Congress and Oversight

Question 1

What is oversight?

Answer 1

• Congressional review and investigation of the activities of the executive branch of government

Question 2

What oversight powers do Congress have?

Answer 2

• Standing committee hearings
• Subpoena powers (documents and testimony)
• To hold individuals in contempt if they fail to comply with Congress’s demands for information
• To make it illegal to lie to Congress

Question 3

Is Congressional oversight effective?

Answer 3

• Oversight helps to keep an administration on its toes; the lack of oversight, and the expectation of none, can lead to complacency and arrogance
• It has limited ability to quickly reverse the course set upon by a determined president
• If one party controls both the executive and Congress, oversight is typically barely used
• Congress’s declining reputation means that its chances are lessened as acting as a effective check on the executive branch

Question 4

Name an example of Congress attempting to impeach a member of the executive

Answer 4

• The attempted impeachment of Bill Clinton in 1998

Question 5

Name an example of Congress investigating the actions of the executive branch (hint: 2016 election)

Answer 5

• Congress investigating the 2016 election and whether the Trump administration colluded with Russia to give them an advantage in the election.
• However, in the end the investigation found no hard evidence to suggest there was any collusion.

Question 6

Name an example of Congress influencing foreign policy

Answer 6

• Congress passing legislation imposing sanctions on countries such as Russia, North Korea and Iran.