The Constitution - Divided Government

Question 1

What is divided government

Answer 1

When one party controls the presidency and the other controls congress

Question 2

Arguments that divided government is more effective

Answer 2

1. Bills and treaties are scrutinised more closely

2. Legislation, nominations and budgets aren’t nodded through without scrutiny

Question 3

Example that bills and treaties are scrutinised more under divided govt.

Answer 3

In 2015, Obama struck a deal with Republicans on the budget, moderately increasing spending

Question 4

Example that under united government, legislation, nominations and budgets get nodded through without scrutiny

Answer 4

Congress has only overridden a veto of a president of its own party twice in the last 50 years

Question 5

Arguments that divided government is not more effective

Answer 5

1. Senate has not rejected a treaty made by its own party since 1935
2. The confirmation process of federal judges has become overly politicised
3. Congress has carried out political attacks on presidents of the opposite party

Question 6

Example of the Senate not rejecting a treaty of its own party

Answer 6

In 1964, Johnson persuaded a Congress with Democrat majorities to pass the Tonkin Gulf Resolution

Question 7

Example of the confirmation process being overly politicised

Answer 7

In 1987 the Democrat-controlled Senate rejected the appointment of Robert Bork to the SC, an outstanding scholar