Congress

Question 1

State 3 arguments to say that Senate membership is more prestigious and desired than House membership

Answer 1

1. A lot of house members seek election the Senate, never the other way round
2. Senators have to be older (35 y/o) and serve 6 year terms
3. Their exclusive powers can be seen as more prestigious than powers of the house, such as ratifying treaties and confirming presidential appointments

Question 2

State 3 arguments to argue that the Senate and the House of Representatives are equal in power (clue - joint powers)

Answer 2

Any 3:

1. Bills have to pass successfully through all stages of the legislative process in BOTH houses
2. Both houses are required to initiate constitutional amendments
3. Conference committees involve members from both houses, and then both houses must vote to agree with what the conference committee has come proposed in terms of a final bill
4. To override a presidential veto, a 2/3’s majority is required in both houses

Question 3

State 3 arguments to argue why the House Rules committee is significant in Congress

Answer 3

1. It prioritises the most important bills, giving them quicker passage to the House floor
2. It deals with taking bills from the committee stage to the second reading
3. It timetables bills for consideration on the floor of the house

Question 4

Talk through the legislative process from start to end in Congress, give a fact about each stage

Answer 4

1. First Reading: - no debate, no vote, just a formal introduction of the bill
2. Committee Stage: - Committees have full power of amendment, lots of bills are simply pigeon-holed and hearings occur with witnesses
3. 2nd and 3rd Reading: - The houses debate the bills, make amendments and votes are taken on amendments. The Senate can filibuster bills and a simple majority is needed in both houses to pass the bill
4. Conference Committees: - Temporary committees set up to condense the two versions of the same bill into one, iron out any differences - before the bill is sent to the President

Question 5

State 3 arguments to say the Committee stage is the most important stage in the legislative process

Answer 5

Any 3:

1. It is as far as most bills get
2. Committee members are policy specialists
3. Committees have full power of amendment
4. Committees really do have life and death power over bills