Congress: Broken Branch Flashcards
what are the 3 functions of congress?
legislation, scrutiny and representation
who does congress legislate on behalf of?
president, party and constituents
how may bills become legislation? what does this suggest?
- only 2% bills become legislation
- suggest Congress is unable to legislate to keep up with rapidly evolving society of America
why can not much hope be put in Congress for times of crisis?
shows itself to be an organisation that values partisanship and individualism over legally protecting Americans
what has the issue of gun control showed about congress?
deep divisions at heart of congress
what did Sandy Hook lead to?
- led to many in congress, along with calls for pres, to pursue reform
- but no legislation could be passed
how can failure to produce anti-gun legislation be seen as a good thing?
- 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
what bill did trump fail to pass?
proposed ban on abortions post 20 weeks not passed by republican controlled congress
what does strict scrutiny of congress mean?
only bills passed are one that are worth implementation
what suggests legislation is broken?
pork barrel politics
why are congressmen closely linked to state?
due to 10th amendment and short election cycle
what does pork barrel politics show?
congressmen manipulating system for their own gain
give an example of pork barrel politics?
don young, got $400m for ‘bridge to nowhere’ in Alaska
how has increasing involvement of PGs improved congress?
made legislating stronger
why does involvement of PGs make legislating stronger?
- in age where politicians require ‘style over substance’ to gain office, IG can provide valuable expertise
- IG allow for faster enactment of stronger laws
how do IG help representation?
ensure minorities view are taken into account, when 75% white congress cannot functionally represent them
what has led to increase in PACs and money in politics?
citizens united v FEC
what did Max Baucus do?
-due to $4m donation of Pharma, he only allowed his funders to attend healthcare associated meetings
what does increasing money in politics mean for govt?
govt caters for few rather than many
how did average senate seat cost in 2018 mid-terms? what does this show?
$25m shows it is pay to win
how much did NRA give to McCain?
$7m
what did article 1, section 1 state?
all power resides in executive
why does exec need congress?
to carry out electoral mandate
how long was 2019 shutdown?
35 days
