retiremet funds to consider impact of climate change otehr environ factors- yet r in senate said liberal agenda

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15
Q

Veto- yes effective overiegsit congress

A

75% overrule legislation not passed
President can eto but overrule
Trump nat defence authorisation act 2020 over 80 senators overrule
Obama a funal veto of justice against sponsors of terrorism act suffered bipartisan defeat
Only senate majority 97-1 w reid against
House 348-77

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16
Q

Power of the purse- congress effectiev oversight

A

Approporations clause article 1- wit hout conrgssional law money cannot be allocated for ded party
Us trump mexico demanded 25bn in app bill 2018 19 gov shutdown 35 days
1.5trn inc 13.6bn to yrjriane consolidation app act 2022 passed with only hours to deadline
Opp obana exec order- app act 2003- blocked funds for transfer of detainees when trying to shut down guantanimo bay

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17
Q

Power of the purse oversight- congress no

A

Tip o neil all politics is locak
Prok barrel personal rather oversight gain
Dept defence ap act 2014
120 milla lllocated for tank upgrades that us army didnt want because appealing across congressional distctricts that military making

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18
Q

Legislation oversight effective congress

A

Ira necessary and wanted- lobby 187 mil pharama inc blue cross
President cant rpopose bill must go through congressperson- ira sponsor huch schumer and joe manchin
Infrastructure investment and jobs act 2021- passed relatively quiclly jun to nov 2021- 2280205 house

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19
Q

Legislation oversight not effective

A

Inflation reduction act personal political gain - 200,000 jobs created, green energy 2030 energy fall 505 carbon and cap insulin at $35
President pass brady tax bill 2017 benefit businessmen inc trump 35 to 21% corpp tac

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20
Q

Committe congres sgood oversight

A

2014 us compaound benghazi using high profile incriminated hilary clinton
Subpoena monica lewinsky watergate scandal
Senate commerce and judicial committee q mark zuckerberg 2018 facebook role in cambridge analytica

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21
Q

House of reps structure

A

Incumbency rate 95%
435 members
219 r 213 d
2 y terms

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22
Q

Senate structure

A

100 members 2 per state
6y terms- 1/3 every 2y
48 d 49 r 3 independent

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23
Q

Speaker of the house

A

Mike johnson

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24
Q

House majority leader

A

Steve scalise

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25
Q

Hoouse minority leader

A

Mike lynon

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26
Q

President of senat

A

Kemala harris

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27
Q

President pro tempore

A

Patty murray- d
Serve in capacity of senate when vp is absent

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28
Q

Senate majority leader

A

Chuck schumer

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29
Q

Senate minority leader

A

Mitch mcconnel

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30
Q

Representation

A

All politics is local- tip o neill
Prom barell politics
Demographics
Divisions and party rep
Conngressonal caucauses

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31
Q

Divisions and party rep

A

Mccarthy oustsed house speaker- first time- republican revolt lead by matt gatez- congressperson from florida who rebelled after sepeajer struck a deal with democrts to avert gov shutdown
216-210 roll call
202- 7 incumbent house members defeated- most in year without redistrictning since 1974
Cantor lost r party 2014- leaders vote in house- tea party member

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32
Q

Congressional caucauses

A

Womens caucaus- crossparty, advance rights women over party ideology
Stelel caucaus- helped put pressure for 25% tarrif o foriegn stell imports
Black caucaus set up a war room to defent hudge kentaji brown jackson afetr nomination

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33
Q

Theorists on cogress

A

Meezy
Mann and ornstein
Loomis
Tip o neil
Sen mikulski
Fukuyama
Rep dingell
Sen reid

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34
Q

Meezy

A

Proactive v reactive legislative theory
Congress v parliament

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35
Q

Mann and ornstein

A

Congress is a broken branch
Failing to carry out constitutional duty to check presidential power after 911

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36
Q

Loomis

A

The barriers to passing legislation are substantial

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37
Q

Tip o neil

A

All politics is local

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38
Q

Sen mikulski

A

Influence money on congress
You pay you play

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39
Q

Fukuyama on congress

A

Senate acts as vetocracy where one member or minoirty can block majority

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40
Q

Rep dingell

A

House the institute does not work, has got partisan beyond belief

41
Q

Sen reid on congress

A

The right to earmark is a constutional duty

42
Q

Exclusive house powers

A

Start all financial bills
Elect the president of ec cannot reach a majority0 not used since 1824

43
Q

Exclusive senate powers

A

Exec and joint appt
Hold trial impeachemnt
Condusct com investigatio in exec
Filibuster in debates
Impeachment of exec/judicial officials
Ratify treaties

44
Q

Joint powers

A

Approve legislation
Confirm a newly appt vp if incumbent dies or resigns x2 1973 qnd 74
Declare war, not used since 1941
Introduce constitutional ammenment- 2/3 majority required
Override presidental veto 2/3 majroity needed

45
Q

Powers of congress

A

Create legislation
Override president beto
Commerce clause
Supremacy clause
Necessary and proper clause

46
Q

Commerce clause

A

When it becomes regulatory pwoer between sates
Marajuana intra not inter state as then illegal fed law

47
Q

Supremacy clause

A

When fed law trumps state law
A safeguard in emergency 911

48
Q

Necessary and proper clause

A

Congress has the power to do whatever is necessary in an emergency

49
Q

Create legislation

A

Congress can block ammedne ofr reject legislation proposed by president
Biden build back bettr plan
Recovery plan passed quikkly but other two parts held up in congress

50
Q

Why is passig legislation diff

A

Complicated process
Amount of legilsation prooposed
Use of majoirty
Equal role for both chambers
Divided government
Growing partisanship
Influence of lobbyists and special interests
Resistent to changee
Presidential influence
Threat of filibuster

51
Q

Diff pass legsilsation complicated process

A

Many hurdels within each stage
Diff chanbers diff in procedures that can disrupt legislative process
Ammendments can be easily tabled and adopted- multiple versions of bill exicst and reconciliated porcess harder
2021 nat defence authorization bill- had an ammendment propose to force all unclasified defence reps to be published by pentagon- not intended to pass

52
Q

Amouunt of legislation proposed makes challlenging

A

Since 2001- 6000 bills introduced per year- 200 passed
Many bills pigenoholed dont make out of comm- approx 90%
Sheer volume hard to progress as much as suggested

53
Q

Decentralised power- pass legilsation diff

A

Party leaders do hold power- spekaer majority minoirty leaders- but with reforms 70s and 90s with powerful few (becoming) the powerful many
Reforms to power balance bwteen comm and party leadership has meant that to succeed in pasisng legilsation, informal coalitions need to be formed across party lines
Eg republican senator ted cruz and left leaning democrat conrgessman ocasio-cortez 2019 to co sponsor a bill, prevent former elected officla sfrom immediately beocming lobbyists after leavung office

54
Q

Use of majoritiets pass legislation diff

A

Absolute majority msut be achieved to pass slegislatinon
To overrcoem filibuster 3/5 senators bac cloture motion
Veto override 2/3
Vp breaks tie in senate
Tiie in house failed

55
Q

Equal role for both chambers diff pass legislation

A

Constution sets out clealry that both house and senate should agree to a bill on ewual terms, all stages inc override veto
Yet each chamebr produce diff bill which must then be reconciled

56
Q

Growing partisanship

A

1950s to 70s party unity for congressional voting- 30-60% last 20y 90%
Centrists disappear rhino blue dog
Republcians more con d more lib

57
Q

Congress resistent to chaneg

A

Storng con trad in usa, for preservation of trad values and long held values
Blue dog d
Many things not suited american life- nhs

58
Q

Presidenfial influence pass legilsatin diff

A

President cannot propose bills but can influence the process
Elected with promise of particular legilsative agenda- obama healthcare, trump immigration
Bully pulpit and state sto infleucne- obama able to push for adoption for americca recovery and reinvestment act 2009 in response credit crunch recession
Threat of veto lead to unfavourable pass bills being altered

59
Q

Threat of filibuster

A

Single vote of dissentt in senate couuld railroad entire bill
Cruz sep 2013 spoke more 21 h inc readng dr suess book green egggs and ham needed cloture motion
Ant i obamacare

60
Q

Standing comm

A

Permentaant comm relating to specific policy eg budget veterans judges
Members become policy specialists
Reflects party balance in chamber

61
Q

Appropriations comm

A

Gov spending

62
Q

Sub comm

A

More specific topics in particular policu areas
Eg homeland security com on counter terrorisn

63
Q

House rules comm

A

Type of standing comm but does not handle a policy area
Schedules and timetables
Can schedule so bill not enough time
Senate doesnt have one instead unanimous consent agreement

64
Q

Discharge petitions

A

Force bills to be released to a floor debate
But do need majority house to sign
2005 2002 pac spending bipartisan reform act passed 2400 to 189 votes

65
Q

Select comm

A

Temproary (in uk perment) add hoc comm
2014 us compound in beghazi libya high profile and proved damaging hilary clinton sec of state at tiewatergate com- issue subpoena for monica lewisnky

66
Q

Joint comm

A

Inc members both chambers, topics exit for procusdure or permemnt- econ liberty ptax

67
Q

Conference comm

A

Increasingly rare
Used to reconcile diff in house and senate bils

68
Q

Why are comm important

A

Most permebr and policy specialists- standing esp, house members typically serve on noly one com make specialist, senate 2-3 so more genaralist
Legislative and financial bills
Power of subpoena- force witnesses to testify before congress and can scrutinise exec, june 2020 senate judiciary committee has authorised subpoenars to fbi relating to investigation into alleged ruussian influence in 2016 presidential elections
Well resourced- mroe than uk, reforms 1970s and 80s cut no comm and their powers but still hold majority important
On access point - iron triange exec congress ig

69
Q

What makes comm important

A

Circumstanc- timing or issue, senate commercial and judicial comm q mrark zuckerbeg in 2018 on facebook role in cambridge analytica date mining controersy
Have presitge- approporations spending- prok barrel
Influence- iron trinage- approporateions act, murtha chair iking of pork for pensylvaiinan distictr ?$600 mill 1992-2010 chair
Diff types comm some more powerful than others- standing comm permenant
Role of chamber- senat ecomm confirmation hearing and considered apporach to legilstaion- unanimous consent agrees v house rules bill
House committee tighter tiemframes and greater orle in budget

70
Q

Pork barrel politics

A

2008 gravina island brigde to nowhere
Dpt defence app act- 2014 fiscal year budget more than 120 mill allocated for tank upgrades us army didnt even want- supporters of tank oeprations in over serveral congressinal disrticts
2010 citizens against gov waster pg identified over 9000 examples- montana state uni 740,000 awarded for research into weed use for sheep graxie
Big dig highway project

71
Q

Challenging negotiations and idvision legislation

A

Aca negotiations mdoerate d and con nebrasca d nelson negotaite compromise on abortion give states right to provide coverage of abortion- 60-39 senate end debate
After passed r introudced legislation to repeal it
Wall st refomr and consumer protection act 2010 used after 2008 crash- house 2009 223-202 senate 59 to 39 took 7 tries

72
Q

The cares act

A

2020
150 bn covid relif fund
300bn one time cash apyout
House agreed comproomise in senate
Yet bill later cuased gridlock
House of rep first approve 359 v 53
Senate 91 v7
Longest bill history

73
Q

Personal gain of president throgh legilstaion

A

Trump tax reform
Single corp tax rate at 21 benfit himself as wealthy business owner
No ohuse d supporetr- 12 r oppose- in lib areas ny

74
Q

Bipartisan support for bill

A

Iran nuclear agreement review 2013- congres spower to review agreements nade in preventing iran from developing a nuclear weapons programme- senate 98-1 house 400 25
Space act 2015 legalised comercial space exploration enable spacex- unanimous consent senate
Introdueced by kevin mccarthy
Sexual assualt suirvivors act 2016 rights for survivors of rape and other forms sexual assault

75
Q

Veto override

A

2008 farm bill
100bn for dpt agriculture
Then increase 288bn budget
Gwb veto billl due to size
Yet veto overriden

76
Q

Loophole in legislation to pass

A

768.2bn over 10y
2012 farm bill
Faild pass house so added to america taxpayer relief act 2012 and then passed

77
Q

Rational comparative theories for conbgress- diff

A

Adction of mps and congress viewed through what is best for them with us pork barrel uk party loyalty whips
Unelected natire hol comp elected nature senate diff outcomes with freedom senate block hoc can ignroe

78
Q

Rational similiarties uk usa

A

Defeat may weaken position politicains- action leaders on impact eg may 28 defeats, bdien build back better plan wateered down
Both legilsatures springboard future carreer climb greasy pole- lobbyists or cabinet

79
Q

Cultural similarities

A

Actions of individ guded ideolgy by party belif- r anti abortion con low tax
Factuions within party and acucaus vvote across party lines - us esp moral and social issues- abortion with rino with d
Lower houses more adversarial more cultural convention housw business ocnducted appear
Growing expectations- rep of pop

80
Q

Cultural differences

A

unelected lords less party obedience than sena-crossbench jonathan sacks

81
Q

Structural

A

Process that guide legilsative output both houses fixed and rigid
Ability oversee work of gov storongly affected by structural checks on president can achiee more than parliament dominated by ruling party
Plitical processes limit 3rd party fptp

82
Q

Presidential poll rating impact conrgess

A

Congress can exert more power when npoll low
Obama pass obama care 2010 with 50% opop yet trump more challenging wth just 40^%

83
Q

Ekection cycle impact congress

A

When gear up to mideterm
Members pelade ditsricts not president esp if president unpop

84
Q

National events impact on congrss

A

Congress acts with deference hands over power look for direction frm preisdent usa patriot act 911

85
Q

Suggestions for reform on cngress

A

Reform or abolish filibuster
Biennial rather than annual budget
Introduce term limits linits members congress

86
Q

Similarities uk and usa congress

A

Lower house in both legilsatures cnortol tax and approve money gov policies
Creation of legilsation and legilsative porcess ismilar- majority domm us rules comm execbbc and debates
Cb seen
Range of rep= lobbying party people
Power over foriegn polciy- weak
Both legilsatirs ablie to initiate constitutional change- ammendments process or siginif laws such as cra
Prevalent 2 party system help enable oversight but also deepned partisanship

87
Q

Diff uk usa

A

Both houses of congress directly elected by pulic uk hol unelected and unaccountable
No sops president propose through congress pm can propose
Party unity i nuk relatievly high, whips- us systen priaries prevent whips enforce strict party disicuplien
Power money more in usa- more access points
Speaker hoc apolitical , leadership conrgess tried party politics
Palriament osveign constitutional in us

88
Q

House of reps strength

A

2 term yr accountablity
Reps smaller area and pop to senate
Powr of initiate over tax and app bills
Effectively has the power to decide on what matter an officla can be impeached
2 party system limits mmpact 3rd party

89
Q

Weakness hosue of reps

A

Power conc in hands of speaker, comm chairs and house rules comm
Partisan politics means for bills passed each session 2.9%
Frequent electiosn mean a focus on st change excesive influence of lobbyists
Relatively poor rep of women and minority group= women 29% 50.8
Hispanic 10 to 18

90
Q

Hoc strnegths

A

Dominance by the majoirty party and fused powrs, pass legilsation quicker
Speaker indepndent ref
5y elections ive house the power to effect real change
Use of parliament act and sailsbury convention

91
Q

Weaknesses hoc

A

Elective dictstaorship and limitation effective cb
Possible for poor legilstaion to be rushed from the house
Storng whips make only limited opp even increasing backbench rebellions rarely sucessful
2 party ssetm whilst infleuntail of 3rd parties

92
Q

Senate strneghts

A

Lt allowers officlas to focus on good polucy and enacts change
Unique powers to ratify treaty and appt— greater oversight of exec- kavanaugh
Unanimous cnosent unkimited debate reuslt un weaer party control
Power of every state needed

93
Q

Weakness senate

A

Unanimous consent undue ifnleucen
Can onlu ratify or reject treties and appt pu to it, not create on own
Ie paris climate agreement
Use filibuster challenging 2013 72 h sandy hook reform guns
Overvalue states and sixe not proportional

94
Q

Hol strengths

A

Unelectied, focus lt into uk, immigration opooose
Alows for experinece to be inc n policy making rather than career politicians- lord winston ivf chair sicne an tech comm
Uenelecte dmore freedom change wlll of poeple
Posisble to nominate range of people to lords ncrease rep minority groups- women baroness own youngest member at age 30 and appt 2023

95
Q

Hol weaknesses

A

Lack legit unelected natire
Power usurped power acts and sialsbiry cnovention- defeat rwanda at2nd reading
Large sixe of lowds too much
Challennge to hoc - immigrants child protection 2023

96
Q

Represent ideology of constituency

A

Aoc- v left wing in new york

97
Q

Revolving door exaple

A

House majority leader cantor 2014 once lost 2014 primary race becmae lobbyist

98
Q

Money recieved personally from lonnying

A

Kevin mccarthy 450k range of lobbyists

6-Politics- Paper 3- USA (16 decks)

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