Scrutiny Powers of Congress

Question 1

Standing Committees

Answer 1

> Standing committees may amend and indeed kill bills: only 5% of bills ever make it out of committee stage.

> It is rare a bill does not see at least one of these routes: both Obama and Bush Jr’s. Flagship policies of Obamacare and No Child Left Behind Act were able to pass the House without significant amendments made.

> Senate Committee have first hearing of appointments made to cabinet and federal judge positions, and as a result influence final Senate outcome: for example the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions approved Betsy DeVos’ nomination on a party-line vote, sending her nomination to the Senate floor DeVos was confirmed by the Senate by a 51–50 margin, with Vice President Mike Pence having to break the tie in favour of DeVos’s nomination.

Question 2

Select Committees

Answer 2

> In the US the select committees are ad hoc and investigate particular issues that no one standing committee could do so, and have a specific power or function in their task.

> For example, in 2012 the Benghazi Committee led by Trey Gowdy (R) questioned Hillary Clinton over her role in allowing for an oversight in security to develop in the defences at the Benghazi embassy which allowed for the terrorist attack to occur.

> The Select Committees have the power of subpoena; this means witnesses and papers called before the select committee are required to do so by law or will face a penal response.

> For example, Michael Brown as head of FEMA was requested to appear before the Hurricane Katrina select committee in 2005 over conduct in the handling of the Katrina disaster.

Question 3

Congressional Oversight

Answer 3

War Powers Act 1973
Case Act 1972
Budget and Impoundment Act (1974)

Question 4

Overturning vetoes

Answer 4

JASTA 2016

Question 5

Nomination process

Answer 5

For cabinet members or federal court judges:

> Harriet Miers 2005 Supreme Court nomination recieved harsh criticisms and was withdrawn

> Robert Bork 1987 Supreme Court nomination was rejected 42-58

Question 6

Impeachment Process

Answer 6

Bill Clinton 1998 was impeached on 2 accounts: obstruction of justice, perjury.