Congressional Powers American Government

Power Congressional oversight- This is ability to require executive agencies to submit reports on their activities to review those agencies budgets to direct their support agencies to monitor the executive branch. Congressional oversight is NOT the same thing as checks and balances

Non-Legislative Powers Electoral duties- Congress may elect a president, but only if a candidate does not receive a majority of electoral votes (This has happened twice in American history: Thomas Jefferson and John Quincy Adams) This president is determined by a simple majority in the House of Representatives (each state gets one vote) They must also choose a VP if no candidate wins a majority of the electoral votes The vice president would be determined by a simple majority in the Senate

Non-Legislative Powers Impeachment- Impeachment is to accuse, bring charges, based upon treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors. To initiate an impeachment trial it requires a majority vote in the House. The trial is held in the Senate and requires a two-thirds for conviction. There have been 17 impeachments and only 7 convictions

Checks and Balances Congress has these checks and balance powers: Congress can make laws, create agencies and programs, and appropriate funds to carry out laws and programs. They can also override a presidential veto with 2/3 vote (known as a legislative veto), they may remove the president through impeachment The Senate approves treaties and presidential appointments Sometimes the President will make what is called a recess appointment A recess appointment is when someone takes the position of appointment and then must be approved by the end of the next Congressional session in order to keep their job

Resolutions Joint Resolution- Concurrent Resolution- A joint resolution is a proposal for some action that has the force of law when passed Joint resolutions usually deal with special circumstances or temporary matters. Concurrent Resolution- A concurrent resolution is a statement of position on an issue, adopted by the House and Senate acting jointly A concurrent resolution does not have the force of law and it does not require the presidents signature

Resolutions Resolution- Continuing Resolution- A resolution is a measure dealing with some matter in one house of Congress A resolution does not have the force of law and it does not require the President’s signature Continuing Resolution- A continuing resolution is a type of appropriations legislation that sets aside money for specific federal government departments agencies, and programs Rather than pass a full fledged budget, our country has largely been funded through continuing resolutions over the past decade