The Executive - Legislative Success

Question 1

Over his 8 years, Obama signed just _____ bills into law - less than…

Answer 1

1,227

One-term Presidents Carter and George H. W. Bush

Question 2

Which Congresses worst on record

Answer 2

112th and 113th

Question 3

Example of Obama success in Congress

Answer 3

Economic Stimulus Package 2009

Affordable Care Act 2010

Question 4

Failures of Obama in Congress

Answer 4

Signed few bills
2015-17 lame duck presidency
His achievements didn’t involve Congress - e.g. Nuclear deal with Iran

Question 5

Successes of Trump in Congress

Answer 5

Gorsuch appointment (54-45)
Major tax reform legislation passed by Congress in Dec, cutting taxes significantly

Question 6

Failures of Trump in Congress

Answer 6

First year characterised by inaction despite united govt.
2 senators (Jeff Flake) announced retirement after 2018 midterms.
Signed fewest no. of bills in first year since Eisenhower

Question 7

How many bills did Trump pass in his first year

Answer 7

96

Question 8

Example of Trump failure

Answer 8

Failed to repeal Obamacare (51-49 defeat in Senate)

Question 9

Example of Obama’s loss of secure under divided government

Answer 9

Had 96.7% support score in first year

Under divided govt. this dropped to 45.7% in final year

Question 10

Name 3 limitations of Presidential support scores

Answer 10

1. Does not measure importance of votes
2. Presidents can avoid low scores by not taking positions on certain votes
3. Does not include bills that fail to come to floor vote

Question 11

In 2011, how many votes did Obama announce his position on

Answer 11

184/1200

Question 12

Example of bill that fails to reach floor of either house

Answer 12

Flagship Healthcare Reform Bill 1994

Question 13

Who is described as the ‘chief legislator’

Answer 13

The President

Question 14

Reasons President struggles with Congress

Answer 14

1. Member of Congress tend to vote according to constituent’s views
2. President has limited patronage over members of Congress
3. Possibility of divided govt.
4. Increased partisanship

Question 15

Example of partisanship

Answer 15

Economic Stimulus Package 2009 - 0 Republican votes in House, 3 in Senate

Question 16

Two methods of Presidential persuasion

Answer 16

1. Use other people to persuade on his belief

2. Involve himself through ‘perks’ he can offer

Question 17

Ways of Congressional oversight

Answer 17

1. To subpoena documents and testimony
2. Hold individuals in contempt if they fail to comply with Congress’ demands for information
3. Makes it illegal to lie to Congress
4. Senate’s power of confirmation
5. Senate’s power to ratify treaties

Question 18

What influences the effectiveness of congressional oversight

Answer 18

1. Party control
2. Popularity of Congress
3. President’s popularity
4. National crisis

Question 19

How does party control influence the effectiveness of congressional oversight

Answer 19

Congressional oversight only really effective under divided govt.

Question 20

How does popularity of congress influence the effectiveness of congressional oversight

Answer 20

• Recent years, Congress’ public standing reached historic lows
• Less likely to be effective

Question 21

How does President’s popularity influence the effectiveness of congressional oversight

Answer 21

Easier to limit an unpopular President
Reagan - Difficult to limit
Clinton - Easier to limit

Question 22

Example of standing committee oversight hearings in 2016

Answer 22

The Senate Judiciary Committee investigated the need for a balanced budget amendment to the constitution

Question 23

How effectively has Trump been checked by Congress

Answer 23

1. Committees carrying out inquiries on Russian interference in 2016 Presidential election
2. Interference with Russia investigations - Bipartisan support
3. He’s unpopular (easier to check)