pork barrel legislation + war powers act Flashcards
What is the background of pork barrel legilsation?
refers to spending which benefits the constituents of a politician in return for their support for him through votes and campaign contributions.
significant examples often include- public works projects, national defence spending projects, agricultural subsidies.
How can we identify pork barrel bills?
requested by only one chamber of congress, not specifically authorised, not competitively awarded as company likely has financial relationship w person requesting it, greatly exceeds President’s budget, serves only a local or special interest
What are earmarks?
often pork barrel clauses are added into bills going through congress to gain support from individuals members of congress, “add-ons” are called earmarks
earmarks provide most benefit to those w spots on prime congressional committees.
Explain case study 1- the “Bid dig”?
plan to relocate existing 3.5 mile section of interstate highway system underground.
costed 14.6 billion. Tip O’Neil, after whom one of big dig tunnels was named, pushed to have Bd Dig funded by federal govt while he was speaker of US states house of representatives
Explain case study 2- “The bridge to nowhere”
proposed by Republican senator Ted Stevens (chair of transportation committee) would have cost 398 million and would connect islands 50 residents and Ketchikan international airport to Revillagigedo island and Ketchikan.
x authorised because of backlash when Obama and McCain raised it as unjust in 08 presidential campaign.
What is the backlash of pork barrel legislations?
pork barrel spending peaked in 2006 w about 14,000 projects receiving about $30 billion
08 presidential election raised public awareness and anger
2010, congress put a moratorium (ban) on the practice of earmarking.
What was the war powers act passed in response to?
response to investigation into Watergate and gulf of Tonkin incident,
congress’s “blank cheque” to Lyndon Johnson over Vietnam
Nixon’s secret bombing campaigns against Laos and Cambodia
What is the war powers act 1973?
president must notify congress w-in 48 hrs of committing armed forces to military action
forces can only remain deployed for 60 days, after day 60, president must have gained congressional approval or declaration of war to keep troops, if approval x granted pres has further 30 days to organise withdrawals of troops
What are the alleged presidential violations of the War Powers act?
Clinton (1992-2000)- Somalia, Bosnia etc
George W Bush (2000-2008)- Iraq, Afghanistan etc
Obama (2008-2016)- Libya, Syria etc
Trump (2016-2020)-Yemen, Iran etc
What is the controversy surrounding the war powers act?
all presidents since 73 have said its unconstitutional, congress claim right under “necessary and proper” clause#
presidents claim it interferes w their constitutional power as “commander in chief”
does it breach separation of powers?
congress have never challenged presidential breach of this act through supreme court
