2.4 Congress and the Executive

Oversight Congressional review of the activities of an executive agency, department or office

Methods of Congressional oversight Setting guidelines for new agencies Holding hearings and conducting investigations Using budget control (power of the purse) Reorganizing an agency Evaluating an agency’s programs

Special Senate Oversight Confirming cabinet heads and presidential appointments to all federal courts

Foreign Policy and the division of power Congress has the power to declare war Senate has the power to ratify treaties President is commander in chief, and has the power to wage war The president has the power to negotiate treaties

The War Powers Resolution Passed 1973 in response to presidential actions in the Vietnam War Troops had been committed in the are for approx. 20 years with no declaration from Congress, sought or given. War Powers resolution was an attempt to control presidential decisions in regards to committing military forces

The War Powers Resolution President must notify congress with in 48 hours of deploying troops over seas Must bring troops home within 60 days, may be extended to 90 days, unless congress extends the time with legislation or a declaration of war Has not been effective why?

Fact Question Which of the following Committees of the House of Representatives sets the conditions for debate and amendment of most legislation? (A) Ways and Means (B) Appropriations (C) Judiciary (D) Rules (E) Government Operations

Applied Question The Constitution says that Congress has the power to coin money. This is an example of (A) Enumerated powers. (B) Implied powers. (C) Reserved powers. (D) Concurrent powers. (E) Exclusive powers.

Potential for conflict Cabinet Members Ambassadors White House Staff

Longest Lasting Influence Conflict with Congressional Agenda Policy initiatives Executive orders

Comparison Question A major difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that (A) filibusters are available only in the House (B) revenue bills must originate in the Senate (C) judicial nominations originate in a House committee (D) each state has equal representation in the House but not in the Senate (D) There is unlimited debate in the Senate but not in the House

Essay Question Congress is organized in such a way that its leaders have important roles. A. Describe how the speaker of the House is selected and describe that position’s power. B. Discuss how the president of the senate is selected and describe that position’s power. C. Explain how the powers of the two positions reflect the differences in the two houses of Congress.

*****Divided Government***** What is divided government???? What might the result of a divided government be for the country?? Partisan votes against presidential initiatives Congressional refusal to confirm appointments of lame duck presidents