1. US Congress
The Legislative

2. Bicameral Structure
House of Representatives
Senate

3. Task
Using your copy of the Constitution outline the role of Congress and it’s powers and responsibilities
Are there any powers you think Congress has which is not in the Constitution?

4. Who or what is Congress?
According to the Constitution it is the First Branch of Government
A bicameral structure
Powers include
Passage of Legislation
Declarations of War
Ratification of treaties
Formulation of the annual budget
Consent to Presidential appointees

5. Where does it’s power come from?
Article I of the Constitution
Supreme Court rulings
Tensions between the different branches of Government
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary

6. Powers as National Legislature
Enumerated Powers
Control of Trade amongst several states
Regulation of foreign trade
Raising an army
Implied Powers ‘necessary & proper’ clause - Article I
Extension of power to regulate businesses across state lines
Constitutional Amendments
Requires a two thirds majority in both houses
Resolutions
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution 1964, a large scale US intervention force in Vietnam

7. Power of the Purse Article I, Section 8 Raise Taxes and Impose duties
Bills for raising revenues should emanate from the House of Representatives
“The budget is the supreme political document, determining national priorities, shaping congressional and election debates and allocating benefits to national, state and local interests” - Singh

8. The Budget’s lifespan
Office of management and Budget (OMB) – Projections from Executive Office
To Congress, where it is shaped by competing interests. The Senate and House Appropriations Committee play a part here
Budget broken down into 13 Appropriation Bills, acc to the sub Committees, defence, agriculture, urban development etc. Chairs of these Committees are called ‘Cardinals’
Each Bill to be voted on in House of Representatives and Senate

9. Oversight Powers
Reviews and Monitors the Executive Departments that make up the Federal Bureaucracy
Standing Committees shadow Executive departments
Senate
Armed Services Committee
House of Representatives
Small business Committee

10. What is oversight powers?
Evaluation of a particular programme
Reading and evaluating reports
Are the powers used?
Not really – “Oversight is negligible” Hart
“Firefighters rather than surveillance” English
Oversight more relevant after Watergate, as a check of Executive power
Used as a political tool, a way of highlighting policy failures

11. Examples of oversight being used
Senate Foreign Relations Committee ( ), subjected the White House’s military campaigns in South East Asia
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, plus the Washington Post uncovered Watergate
Select Committees unravelled the Iran-Contra affair In Colonel Oliver North (NSC) forced to give testimony

12. Advice and consent powers
Confirm or reject the appointment of senior federal officers, judges etc.
The ratification of treaties signed by the President

13. Powers of removal
Congress has the power to remove leading officials of the Executive, including the President
Impeachment process
A vote of the house to begin an enquiry
Results of the enquiry by the House Judiciary Committee is presented
If impeached (majority vote) by the House a trial is conducted in the Senate (2/3rds majority is required in the Senate. 18 Presidents have been considered, 7 convicted
Can only be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanours.

14. Power to declare war Article I, Section 8
Congress has only declared war on 5 occasions
Presidents have ordered the armed forces to: protect settlers from Indians, repel foreign outlaws, rescue US citizens, support friendly Governments, fight pirates and terrorists, deliver humanitarian aid and secure disputed lands.
War Powers Resolution 1973 – Congressional approval must be given for medium-long term military actions

15. Power to Remove Executive Officials
Powers – A summary
Oversight Powers
Power of the Purse
Power to make Federal Law
Congressional Power
Power to Declare War
Power to Remove Executive Officials
Advice and Consent powers