Power of Congress Flashcards
what is the power of congress determined by?
how they interact with other branches of govt
how is congress powerful in DP?
has sole power to pass legislation
where does power to pass legislation derive from?
article 1, section 1 of consti
give an example of Congress passing legislation?
- march 2010, pass affordable care act
- led to millions more people having healthcare
- 60-39 senate
- 219-212 reps
how does power of passing legislation make Congress powerful?
- can pass landmark legislation which majority affects the country
- pres can merely sign it off
what power does Pres have to counter congress in DP?
veto
where does power of veto derive from?
article 1, section 7 of consti
how many vetoes did Clinton use?
36 at success rate of 94%
how does veto show congress as weak?
pres can enable change and control Congress in times of divided govt
how many vetoes did Clinton and Obama use?
12
what can pres use veto to do?
get compromises with Congress - limiting their power
why is congress reluctant to force a veto?
- if there is perception that electorate feels they are risking national interest for local interests
- congress on ‘permanent election’ so need to retain public support
what power does Congress have to counter veto?
veto override
what is required for veto override?
2/3 super majority in both houses
give an example of a veto override?
- 9/11 victims bill - allowed families of victims of 9/11 to sue Saudi Arabia
- vetoed by Obama but overridden by Congress
when is veto most often used? why?
- second term
- due to inevitable dividd govt
- pres loses control
what power does Congress have in FP?
power to declare war - last used in WW2
what is used today instead of power to declare war?
AUMF
when was AUMF last used?
2003 for Iraq War
how does AUMF show Congress as powerful in FP?
- can use it to counter pres in FP
- requires Pres to compromise
what power does pres use in FP?
CinC
where does CinC derive from?
article II, section II of consti
give an example of pres bypassing congress in FP?
trump launched air strikes on Syria in April 2011 targeting Syrian chemical weapons sites
who does CinC show congress is weak in FP?
he launched a major military attack without even consulting Congress
