extent to which congressional oversight of the president is ineffective

Question 1

how is congressional oversight domestically too weak

Answer 1

veto power allows a president to overturn congress even if congress has been elected more recently

Question 2

what is an example of oversight domestically being to weak

Answer 2

for example Trump veto of congress opposition to his declaration of national emergency to build the wall.

Question 3

what is the analysis for oversight domestically being too weak

Answer 3

congress powers over the president are reactive, requires the president to act first (investigation/override). which can be slow and and avoided e.g pocket veto can’t be overridden. in times of unified government or crisis there is less scrutiny (patriot act) and a popular president can use bully pulpit + increasing use of executive orders

Question 4

what is the point domestic oversight is excessive

Answer 4

overly politicised and increased gridlock

Question 5

what are some examples of domestically oversight being overly obstructive

Answer 5

Supreme Court appointments of both Garland and Kavanaugh

Question 6

what is the analysis of oversight being overly obstructive

Answer 6

oversight is ineffective when the president cannot carry out duties that have been given to him such as Supreme Court appointments

Question 7

what is the evaluation that oversight being overly obstructive

Answer 7

this is arguably how the founding fathers intended it to be Supreme Court appointments need to be scrutinised

Question 8

what is the second point for oversight being domestically effective

Answer 8

restrictions on presidential power are seen as desirable, responsible and in line with the electorate, restrictions on Obama reflected polarisation in the US under Bush as popularity declined congress was willing to challenge policies

Question 9

what is the second example of oversight being effective

Answer 9

role in healthcare under Obama(ensuring moderate act) and ACHA(rejecting Trumps proposal) could be seen as effective legislative role. As well as SC appointments

Question 10

what is the second analysis for oversight being effective

Answer 10

this is shows the legislative branch carrying out effective oversight even executive orders are easily overturned gl

Question 11

what is the point that oversight is ineffective when it comes to foreign policy

Answer 11

seen as the weakest area for oversight/greatest scope for unchecked power

Question 12

examples of unchecked power in foreign policy

Answer 12

Obama-use of drones, bush passed use of force act

Question 13

analysis of foreign policy

Answer 13

shows that oversight of the president only works domestically and shows the true ineffective nature of oversight.

Question 14

evaluation of foreign policy

Answer 14

treaties are an example of congress being able to check the presidents power in foreign policy as the president needs congress approval. however executive agreements can circumvent this.

Question 15

what is the conclusion

Answer 15

arguably oversight is too weak in unified government and too strong in divided government.