Scrutiny US Flashcards
Congressional Select Committees
Congress can scrutinise the Executive and government through its committees. Committees have a wide range of powers to call witnesses and see papers. They can get experts to give advice and attend meeting like the UK.
Senate Committees
Have the ability to effectively scrutinise the executive as all appointees ie to supreme court or to cabinet have to be approved by a senate committee. This enables the committee to pass judgement of the suitability of the nominee. eg almost 20% of supreme court nominations have been rejected in the past.
Congressional Standing Committees
After a bill is introduced it is sent to the committee to be considered. This gives the committee effective powers of scrutiny as most bills are changed significantly in the US before they are sent back to the house. In the US they have more power at the legislative process as they can kill a bill. eg congressional committees examine the details of over 6000 bills in a two year period.
