US LEGISLATIVE

Question 1

Who are state legislatures?

Answer 1

They are elected representatives from each state who create state legislation.

Question 2

What is the structure of Congress.

Answer 2

House of representatives(435) and also the senate (100)

Question 3

What is the role of congress?

Answer 3

-Legislate
-Representative
-overseeing the executive.

Question 4

How are seats allocated in congress HOR?

Answer 4

Seats in the House of Representatives were allocated according to the population size of each state, but each state received two seats in the Senate, regardless of its size. California, the most populous state in the USA today, has almost 40 million inhabitants and 53 congress(wo)men in the House,

Question 5

What are the powers of congress

Answer 5

Legislative powers= can propose legislation where both houses have to approve it and then president signs it into law.

Overriding a presidential veto=2/3 majority in each house.

Ratify treaties=only senate can do this. 2/3 majority in the senate.

Declare war= Both houses must vote for a declaration of war.
This power has not been used since 1941.

Confirm presidential appointments= senate judiciary committee.

Question 6

What is the legislative process of Congress?

Answer 6

Introduction

Committee stage

Timetabling

Floor debate and vote

Conference committee

Presidential confirmation

Question 7

Does Congress perform its legislative function effectively?

Answer 7

Yes because it can overturn presidential Vetoe

Yes has power of the purse and can control presidential spending as seen by gridlocks.

Yes has passed transformative legislation

Question 8

Is the Senate the more important chamber?

Answer 8

Exclusive powers=Advice and consent powers – informal too (Miers and
Garland, and Tanden)
-Ratification of foreign treaties e.g. June 2023 – double
-taxation agreement with Chile
-Election of VP
-Conviction for impeachment

Prestige=44/100 in 118th Congress served in the House previously

Platform=Higher national profile and hence launchpad to presidency – Nixon,
Obama and Biden

Intentions of the Founding Fathers:
James Madison “necessary fence” against “fickleness and passion“
“We pour our legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool it.” Washington