...’Members of the US Congress are too concerned with local matters and not concerned enough with issues affecting the whole country’ . Discuss. (30) The United States Congress has three primary roles: to represent, to legislate and to scrutinise (or ‘oversee’) the Executive Branch. However many people are beginning to wonder whether or not certain roles are more prominent than others, such a representation. Not only that but it can be argued that members of Congress may have slight ‘amnesia’ in terms of remembering that they were not only elected to represent their constituents, but their country too. It appears that self ambition and the prospects of re election are too sweet of an opportunity to miss out on that members are failing the country as a whole whilst benefiting individual states. In this essay I will be discussing not only this view but the view of the opposing, in which people believe the statement in question is false, and how these views differentiate between the two chambers of the Congress, the House and the Senate. The Federalist Papers provide a clear statement of the political behaviour expected of representatives, subjected to popular elections, drawing their political strength from their constituencies which were in the most cases small and reasonably homogenous. The authors contended that these circumstance would cause members of the House of Representatives to be highly sensitive to popular opinion. James Madison, when arguing in Federalist No.62 for the...
Words: 1519 - Pages: 7
...The Legislative Brach of the federal government is made up of two Chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate. These two bodies draft and pass laws that, if signed by the President of the United States, govern the United States and it's citizens. The bicameral (two-house) Congress emerged from a compromise between delegates from large and small states at the Constitutional Convention, which convened in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States. The Articles of Confederation, which had governed the country since 1783, left the national government powerless to resolve trade disputes with other countries and to prevent ruinous economic competition between the states. The delegates worried, however, that giving too much authority to the national government would result in the kinds of abuses of power that had led the colonies to break away from Great Britain. To prevent such problems, the framers of the Constitution gave most political power to the Congress, rather than to a single leader such as a king or president. The convention delegates disagreed over how to select members of Congress, however. The more populous states, such as Virginia and Pennsylvania, wanted power in the legislature that reflected their population and wealth. They favored a system that assigned congressional seats based on the number of residents in each state. Smaller states, such as New Jersey and Connecticut, feared that their...
Words: 3738 - Pages: 15
...Notes: Chapter 11 “Congress” I. Introduction 1. The Congress that the U.S. and most Latin American countries has is different from the Parliament that most European nations have because in Europe, a person who wants to run for office must persuade his party to nominate him, while in America, politicians can run for themselves. i. In Europe, people vote for parties; in America, they vote for individuals. ii. In primaries, people vote especially for a “person” (and his qualities, traits, etc…), and in general elections, this is sometimes true also. iii. In parliament, legislators can support their leaders or not, and if they don’t then new leaders (prime minister and various cabinet members) must be elected. a. This ensures that more action can occur, since the parties of the executive and legislative branches are practically always the same. iv. Congress is free from the turmoil of possible collapsing executive branches and is more powerful to make decisions; Congressmen don’t have to worry about easily losing their positions come another election. a. In Congress, there is less cohesion in bill passing, and less stuff can get done. v. Parliaments members usually engage in debate, are poorly paid, have little independent power, and receive little power as well. vi. Meanwhile, Congressmen are much better paid, have more power, do many things...
Words: 6015 - Pages: 25
...1.How are decisions made in Congress? What are the various factors influencing the decisions of congressional actors? What are the various ways (tactics) used to get legislation successfully through both houses? As a bill makes its way to become a law members of the Congress look to a variety of sources for indication. They often listen to their own beliefs and values but those views can be shaped by other considerations. First of all, members of Congress have always constituents in mind. Constituents are the people who live and vote in the same district or state. Legislator will not vote against the wishes of his constituency. But guessing how voters feel about any particular issue often is not easy. If an issue affects the constituency, a representative often will try to determine how the people feel. Staff members often send a lot of letters and make huge amount of phone calls for and against a policy that will be voted on soon. Studies by political scientists show that members vote in conformity with prevailing opinion in their districts about two-thirds of time. The other sources for voting cues are the opinions of one’s colleagues, especially those who belong to the same party. This tendency is observed concerning items of little concern to people back in the district or for which the legislator has little knowledge. The members turn for advice to colleagues who have served on the committee that handled the particular legislation. On issues that are of little interest...
Words: 1490 - Pages: 6
...Role of Congress Congress is the Bicameral Legislature of the Federal Government of the United States that includes the two chambers: the Senate and House of Representatives. People are familiar with Congress and its primary role to create and pass new laws. But, most don’t realize how important it is that we have the two chambers. This Legislature was created in 1789, but why? What caused the framers to create two different chambers and what is it that causes them to be so different? Also, and most importantly, what role does Congress and the two chambers play in our Government? The creating of Congress, requirements of Congress, and the role of Congress will all be discussed. There remain two main reasons of how and why Congress was created. Early on, the framers’ envisioned how a singular legislature body could become...
Words: 814 - Pages: 4
...of Nations, defender of the faith”. So what does the title of constitutional monarch contain and what is the role of the Queen within the UK and the Commonwealth? One can seem that the Queen takes active part in the governing of the kingdom: she is an integral part of the Parliament together with the House of Lords and the House of Commons. None of the parliamentary bill becomes a law without her Royal Assent. Prime-minister of the UK defeated in general elections or lost the majority in the House of Commons submits his petition to the Queen. And then the Queen offers a leader of the winning party to form a new government or consults with respect to whom it may be entrusted. Ambassadors accredited in London work not in some governmental department but at her court, and all honours including titles and distinctions in deed are awarded by Prime-minister on behalf of the Queen. The Queen is a commander-in-chief, head of the English church and on behalf of the Queen all the titles of archbishops and bishops. Formally she even appoints professors to their offices. In accordance with the law monarch is a head of the executive and judiciary and the commander-in-chief. However it’s important that a monarch has responsibilities but not powers. To run his or her duties a monarch should be a stable center in the changing reality of the UK, a symbol of continuity, bringing together past, present and future for the people who are using democratic ways of elections to decide who should be a prime-minister...
Words: 6717 - Pages: 27
...laws. They have the power to declare war, they confirm Presidential appointments for groups like the Supreme Court and the Cabinet, and they invest power. When this Legislative branch makes the laws they go in through a very long process. In order to make a law it must go through steps called the Legislative process. The first thing to do in the process is to write a bill. A member of a Congress must then present it to the Congress. After that, the next bill goes to a committee, which here it is either changed, accepted, or rejected. Once the committee agrees. the bill enters the Congress. Next the House of Representatives and the Senate debate on the bill to see if it will be a good law or not. During this step members vote on the bill to be accepted or rejected. Majority of the House of Representatives and Senate is needed for it to pass. The last step in the Legislative process is for the president of the United States to sign the bill to make it a law. Or the president can veto it, which means decline it. The Congress can override that veto if they get two thirds of the House of Representatives and the Senate to vote for the bill. The law making process is one of the main reasons why the Legislative branch is one of the branches in the United States of America...
Words: 562 - Pages: 3
...cannot do. Civil Rights; the legal or moral claims that citizens are entitled to make on the government. obligations. what government must do. The federal constitution provided such rights as representation in Congress (article 1 section 2) established who can serve in congress and become president and guaranted the privilege of habeas corpus for all people (article 1 section2). The Contstitution banned the importation of slaves after 1808, but permitted the practice of slavery to continue. Dred Scott v. Sandford, supreme court ruled that a former slave was not a citized under Missouri law, could not bring suit in cort, and was his master's personal property. slavery could not be excluded from the territories. helped provoke Civil War. Equal protection clause; aa quest for civil rights in turn inspired other groups to seek new laws and constitutional guarantees of their civil rights. aided by the simplicity of the clause, guarantees to any person. Amendment 1; limits on congress Amendments 2,3,4; Amendments 5,6,7,8; limits on judiciary. Amendments 9,10; limits on the national government. The bill of rights did not become a vital instrument for the extension of civil liberties for anyone until after a civil war and 14the amendment intervened. Strict scrutiny; the most stringent standard of judicial review of a government's actions in which the government must show that the law serves a compelling state interest. given a jump star in 1954 by brown v. boe. Exclusionary rule;...
Words: 2268 - Pages: 10
...February 1, 2018 Compare and contrast the House and Senate, and describe the role of committees in Congress. Congress is a major role in the United States government. The four main roles are lawmaking for the nation, representation of Constituents and interests, legislative oversight, and solving constituency problems. It is broken down into two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. These parts have their own congressional committees that hold hearings to scrutinize different laws and policies based on their specific duties. These hearings are held to see if the law or policy should even be considered by the House or Senate. The House of Representatives has 435 representatives that are at least 25 years of age and have been United States citizens for 7 years. The House controls the budget and has the power of impeachment. Impeachment occurs when a government official is charged with treason, bribery, misdemeanors, and other big crimes. When the House decides that a government official needs to be impeached due to misconduct, the Senate acts as a court with the...
Words: 523 - Pages: 3
...* Question 1 0 out of 1 points | | | Only the Senate can impeach civil officers, who are tried by the House of Representatives.Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: | True | Correct Answer: | False | | | | | * Question 2 0 out of 1 points | | | How many presidents have been impeached?Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: | Three | Correct Answer: | Two | | | | | * Question 3 0 out of 1 points | | | In recent years, Congress has expressed its unhappiness with Supreme Court decisions on abortion and gay rights byAnswer | | | | | Selected Answer: | refusing to confirm new lower federal judges until the Court reverses its decision. | Correct Answer: | attempting to alter the Court's jurisdiction. | | | | | * Question 4 0 out of 1 points | | | According to the Constitution, apportionment and redistricting must occur everyAnswer | | | | | Selected Answer: | four years. | Correct Answer: | ten years. | | | | | * Question 5 0 out of 1 points | | | Logrolling is another term for vote trading.Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: | False | Correct Answer: | True | | | | | * Question 6 0 out of 1 points | | | The official chair of the Senate is the _____.Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: | Speaker | Correct Answer: | president pro tempore | | | | | * Question 7 0 out of 1 points | | | Redrawing...
Words: 6400 - Pages: 26
...OF THE CONGRESS 1. Electoral tribunal * Are the persons in charge if there is something wrong about last election * Were created by the Constitution as special tribunals to be the sole judge of all contests relating to election, returns and qualifications of the members of the legislative houses, and, as such, are independent of congress * Was created to function as a nonpartisan court although two-thirds of its members are politician PURPOSE OF THE Constitution * To provide an independent arid impartial tribunal for the determination of the contests to legislative office * Devoid of partisan considerations * To transfer to that tribunal all the powers previously exercised by the legislative in matters pertaining to contested elections of its members Composition of the electoral tribunal Each electoral tribunal shall be composed of nine (9) members: 1. House of the Representative Electoral Tribunal (HRET) * Composed of the three (3) Justices of the Supreme Court * Designated by the Chief of Justice * Six (6) members of the Senate chosen on the basis of proportional representation from the political parties and the parties or organizations registered under the party-list system therein 2. Senate Electoral Tribunal * Composed of three (3) justices * Designated by the Chief of Justice * Six (6) members of the House of the Representative * Chosen on the basis of proportional representation * The most senior Justice...
Words: 599 - Pages: 3
...Exam 4 – Essay #1 The United States Congress is a bicameral legislature that was created with the Connecticut Compromise during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. There are two chambers, the House and the Senate, that are directly elected by the people. The role of Congress is to make law. The House creates tax bills and votes to impeach, while the Senate approves treaties, appointments, and votes to convict the impeached. The Senate is considered the “upper house” because it is more exclusive as there are only 100 members as compared to 435 members of the House. To be a Senator, one must be thirty years of age and a U.S. citizen for at least nine years. House members must be twenty-five years of age and a citizen for only seven years. Another reason the Senate more exclusive is that their term is six years long, but members of the House are up for re-election every two years. Although the Congress is comprised mostly of white males, the number of women, African Americans, and Latinos has increased dramatically since 1991. Each chamber in Congress greatly differs in the people they represent. Members of the House are elected from districts that are apportioned according to how many people live in the area, while there are two Senators from each state regardless of the population of that state. Members of the House usually deal more with local issues, because their constituents are from a specific area, usually relatively small compared to the size of the state. Senators...
Words: 2114 - Pages: 9
...Abolishing the congress I agree. Let's abolish Congress ASAP. Congress has been the albatross of the Philippines for long, long years and it is time to abolish it. Congress is one major reason why the Philippines is regarded as one of the most corrupt countries in the planet.. I AGREE ON SYSTEM CHANGE…..IT IS A MUST…… I SUGGEST—-AN ECLECTIC APPROACH TO COME UP WITH A KIND OF GOVERNMENT SYSTEM THAT WILL BE BASED ON SOCIAL PARLIAMENTARY AND DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES, THAT IS DISTINCT FROM ALL OTHER FORMS OF WORLD GOVERNMENTS….. BASICALLY TAILORED TO FIT FOR A UNITED PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS PARTICULAR GROUP OF ISLAND NATION. EVOLUTION OF THE PHILIPPINE LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM 1 The Philippine legislative system has undergone a series of evolutions that reflected the sociopolitical conditions of the times and the level of political maturity of society. It began with the unicameral Malolos Congress of the short-lived Philippine Republic of 1898-1899, followed by the Philippine Commission of 1901, a colonial legislative system composed of all-American appointees. This body then evolved into a bicameral, predominantly elective, Filipino-controlled legislature by virtue of the Jones Act of 1916, and lasted until November 1935 when the semi-independent Commonwealth Government was inaugurated. A unicameral National Assembly replaced the bicameral body after the 1935 Philippine Constitution was ratified. In 1941, the Constitution was amended, again restoring the bicameral legislature that...
Words: 2229 - Pages: 9
...Ivy Phillips 2A Republican representative Paul Ryan has said that he shall be running for Speaker of the House. According to Washington Post writer Chris Cillizza, Mr. Ryan has a very high chance of winning Speaker of the House. Cillizza has said that “The vote for speaker is, quite frankly, the easy part. There’s no policy at stake.” The problem what is will happen after the voting is done. Cillizza has also stated that “The speaker's vote, while the easiest of the challenges before Ryan, contains a kernel of the larger problems he is likely to face.” Even though the voting is almost guaranteed for Ryan, accepting the role of Speaker of the House is a huge deal. If Ryan gets elected, he will have to fill in Boehner’s shoes. This is going...
Words: 477 - Pages: 2
...Outline the differences between the House and the Senate (15 marks) House of Representatives is the lower house of the US Congress and other legislatures, including most US state governments and the Senate is the smaller upper assembly in the US together they make up the United States Congress. | In the Senate there are 100 members whereas there are about 435 in the House making it more difficult to gain a position of leadership in the House e.g. in January 2003, Senator Bill became majority party leader after 8 years in senate while Ms. Pelosi became minority leader after being in the house since 1987. In the House each state has a certain number of members proportional to the population of the state. Each member represents a district. By the time of 2002 elections, California had 53 representatives, while Wyoming had just one. Members of the House are elected for 2 year terms and the constitution states that to be a member of the House you must: be at least 25, have been a US citizen for at least 7 years and are a resident of the state in which your district is situated. whereby the in the Senate the constitution states that to be a senator you must be at least 30, they have been a US citizen for at least 9 years and they have be a resident of the State you represent. Each state has 2 senators, each senator represents the entire state; they are elected for 6 year terms. One-third of the senate is up for re-election every 2 years. Senators are also more recognized – known...
Words: 1756 - Pages: 8
