Legislative Branch - 20 Marker Flashcards
Intro
Legislatures of US & UK political system scrutinise actions of government. Legislatures check executive is implementing laws, reacting to situations & holding the government to account. Argued US legislatures more effective scrutinising government, this essay will discuss UK QT being ineffective as compelling members to hearing committees is more effective in US. Scrutiny in House of Lords not as effective as Senate approvale.
Question Time - Point
Legislatures of UK political system can scrutinise government actions through Question Time
Question Time - Explain
When MPs are given chance to question government & put PM under pressure
Begins with question regarding future engagements of PM & ends with a question of political relevance
Question Time - Example
18th January 2023 Keir Starmer questioned Rishi Sunak on NHS crisis, length of time waiting for an ambulance after 999 call with average wait time being 2.5 hours
Question Time - Analysis
Consequence of PMQ’s is highly ineffective & fails to be effective form of scrutiny due to time limits & would be more effective if all MP’s had chance to ask questions
Question Time - Rebuttal Point
However, in US, result of separation of powers, don’t have QT but admin officials can be questioned during Congressional Hearings
These are publicised
Members of executive branch compelled to answer questions under oath
Question Time - Rebuttal Example
Congress held hearings on Trump admin policy to detain illegal immigrants & investigated conditions they were held in
Question Time - Rebuttal Analysis
Clear similarities which US & UK scrutinise government such as UK having QT once a week whereas US has Congressional Hearings, where officials can be questioned, similar to UK’s QT
Question Time - Conclusion
Large extent, US more effective in gov scrutiny due to additional resources such as staff members supporting enquiries whereas UK limited in effectiveness due to time constraints
Select Committees - Point
In UK legislatures effectively scrutinise actions of government through select committees
Select Committees - Explain
Job of select committee is holding executive to account
Write reports, gather evidence & have power to call experts to explain actions
Don’t have the power to force parliament members to attend
Select Committees - Example
Home Affairs committee heard from Home Secretary that UK gov has failed to control borders
Select Committees - Analysis
Clear implications of select committees as they can successfully uncover issues & address them
Select Committees - Rebuttal Point
US have congressional committees
Select Committees - Rebuttal Explain
Congressional Standing Committees are permanent
Members chosen based on interests & will remain with their committee through each congress
Chair each Standing Committee controls are among most powerful in Congress
Select Committees - Rebuttal Example
Senators questioned Amy Coney Barret after death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2020 making sure she was capable of upholding constitution
Select Committees - Rebuttal Analysis
Clear differences in level of power committees have in UK compared to US
Committees in US are very effective in holding executive to account
House of Lords - Point
UK said to be effective at parliamentary scrutiny through the House of Lords
House of Lords - Explain
Second chamber or upper house
Plays important part in law-making process
Gives Lords power to force commons & government to reconsider aspects of the bill
House of Lords - Example
Lords are experts in specific area like technology
Means laws written by commons benefit from someone working in the field
House of Lords - Analysis
Successes how scrutinising in HOL works as experts from areas able to have their say in laws
House of Lords - Rebuttal Point
US scrutinise through senate approval
House of Lords - Rebuttal Explain
Senate has 2 roles in process of appointing personnel to Executive & Judicial jobs
Senate approval needed for appointments, 15 Cabinet posts & all Federal judges
Senate can hold confirmation hearings questioning potential appointee
House of Lords - Rebuttal Example
2018 Mike Pompeo replaced Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State on that basis
House of Lords - Rebuttal Analysis
US more effective in scrutiny due to having more power & replacing members of Congress
Overall Conclusion
Executive scrutinised more effectively by UK legislature than US to a large extent
UK there’s limited opportunities for scrutiny whereas US system of checks & separation of powers ensures one key role of Congress is to effectively scrutinise executive
UK, PM can depend on party loyalty & for MPs to ‘toe the line’, whereas US president doesn’t have this control due to separation of powers
US politicians are more independent & less likely to be influenced by party loyalty than in the UK
Disparity between UK & US in relation to issues like budgets meaning congressional committees are considered more effective when scrutinising executive
