Congress: Broken Branch

Question 1

what are the 3 functions of congress?

Answer 1

legislation, scrutiny and representation

Question 2

who does congress legislate on behalf of?

Answer 2

president, party and constituents

Question 3

how may bills become legislation? what does this suggest?

Answer 3

• only 2% bills become legislation

- suggest Congress is unable to legislate to keep up with rapidly evolving society of America

Question 4

why can not much hope be put in Congress for times of crisis?

Answer 4

shows itself to be an organisation that values partisanship and individualism over legally protecting Americans

Question 5

what has the issue of gun control showed about congress?

Answer 5

deep divisions at heart of congress

Question 6

what did Sandy Hook lead to?

Answer 6

• led to many in congress, along with calls for pres, to pursue reform
• but no legislation could be passed

Question 7

how can failure to produce anti-gun legislation be seen as a good thing?

Answer 7

• showed congress as a strong tech in preventing knee-jerk legislation
• respect the due process a bill ought to go through so that weak bills are not passed solely down to societal pressure

Question 8

what bill did trump fail to pass?

Answer 8

proposed ban on abortions post 20 weeks not passed by republican controlled congress

Question 9

what does strict scrutiny of congress mean?

Answer 9

only bills passed are one that are worth implementation

Question 10

what suggests legislation is broken?

Answer 10

pork barrel politics

Question 11

why are congressmen closely linked to state?

Answer 11

due to 10th amendment and short election cycle

Question 12

what does pork barrel politics show?

Answer 12

congressmen manipulating system for their own gain

Question 13

give an example of pork barrel politics?

Answer 13

don young, got $400m for ‘bridge to nowhere’ in Alaska

Question 14

how has increasing involvement of PGs improved congress?

Answer 14

made legislating stronger

Question 15

why does involvement of PGs make legislating stronger?

Answer 15

• in age where politicians require ‘style over substance’ to gain office, IG can provide valuable expertise
• IG allow for faster enactment of stronger laws

Question 16

how do IG help representation?

Answer 16

ensure minorities view are taken into account, when 75% white congress cannot functionally represent them

Question 17

what has led to increase in PACs and money in politics?

Answer 17

citizens united v FEC

Question 18

what did Max Baucus do?

Answer 18

-due to $4m donation of Pharma, he only allowed his funders to attend healthcare associated meetings

Question 19

what does increasing money in politics mean for govt?

Answer 19

govt caters for few rather than many

Question 20

how did average senate seat cost in 2018 mid-terms? what does this show?

Answer 20

$25m shows it is pay to win

Question 21

how much did NRA give to McCain?

Answer 21

$7m

Question 22

what did article 1, section 1 state?

Answer 22

all power resides in executive

Question 23

why does exec need congress?

Answer 23

to carry out electoral mandate

Question 24

how long was 2019 shutdown?

Answer 24

35 days

Question 25

what led to 2019 shutdown?

Answer 25

• democratically controlled reps refused to fund Trump’s border wall
• not enabling constitutional power of exec

Question 26

why did FF design a govt with C+B?

Answer 26

so congress could exert power of exec

Question 27

why do congress not support trump?

Answer 27

• most unpopular pres in history
• lowest approval ratings after 1yr and 2yrs
• would be defying public trust

Question 28

why is it important congress reflects America?

Answer 28

so that they can govern and legislate for everyone

Question 29

what % of congress is white?

Answer 29

75% over-representation of 15%

Question 30

what % of congress are women?

Answer 30

24%

Question 31

what kind of policy is becoming more prevalent?

Answer 31

• racial policy

- e.g. muslim ban and repeal fo DACA/DAPA

Question 32

how many women in house?

Answer 32

102