The US Congress- legislative process

Question 1

presidential action

Answer 1

• signing a bill
• leaving the bill on their desk
• regular veto
• pocket veto

Question 2

leaving the bill on their desk

presidential action

Answer 2

this would make the bill become a law after 10 days with no signature

Question 3

what is a pocket veto

presidential action

Answer 3

when a bill is awaiting presidential action when the bill ends, this is a pocket veto and cannot be overridden by congress

Question 4

strengths of the legislative process

Answer 4

• only 2-3% of all bills have been signed into law, meaning it is a success as it is supposed to be challenging
• however, could be argued that the passing of bills is too difficult

Question 5

oversight

Answer 5

congressional review of the executive (checks and balances)

Question 6

party control

factors affecting the relationship between congress and the presidency

Answer 6

in a divided government, Senate have imposed more rejections on presidential nominations, e.g:
- democratic state in 1987 rejected republican ronald Rhegans nomination of Robert Bork

in a united government, less rejections occur from the senate, e.g:
- there were 135 oversight hearings during Bill Clintons divided gov, whereas only 37 during Bushs united party

Question 7

party polarisation

factors affecting the relationship between congress and the presidency

Answer 7

CARES Act 2020 shows bipartisanship

Question 8

is congress effective at carrying out its roles as outlined in the constitution?

4 cases for : legislation

Answer 8

• major legislation has been passed, like Obamacare
• low pass rate means only necessary legislation becomes law
• need for supermajorities means there is a lot of agreement
• congress can reject legislation that is proposed by the executive, which is an important check on the president

Question 9

is congress effective at carrying out its roles as outlined in the constitution?

3 cases against: legislation

Answer 9

• not enough major legislation is passed, only 2-3% of bills become law compared to it being 6-7% in the 1980s
• united government can pass legislation without suitable scruitiny, but in a divided government, gridlock can prevent legislation passing
• presidential vetoes are rarely overturned since a supermajority is required

Question 10

is congress effective at carrying out its roles as outlined in the constitution?

3 cases for: representation

Answer 10

• representation of minority groups has dramatically increased
• people represented in two places, Senate and HoR
• caucuses allow under-represented groups to gain more influence

Question 11

is congress effective at carrying out its roles as outlined in the constitution?

1 case against: representation

Answer 11

• represenatation of women and minority groups are below the proportion of the national population

Question 12

is congress effective at carrying out its roles as outlined in the constitution?

1 case against: representation

Answer 12

• representation of women and minority groups are below the proportion of the popularity

Question 13

is congress effective at carrying out its roles as outlined in the constitution?

3 cases for: oversight

Answer 13

• congress has repeatedly voted to override the presidential veto
• in times of a divided government, the president will face extensive scruitiny
• congress use the power of the purse to check presidential powers and limit their role as commander in chief

Question 14

is congress effective at carrying out its roles as outlined in the constitution?

2 cases against: oversight

Answer 14

• veto requires a supermajority
• in times of a united government, the president is more powerful than congress