Oversight Flashcards
What is the definition of oversight?
The ability of one branch of govt to scrutinise the work of another
Why does congress have supremacy when it comes to oversight?
Due to them being the largest elected body and being directly elected by the people so it is assumed they should hold a large degree of oversight powers
What factors affect the relationship between congress and the president?
Party control, polarisation v bipartisanship, the area of policy oversight is taking place on, election cycle, approval ratings, national events
How does party control affect the relationship between the president and congress?
Depending on who is in charge of congress, if they are controlled by the same party, then oversight will be less stringent
How does polarisation and bipartisanship affect the relationship between the president and congress?
Parties may see it as their civic duty to criticise the prsident if they are of the opposing party
How does the difference in policy area affect oversight between congress and the president?
Easier for congress to have oversight over domestic policy rather than foreign policy
How does the election cycle affect congressional oversight?
Candidates that are recently elected are more likely to be critical than those who are nearing re-election time and dont want to make any statements that are too judgemental and therefore cost them their seat
How do approval ratings?national events affect congressional oversight?
If a president is popular due to an event or something they have done, then it will congress look bad if they criticise them at that time
What examples are there of voting against laws supported by the president being used as a form of oversight?
March 2017, Congress voted against Trumps american healthcare act (repeal Obamacare), Obama was restricted by amendment to his budget policies
What examples are there of funding on presidential projects being used as a form of oversight?
Congress cut funding to Clinton in 1995 for the bosnian military confict
What are the roles of congressional committees?
Conduct oversight in their areas of policy expertise, investigaet departments and hold hearings for executive members
What is the role of the comittee on oversight and reform?
Sole role of scrutinising the executive e.g., 2016 investigated Clinton’s use of private email for work as secretary of state
When can temporary comittees be created, example?
To provide oversight into a certain crisis, comittee created to investigate the death of ambassador to libya in benghazi in 2014
What does ‘imperial presidency’ mean?
Where the president is dominant and checks an balances on them are ineffective
How can presidents avoid congressional oversight?
Through the use of executive orders
