Congress Flashcards
(32 cards)
‘Party influence over the workings of congress have declined’ HFDYA?
-Declined: legislation
-Not declined: legislation
-Declined: oversight
-Not declined: oversight
Which rule leads to tyranny of the majority in legislating?
Hastert Rule; ‘majority of the majority’. Means minority party is less able to bring bills up for a vote.
What has more influence on legislation than parties?
Pressure groups; large influence due to citizens united, meaning they have more sway over what is debated.
Evidence of pressure group influence over legislation?
-U.S Chamber of Commerce donations of $82 million to candidates may explain staunch pro-business stance.
-AIPAC funding candidates got did of 2 members of the ‘squad’ in primary races 2024.
-AARP pensions.
-NRA guns.
Evidence of parties hindering legislation?
-Big Beautiful Bill 2025 struggling to get support of the Freedom Caucus.
-AHCA not supported by key Tea Party conservatives like Rand Paul.
What can party members be part of to influence legislation?
Legislative process committees; alter content of bills through full power of amendment.
Evidence of an influential committee?
House Rules Committee- influence over how legislation will be debated and voted on.
What rule gives majority parties large influence over legislation?
Hastert rule.
How can parties exert influence over legislation?
Party factions can vote against the rest of their party; Freedom Caucus refusing support for the Big Beautiful Bill.
When are parties most effective at oversight? How?
Divided government; blocking bills
Evidence of congress blocking laws during divided government?
-Trump’s law
-Obama raising debt ceiling
Evidence of congress blocking appointments during divided government?
Merrick Garland
Evidence of congress blocking investigations during divided government?
Stopped investigation into Trump once GOP won the house, and began an investigation into Hunter Biden.
Which other factors limit parties’ oversight power?
Iron triangles.
Strength of president (Trump EOs)
In which areas are parties’ roles in oversight limited?
Fiscal conservatives against budget- including high spending.
‘Congress is less effective when different parties control its two chambers’ HFDYA
-Yes- legislation
-No- legislation
-Yes- oversight
-No- oversight
What positive is there in difficulty in legislating?
Representative; if GOP win house and block a president’s law arguably this reflects the will of the people.
Evidence of bipartisanship in divided government?
Following crises: Covid relief packages; creation of 9/11 commission.
Same sex marriage Obama 2015
Evidence of over-productivity being an issue?
AUMF; Patriot Act; all with single party control.
What becomes arguably more effective in times of divided government?
Oversight; too compliant and too obstructive when not.
Evidence of oversight: shutdowns?
35 day shutdown (longest in US history) under Trump; no funding for wall.
Evidence of inadequate oversight?
House voted to impeach Clinton and Trump 2x; both acquitted by senate.
Evidence of oversight being politicised?
Merrick Garland and ACB
‘Congress’ role in oversight is now more significant than its legislative role’ HFDYA
-Legislative role significant
-Legislative role insignificant
-Oversight role significant
-Oversight role insignificant
