CONGRESS - Essay Plans; oversight Flashcards
1a) CONGRESS IS EFFECTIVE IN OVERSIGHT
Executive power
They can vote on presidential proposals, vote against laws supported by the president, amend laws supported by the president, determine the funding for projects, and propose legislation.
They can overturn a presidential veto – in 2016, Obama issued his 12th veto against the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, a bill which would allow 9/11 families to sue the Saudi Arabian government. This veto was overturned 97-1 in the Senate, and 348-77 in the House.
1b) CONGRESS IS INEFFECTIVE IN OVERSIGHT
Executive power
Overturning a presidential veto is difficult to achieve because it requires 2/3s in both chambers.
In 2019, March – House Democrats failed to overturn Trump’s veto measure to repeal his emergency declaration on the southern border because it failed to meet the 2/3s threshold.
(Congress passed a joint resolution to terminate the national emergency, established by the Act passed by Trump in Feb 2019, which ordered the diversion of billions of dollars of funds that had been appropriated to the U.S Department of Defence for military construction. Trump vetoed the joint resolution, and Congress was unable to overturn this veto)
2a) CONGRESS IS EFFECTIVE IN OVERSIGHT
United Govt
Unified Republican government under Bush 2003-2007 led people to question the oversight following the build-up of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
2003 and in 2004, the Senate Armed Services Committee held NO hearings on combat operations in Afghanistan and only 9 in Iraq.
Between 2007-2009, Bush faced a Senate and House Majority. There were 100 oversight hearings on Iraq alone.
2b) CONGRESS IS INEFFECTIVE IN OVERSIGHT
Partisanship
Brett Kavanaugh secured the S.C nomination - there was protests during this process, from the public gallery.
The yearbook was leaked by the Democrats this is an example of lack of neutrality in the UK.
It was a POLITICAL SPEECH!
Lindsey Graham ‘If you wanted an FBI investigation, you should have come to us… what you want to do is… hold this seat open and hope you win in 2020’
3a) CONGRESS IS EFFECTIVE IN OVERSIGHT
Approval
Low presidential approval rating:
Bush had extremely high ratings following 9/11 – 90% approval rating in 2001.
In 2005, a Gallop poll indicated he only had an approval rating of 35% in relation to social security reform and so he failed passing any social security reform.
Trump’s approval ratings were so low – lowest since any president since WWII which made it easier for Congress to defy Trump e.g., Nancy Pelosi ripping up his State of Union Address in Feb 2020 outlines this fractured relationship.
3b) CONGRESS IS INEFFECTIVE IN OVERSIGHT
Approval
July 2020, Gallup Poll – Trump had faced an impeachment trial, covid pandemic still existed, mass protests following the death of George Floyd etc. He had a popularity rating of 41%.
Congress’ approval rating AT THE SAME TIME, was 18%.
Americans view congress as self-seeking.
