Evaluate The View That Congress Fulfils Its Legislative Function Effectively.(30)

Question 1

Para 1 - The Legislative Process
- Against: Complexity And Multiple Veto Points Lead To Legislative Failure

Answer 1

A bill must be signed into a law by the President contributing to high
rate of legislative failure, when the policy agendas of
Congress and the Executive are rarely aligned.
– (Example): Obama vetoed 12 bills, whilst Trump vetoed 10 bills, including the Iran War Powers
Resolution which would’ve limited the President’s authority to use military force against Iran
without congressional approval.

Question 2

Para 1 - The Legislative Process
- For: Multiple Veto Points And Committees Ensure Effective Legislative Scrutiny

Answer 2

Majority of laws Congress passes are important and Congress comes together quickly to pass significant, necessary pieces of legislation in times of Crisis
– (Example): (the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2.2 trillion
economic stimulus law in response to COVID-19, was passed under divided government in
March 2020, quickly responding to the spread of COVID and giving vital financial support to
American families.)

Question 3

Paragraph Two ➡️ Congress’ Legislative Function Under Divided
Government
- Against: Partisanship Leads To Gridlock Under Divided Government

Answer 3

• Congress doesn’t fulfil its legislative function effectively under divided
  government, as rather than forcing the parties to work together and compromise, it leads to
  gridlock and the failure to pass important pieces of legislation on key issues.
  –(Example): Under the Obama administration, Congress failed to pass the DREAM ACT, which would
  have provided a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the
  United States as children.
  – Consistently blocked under a divided government in congress, leaving millions at risk of deportation.
  -

Question 4

Paragraph Two ➡️ Congress’ Legislative Function Under Divided
Government
- For: Congress Is Effective At Passing Bipartisan Legislation

Answer 4

– (Example): In April 2024, Congress passed a $95B foreign aid package to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan -
the National Security Act 2024. This was despite major disagreements in the Republican
Party. - Despite Trump opposition, it was still backed into legislation, cooperating with Democrats

Question 5

Paragraph Three ➡️ Congress’ Legislative Function Under Unified
Government
- Against: Filibuster Impedes Passage Of Legislation

Answer 5

• Congress doesn’t fulfil its legislative function effectively even under
  unified government, as the filibuster allows a minority in the Senate to block important pieces of
  legislation. (when a Senator continues to talk in a debate on the floor of the House in
  order to delay and prevent a vote taking place.)
  – (Example): 60 votes needed to end fillbuster to pass bill -
  -In 2021, the House of Representatives passed the For The People Act, which aimed to
  overhaul election laws, enhance voting rights and reform campaign finance. It was blocked
  in the Senate however, as voting was strictly along party lines, with the 50 Democrats
  voting for and 50 Republicans voting against. Would’ve went through but not 60 votes.

Question 6

Paragraph Three ➡️ Congress’ Legislative Function Under Unified
Government
- For: Increased Party Voting Results In Legislative Success

Answer 6

– (Example): Budget reconcilliation is a legislative process originally intended to allow Congress to quickly adjust spending to align with budget resolution, which bypasses the Senate fillbuster, bill can pass with simple majority of 51 votes instead of 60 to close debate