Congress - Functions - Legislation

Question 1

Legislative function - process

Answer 1

Introduction - No debate or vote
Committee - Hearing and vote, can be pigeon holed
Timetabling - Dominated by the majority leader
Second reading and vote - Simple majority. In senate Filibuster possible
Third reading and vote - Simple majority. In senate Filibuster possible
Conference committee - Reconcile differences between House and Senate versions
Presidential action - Sign, leave or veto. ⅔ in both houses vetoes his veto.

Question 2

Strengths - Congress Legeslation

Answer 2

Article 1 Vests all legislative powers of constitution in congress
High level of scrutiny - via three readings
Protects states rights - Its state representatives voting
Prevents tyranny of the majority - ? it doesn’t
Bipartisanship is required

Question 3

Weaknesses - Congress Legislation

Answer 3

Incredibly slow - Of 11K bills, 3% of legislation passed in trump’s congress
Lack of bipartisanship leads to gridlock
Congress often focus on re election rather than legislation
Overcrowded - Legislative labyrinth

Question 4

Policy significance

Answer 4

• Much legislation passed is trivial - Renaming statues and granting medals
• Moments of bipartisanship - BCRA 2002, No child left behind 2002, Biden 2021 Infrastructure
• Took two years to pass Obama’s healthcare reform