Congress
Structure of Congress
House of representatives
Powers
Power of the purse
To bring charges of impeachment
Choose president if the electoral college is in deadlock
Senate
Powers
ratify treaties
confirm appointments
try cases of impeachment
choose the Vice President if the electoral college is in deadlock.
They can both create legislation, override the presidents Vito, propose constitutional amendments, confirm a new vice-president.
435 members, Two year terms, Must be at least 25.
Between 2019-20 44.5% where either women, African American and Hispanic.
100 members, Six year terms, Must be at least 30.
Between 2019-20 33.3% where either women, African American and Hispanic.
Election Cycle
Congressional elections take place every two years in November. 1/3 of senators will be on the ballot along with the whole of the House.
The Functions of Congress
Speaker- elected by whatever party has a majority.
Majority whip- count votes and make people vote in line with the party.
Midterms
Occur in the middle of a preidentbl term and only 3 presidents have ever gained seats in the house (Bush in 2002)
Trump lost seats in 2018 due to trying to repeal Obamacare.
Gerrymandering
The political manipulation of electoral district boundaries with the intent of creating an unfair advantage.
Operation REDMAP in 2010 aimed to keep and win more states for the republicans.
Incumbency: current holder of a political office.
In 2018 91% of the HoR where incumbents and 84% of the Senate where.
This can be due to name recognition, the financial advantage that congress gives (pays for campaign) and pork barrel legislation.
Legislative function
Strengths
Weaknesses
Checks and balances prevent tyranny, forcing compromise between different interests. In this sense the US creates a pluralist democracy in which power is shared.
Policy Significance
Freedmom Act 2015 (passed)- restored and modified several provisions of the patriot act which had expired
Obama care 2010 (passed)- expanded medical programme, make affordable health care.
Dream act (not passed) tried to help immigrants get work, never made it through either house
2015-2017 only 3% of bills introduced reached the president to ratify.
Oversight