Legislative Branch - 20 Marker

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

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 2

Question Time - Point

Answer 2

Legislatures of UK political system can scrutinise government actions through Question Time

Question 3

Question Time - Explain

Answer 3

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 4

Question Time - Example

Answer 4

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 5

Question Time - Analysis

Answer 5

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 6

Question Time - Rebuttal Point

Answer 6

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 7

Question Time - Rebuttal Example

Answer 7

Congress held hearings on Trump admin policy to detain illegal immigrants & investigated conditions they were held in

Question 8

Question Time - Rebuttal Analysis

Answer 8

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 9

Question Time - Conclusion

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Select Committees - Point

Answer 10

In UK legislatures effectively scrutinise actions of government through select committees

Question 11

Select Committees - Explain

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Select Committees - Example

Answer 12

Home Affairs committee heard from Home Secretary that UK gov has failed to control borders

Question 13

Select Committees - Analysis

Answer 13

Clear implications of select committees as they can successfully uncover issues & address them

Question 14

Select Committees - Rebuttal Point

Answer 14

US have congressional committees

Question 15

Select Committees - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Select Committees - Rebuttal Example

Answer 16

Senators questioned Amy Coney Barret after death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2020 making sure she was capable of upholding constitution

Question 17

Select Committees - Rebuttal Analysis

Answer 17

Clear differences in level of power committees have in UK compared to US

Committees in US are very effective in holding executive to account

Question 18

House of Lords - Point

Answer 18

UK said to be effective at parliamentary scrutiny through the House of Lords

Question 19

House of Lords - Explain

Answer 19

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

Question 20

House of Lords - Example

Answer 20

Lords are experts in specific area like technology

Means laws written by commons benefit from someone working in the field

Question 21

House of Lords - Analysis

Answer 21

Successes how scrutinising in HOL works as experts from areas able to have their say in laws

Question 22

House of Lords - Rebuttal Point

Answer 22

US scrutinise through senate approval

Question 23

House of Lords - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 23

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

Question 24

House of Lords - Rebuttal Example

Answer 24

2018 Mike Pompeo replaced Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State on that basis

Question 25

House of Lords - Rebuttal Analysis

Answer 25

US more effective in scrutiny due to having more power & replacing members of Congress

Question 26

Overall Conclusion

Answer 26

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