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Summary USA Congress Essay Plans
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Essay plans for USA Congress. I have achieved an A* in Politics which these essay plans played a huge part in.
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Congress:1. Evaluate the view that Congress is successful at its function of representation.
AGREE DISAGREE
Use of pork Barrell politics- help the constituents so that they
Spends taxpayers’ money and ends up placing the USA into
re-elect members in the next election. Arts programme in
immense debt rather than helping. Sometimes it is
Washington DC 2018- the sum of $2.8 billion (about $9 per
unnecessary such as Alaska’s bridge to nowhere. Members
person in the US) was allocated for the National Capital Arts
use money for the sake of their own seat.
and Cultural affairs grant programme.
This is not done for representation of the people; they simply
Incumbents are more likely to have a fundraising advantage.
want to show how popular they are. Voters act in response to
Senator incumbents raised 7 times more as their challengers
the appeal of individual candidates rather than their main
during the 2018 election cycle
cause.
The gerrymandering issue means that the structure of
Gerrymandering is redrawn every 10 years which means that
congress is not representative, it is biased. In the 2020
it balances out. This allows many incumbents to be reelected
congressional elections, the democrats saw majority of voters
and represent their constituents to their best of their abilities-
support their candidates in North Carolina, yet republicans
by using links they know.
won the seat.
Representation of minority groups has increased dramatically
Women are still not yet represented accurately in congress.
in the 21st century.
24% of congress members are women compared to 50.8% of
Black Americans in congress: 10.4%
the USA.
Black Americans in USA: 50.8%
2. Evaluate the extent to which Congressional checks on the Executive and Judiciary are effective.
AGREE DISAGREE
Congress can perform checks on members of the executive. Can lead to slight abuse of power
September 2012- 7 congressional committees held hearings arguable that checks made on Hilary Clinton for the Benghazi
on the events that had happened and the way that Obama attacks were the Republican party attempting to squander
and the secretary of state Hilary Clinton had handled it (15hr her attempt to run as a presidential candidate for the
testimony) Democrats. Effective by the ends and not means
Less effective if a united government/party majority in favour
Power of impeachment
of president.
Congress has power to impeach presidents.
Trump 2020 only 1 Republican voted him for conviction on 1
Bill Clinton 1999, Donald Trump x2, involving both houses in
out of 2 charges of abuse of power (incitement of an
process
insurrection)
Can amend, block, or reject legislation that is proposed by Dependent on government (divided or united). Republican
the president. congress who are more likely to reject legislation made by a
Heavily amended Obama's healthcare reform bill, blocked Democratic president, especially when the bills in question
every single gun reform bill as well as immigration reform. ideologically against Republican views.
3. Evaluate the extent to which political parties are the largest factor affecting voting behaviour within Congress.
AGREE DISAGREE
Party labels do not mean that candidates consistently vote
Party affiliation is a huge factor in voting behaviour as
with their party. Conservative democrats like Jim Cooper of
American politics is very partisan. When an issue is an
Tennessee vote with Republicans while Senator Susan
ideological matter, many take different viewpoints on civil
Collins of Maine votes with Democrats despite being
liberties, taxation, gun control, abortion, or school prayer.
republican.
Both parties have moved further away from the ideological
center since the early 1970s. Democrats have become more Constituencies are the largest factor affecting voting
liberal while Republicans have become conservatives. The behaviour. Congresspeople must be residents of the state
Federal Information Systems Safeguard Act 2016- they live in, they must face an election every 2 years.
Republicans voted yes while Democrats voted no.
, Pressure groups play a huge role in affecting voting Pressure groups are the largest factor affecting voting
behaviour however, they are also partisan in the sense that behaviour. In the 2020 election, the financial sector donated
their views align with either the Democrats or the over $75million to candidates of both parties. When
Republicans. Anti-abortion clinics usually have the support of representatives are voting on issues, they are mindful of what
Republicans. Susan b anthony list pressure groups would think.
4. Evaluate the extent to which the legislative process in Congress is successful and effective.
AGREE DISAGREE
Only 2-3% of all bills become law which shows how the The legislative process is flawed and weak as it is so
legislative process is a success- quality over quantity. challenging that at times the passage of legislation is difficult.
Rise of partisanship means both parties find it difficult to
Timetabling in the Senate ensures bills are agreed upon
cooperate and passing legislation is difficult. House rules
through unanimous consent agreements. This means the
committee decide on whether the bill makes it to the floor:
senate leadership will agree on which bills make it to the
open, modified, and closed rules. 56% are debated as closed
floor.
bills
Presidential action occurs at the last stage to ensure both
Presidential action can cause a bill to be “left on the desk”
Houses of Congresses have a say in what occurs-
this means that it would become law after 10 days (about 1
representation of the people. The president can sign the bill
and a half weeks) anyway. However, if congress were to stop
or veto it. when it is vetoed, it is sent back to congress and
before this 10-day period, the bill dies (pocket veto).
need 2/3 majority vote to put bill into law.
The separation of powers and electoral cycle ensure
United government can see legislation passed without much
compromise in the creation of legislation. Major legislation is
scrutiny while in a divided government, gridlock prevents
most likely to be passed during periods of unified
legislation from passing.
government: Tax and Jobs act 2017.
5. Evaluate the extent to which the most important work of Congress takes place within the chambers, not the
committees.
AGREE DISAGREE
The importance of congressional committees is clearly
During the second reading, the bills are discussed and
demonstrated by an examination of the legislative process.
debated. In the senate, filibustering occurs which means that
Thousands of bills are proposed each year but only around 2-
senators try to delay an action or a bill by debating about it
3% are successful. Congressional committees are
for an extended period time. In 1957, Thurmond conducted a
responsible for this as they “pigeonhole” a bill which means it
filibuster against a civil rights bill which lasted 24 hours.
dies or can be amended.
Congressional committees play a key role in the oversight of
Congressional committees have made the legislative process
the executive and help Congress fulfil its scrutiny. Standing
more difficult. Nixon and Watergate scandal- congressional
committees are permanent and investigate policy areas. The
reforms have led to more sub-committees. This makes power
house recently voted for a special committee on the attack on
distribute widely.
the US embassy in Libya 2012.
Congress is fragmented as people vote to please the “folk President Wilson said, “Congress in session is Congress on
back home” and want donors for election campaigns to show, Congress in committee is Congress at work.”
ensure they have the best chance of winning. Committees play a greater role. Congressional committees
Two-thirds majorities are needed in the senate for treaties check the executive. Senate committees help to ratify
and simple majorities in both chambers to approve appointments like Senate Judicial Committee recommending
legislation. the appointments of Kagan and Sotomayor.
6. Evaluate the extent to which Congress is effective in its role of oversight.
AGREE DISAGREE
Committees regularly oversee investigations of the executive Oversight is increasingly party political rather than in interests
branch which have far-reaching impact. The senate also of good policy. This is true of committee investigations, party-
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