Congress - Poor At Oversight Flashcards
What does the annual budget process attempt to curb?
Spending plans of the executive but these attempts at sequester (cutting spending) have been spasmodic (irregular)
What plan did Congress agree with Trump (despite having a track record of ensuring . . .)?
Who did it effect and what did it lead to?
Congress agreed to Trump’s plans for a radical tax cuts for wealthy and a significant increase in spending, despite Congress’ record of trying to ensure fiscal balance.
Who did Congress have limited oversight of?
- Limited oversight of G.W. Bush and a tendency to defer to the executive branch after 9/11
Between what years did Congress have limited oversight over what department?
No significant oversight over the newly created Department for Homeland Security between 2001 and 2004
Congress act’s like a… compared to a… in what situation? Give an example?
When does oversight fail and is replaced with? Give an example
Congress acts as a ‘lapdog’ rather than a ‘watchdog’ when it is of the same party as the President (very little oversight during G.W. Bush’s first 6 years in office).
But when it of an opposing party to the President then oversight is replaced with political point-scoring and attempts to embarrass the White House (See Bengazi Committee and Hillary Clinton testimony)
Presidents can pass executive agreements an example is . . .
Did the example executive agreement override a potential disapproval from Congress?
Presidents can pass executive agreements – Joint Comprehensive Plan to Action between Obama and Iran, overriding Congress’ potential disapproval.
Can Congress impeach justices?
Congress can impeach justices – SC justice last example Samuel Chase in 1804 but more recently Thomas Porteous was impeached in 2010 (district judge). He was successfully impeached and removed from the bench.
Is the War Power Act limited?
War Powers Act has had limited successful in preventing the President from military endeavours. Trump ordered airstrike on General Soleimani without alerting Congress, except by Twitter!
