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The US Congress - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Trump issued over 220 in first term (banning citizens from Muslim majority countries from entering the US)
      - Obama issued 276 in 2 terms
      - Biden signed 162 (during COVID, overturning Trumps transgender military ban and Mexico border wall)
      - However not binding, not legislation and may not even happen (eg closing of Guantanamo Bay)
    - - Has not had to declare was since 1941 on Japan
      - Nixon was conducting wars that Congress wasn't even aware of
      - Congress attempted to re-assert with the 1973 War Powers Act
      - Act involved that if the President take unilateral action they must inform Congress within 48 hours but don't need approval until over 90 days
      - 2007 Democrat Congress tried to pass a bill to end Bush's approved war in Ira but they couldn't override his veto
      - Trump thought he could inform Congress of airstrikes through Twitter in January 2020
      - 2011 Obama authorised airstrikes against Libya without informing Congress for 2 days
    - - 52/53 Republicans voted for Amy Coney Barrett and only 7 Senators voted for Trumps impeachment
      - Nationalisation of Party Campaigns (Trump issued threats for those who stood against him)
      - Political Polarisation (no middle-ground for scrutiny)
      - October 2023 Kevin McCarthy was Republican Speaker of the House and he came to compromises with the Democrats during a shutdown and then the Republican Freedom Caucus manoeuvred to vote him out (first time ever this has happened)
- - - - Both bi-cameral
      - Both represent constiuents
      - Both have democratic elements
    - - Senate represents federal system, 2 per state whereas nothing like this exists in the UK as it isn't federal
      - Role of the House of Lords which has less power, reflects the culture and history and isn't elected which has no equivalent in the US
      - Role of the King in the UK doesn't exist in the US, he signs off laws in the UK
  - - - Both have various stages where you can amend laws - 3 reading in the UK and both have committees
      - Both have it is so when the PM or President have majorities they find it easier to pass legislation
      - Legislation has to pass through both houses to become law
      - Can reflect wishes of the constituents (Private Members Bills in the UK)
    - - House of Lords can only delay powers but houses have equal power in the US
      - Power of the executive is stronger in the UK as they lead legislation agenda but can only be suggested in the US in the State of Union Adress
      - 30-40% of bills pass in the UK compared to 2-4% in the US
  - - - In the case of national events Congress and Parliament give up role of oversight and look to PM/President
      - Both the PM and the President usually inform Congress/Parliament when taking military action
      - Work of committees
      - Can reject laws
    - - Separation of powers in the US but fusion of powers in the UK so survival of government in the UK relies on maintaining support
      - Congress has power to declare war but done by Monarch (PM) in the UK
      - Power over the executive in the UK is less than in the US
  - - - Both are more representative of the nation but don't reflect current population
      - Members represent both their party and their constituency in elections
      - Both have wings of each party
      - All politicians have to make delegate and trustee decision
- - - - Delegate model - I have been elected by the people so must listen to them to respond to their wishes
      - Trustee model - I have been elected by the people and are accountable to them. I will use my own expertise to make judgements for their best interests (most members)
  - - - Prevalent at the moment due to party polarisation
      - Party unity voters which is a vote in Congress where its mainly one party voting against the other
      - Party unity voting often occurs when the issue is a contentious, idealogical matter
      - The parties have few 'sticks' or 'carrots' to encourage party voting
    - - A collection of members of either party elected to Congress or an association of members to advance a particular interest
      - They perform organisational functions and regular meetings to formulate strategy
      - 3 major functions which are educational, agenda setting and encouraging support
      - There are 4 party caucuses (One for each party in each house) but these aren't fixed
      - The Blue Dog Coalition (mainly southern House Democrats) which gives voice to conservative, moderate centrist Democrats helping when it comes to welfare reforms
      - Eg the Congressional Black Caucus and the Tuesday Group
    - - Members of the executive branch
      - Cabinet members who have keen interest in the passage of legislation affecting their policy areas
      - They keep in contact with members of Congress ro ensure they will vote in certain ways
      - 2010 Nancy Pelosi was House Speaker so played a key role in ensuring there was enough votes from the Blue Dog Coalition to pass Obama's healthcare Reform
      - Persuasion need to be regular, reciprocal and bipartisan
    - - They make direct contact with members
      - Money raised is used to fund politicians who support their cause
      - More interest group activity amongst the more politically active
      - 2020 election cycle the financial sector donated over $75 million to candidates of both parties
      - Attempt to generate public support through visits, phone calls, providing evidence to committees, demonstrations, petition drives and engage in fundraising
    - - 12 Republican representatives voted against the Tax Cuts and Job Acts in 2017 who were mostly from more Democrat states so voted for constituents against new state tax cap
      - Members have many ways to engage with their constituents eg holding party meetings and making visits
      - Congress place a high premium on representing the interests of constituents
      - Some states have the 'locality rule' when a House member must reside in their congressional district
      - Typically Congress members would have grown up in their state/ district
      - An incumbent may have to win primary election to decide whether they can continue to represent their party in Congressional election
      - Democrat Joseph Crawley served 1999-2019 until he was defeated in the primary election by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
    - - Employed by interest groups to try and influence
      - Done by usually the provision of accurate, detailed, up to date information to those who need it (legislators and bureaucrats)
      - Often legislators only source of information
      - Sometimes they provide research that supports their cause (legislators often see through this)
      - Interest groups maintain office in Washington DC, State capitals etc in Washington this is called 'K Street Corridor)
      - Many argue they have more influence than constiuents