CONGRESS - oversight methods

Question 1

What are standing committees?

What oversight powers do they hold?

Answer 1

a permanent committee that meets regularly.

they can authorise federal funds, appropriate necessary funds, hold legislative hearings…

Question 2

EXAMPLE OF STANDING COMMITTEE

Answer 2

House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform

Question 3

What are subpoenas?

Answer 3

congress can issue subpoenas - these are formal written orders, which requires an individual to testify as a witness.

ignoring this can lead to accusations of contempt (obstructing a hearing etc)) - this is punishable by $100,000 and imprisonment.

Question 4

Does divided or unified government lead greater oversight?

Answer 4

DIVIDED - having a party hold majorities in both chambers means scrutiny is weakened severely:

unified Rep government under Bush 2003-2007 led people to question whether there was enough insight into Iraq and Afghanistan.

House Armed Services Committee held one hearing on Afghanistan and 18 in Iraq.

BUT, in the 2007-2009 congress, when Bush was faced with a Dem majority in both chambers, there were over 100 oversight hearings on Iraq alone in 2007 March.

Question 5

What are select committees?

What is the difference to standing committees?

Answer 5

select committees are created by a resolution to conduct investigations - they are not renewed on a permanent basis.

whilst standing committees review and modify bills, select committees conduct special investigations.

Question 6

EXAMPLE OF RECENT SELECT COMMITTEE HEARING

Answer 6

Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

March 2022 - the committee demanded info from witnesses who promoted unsupported claims of election fraud.

Question 7

EXAMPLE OF RECENT SELECT COMMITTEES

Answer 7

Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

March 2022 - the committee demanded info from witnesses who promoted unsupported claims of election fraud.