how many houses does the us congress consist of

The House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Congress.

Learning Objectives

Discuss the structure bodily structure of the Firm of Representatives and the qualifications for its members

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• The major power of the Domiciliate is to pass federal legislating that affects the entire country although its bills must also be passed past the Senate and further agreed to aside the U.S. President before becoming law.
• Each U.S. state is represented in the House in symmetry to its universe but is entitled to at the least incomparable representative. The nigh populous state, California, currently has 53 representatives.
• In few states, the Republican and Elective parties choose their candidates for each territory in their political conventions in spring or aboriginal summer, which often use whole voice votes to reflect either confidence in the incumbent or because of bargaining in earlier private discussions.
• The House uses committees and their subcommittees for a multifariousness of purposes, including the review of bills and the oversight of the executive branch. The entire Sign of the zodiac formally makes the appointment of committee members, but the prize of members is in reality made by the political parties.
• The Constitution empowers the United States House of Representatives to incriminate federal officials for treason, graft, or otherwise high crimes and misdemeanors and empowers the Senate to try such impeachment.

Francis Scott Key Terms

• impeachment: the act of impeaching a public formalised, either nonappointive or appointed, before a tribunal polar with determining the facts of the matter.

The Put up of Representatives

Background

The U.S. House of Representatives is extraordinary of the two houses of the United States government Coition (bicameral legislature). It is ofttimes referred to as the House. The some other house is the Senate.

US Congress in Stage Times: Using Max Weber's theory of stratification, members of the U.S. Congress are at the transcend of the ethnical hierarchy because they have high baron and position, despite having comparatively little wealthiness on average.

The composing and powers of the House are established in Article 1 of the United States Constitution. The major power of the House is to pass federal legislation that affects the entire country although its bills essential as wel be passed aside the Senate and further united to by the United States President before becoming law (unless some the Planetary hous and Senate re-run the statute law with a two-thirds majority in each chamber). The House has several exclusive powers: the force to initiate tax income bills, to criminate officials, and to elect the President of the United States just in case there is no absolute majority in the Electoral College.

Each U.S. state is described in the House in proportion to its population but is titled to at the least one allegoric. The most thickly settled state, California, currently has 53 representatives. Law fixes the total turn of voting representatives at 435. Each representative serves for a biennial term. The Speaker of the United States US House, World Health Organization presides over the chamber, is nonappointive by the members of the House, and is thus traditionally the leader of the House Democratic Caucus or the House Democratic League, whichever of the deuce Congressional Membership Organizations has more (vote) members.

Parceling

The population of U.S. Representatives is allocated to each of the 50 states and D.C., ranked by population. DC (ranked 50) receives no seats in the House. Under Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, population, as determined by the nose count conducted every cardinal years, apportions seating area in the House of Representatives among U.S.A.. Apiece put forward, however, is entitled to leastwise one Representative.

Qualifications

Clause I, Section 2 of the Constitution sets three qualifications for representatives. For each one representative must: (1) be at least twenty-five years old; (2) have been a citizen of the United States for the past seven years; and (3) be (at the time of the election ) an inhabitant of the state they represent. Members are not required to live in the district they represent, but they traditionally Doctor of Osteopathy. The age and citizenship qualifications for representatives are less than those for senators. The constitutional requirements of Clause I, Section 2 for election to Coition is the maximum requirements that can be imposed happening a candidate. Therefore, Clause I, Section 5, which permits each House to be the judge of the qualifications of its own members does not tolerate either House to establish additional qualifications. Likewise, a state could non found extra qualifications.

Demographics

Congress is constantly changing, perpetually in flux. In recent times, the American south and westmost have gained Star sign seats according to sociology changes recorded by the census and includes more minorities and women although both groups are still underrepresented, according to one view. While power balances among the different parts of regime continue to change, the internal social system of Sexual intercourse is important to understand along with its interactions with so-called intermediary institutions such as political parties, civic associations, interest groups, and the batch media.

Elections

Elections for representatives are held in all even-numbered year, on Polling day the first Tuesday after the first Mon in November. Representatives must be elected from single-member districts by plurality voting.

In most states, major party candidates for each district are appointed in partisan essential elections, typically held in leap out to late summer. In roughly states, the Republican and Democratic parties choose their respective candidates for for each one zone in their political conventions in take shape or early summertime. They often economic consumption unanimous part votes to reflect either confidence in the incumbent or American Samoa the result of bargaining in earlier private discussions.

Representatives and Delegates serve two-year terms, spell the Resident Commissioner serves for four years. The Constitution permits the House to expel a penis with a two-thirds suffrage. In the history of the United States, only five members accept been expelled from the House.

The US Senate

The Senat is composed of two senators from each state who are granted exclusive powers to confirm appointments and shoes holds on laws.

Learning Objectives

Summarize the powers accorded the Senate and the qualifications set for Senators

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Clause One of the U.S. Constitution. Two senators, unheeding of universe, represent each U.S. state. Senators attend to staggered six-year terms.
• It has the power to consent to treaties as a precondition to their ratification and willing or confirming appointments of Storage locker secretaries, federal judges, other Federal soldier executive officials, military machine officers, regulatory officials, ambassadors, and other federal uniformed officers.
• The Fundamental law stipulates that no constitutional amendment may be created to deprive a state of its be suffrage in the Senate without that land's go for.
• Senators do terms of six years each; the terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the seating area are up for election every 2 years.
• Senate subroutine depends not lonesome on the rules, but besides on a variety of customs and traditions. The Senate ordinarily waives few of its stricter rules away unanimous consent. Political party leadership typically negotiate unanimous accept agreements beforehand.

Key Terms

• cloture: In civil law assemblies that permit unlimited disputation (filibuster); a motion, procedure OR regulation, by which debate is ended so that a vote in may be taken on the matter. For example, in the United States government Senate, a threesome-fifths majority vote of the torso is required to invoke cloture and terminate debate.
• bicameral: Having, operating theater pertaining to, deuce separated legislative chambers or houses.

Backclot

The U.S. government Senate is the upper mansion of the bicameral legislature of the U.S.A, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the Congress. The authorship and powers of the Senate are established in Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution. Two senators, regardless of universe, represent each U.S. state. Senators serve staggered six-year terms. The chamber of the U.S. Senate is located in the north flank of the Capitol, in Washington, D.C., the national capital.

Capitol-Senat: The Senate's side of the Capitol in Washington D.C.

The Senate has several exclusive powers non granted to the House. These include the power to consent to treaties every bit a precondition to their ratification. The senate may also consent to or support the appointment of Console secretaries, government judges, former federal executive officials, subject field officers, restrictive officials, ambassadors, and other federal uniformed officers. The Senate is also responsible for trying northern officials impeached by the House.

The Constitution stipulates that no constitutional amendment may be created to deprive a state of its equal suffrage in the Senate without that state's consent. The D.C. and all otherwise territories (including territories, protectorates, etc. ) are not entitled to representation in either House of the Congress. The Territory of Columbia elects two dwarf senators, simply they are officials of the D.C. city government and non members of the U.S. Senate. The US Government has had 50 states since 1959, thus the Senate has had 100 senators since 1959.

Qualifications

Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution sets three qualifications for senators: 1) they must be at least 30 years middle-aged, 2) they must have been citizens of the United States for at least the prehistorical club years, and 3) they must be inhabitants of America they assay to represent at the time of their election. The age and citizenship qualifications for senators are more stringent than those for representatives. In Federalist No. 62, Madison justified this arrangement past arguing that the "senatorial trust" called for a "greater extent of selective information and stability of character. "

The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution disqualifies from the Senate any regime OR state officers who had taken the requirement oath to support the Constitution, merely later engaged in rebellion or aided the enemies of the US. This purvey, which came into force soon after the end of the Civil State of war, was attached to keep those who had sided with the Confederacy from serving.

Term and Elections

Senators serve terms of six years each. The terms are staggered soh that approximately one-third gear of the seats are skyward for election every two years. This was achieved by divisional the senators of the 1^st Congress into thirds (called classes), where the terms of one-third gear invalid after two years, the terms of another third expired after foursome, and the terms of the survive third base expired after six old age. This arrangement was also followed aft the admission of new states into the union. The staggering of terms has been organized such that some seats from a given State are non contested in the same indiscriminate election, except when a mid-condition vacancy is being full. Underway senators whose six-yr damage drop dead happening January 3, 2013, belong to Class I.

Daily Procedures

Senate routine depends non lonesome on the rules, but also on a variety of customs and traditions. The Senate commonly waives roughly of its stricter rules by unanimous consent. Party leaders typically negotiate consentient go for agreements beforehand. A senator may block such an concord, just in practice, objections are rare. The presiding police officer enforces the rules of the Senate, and may warn members who aberrant from them. The presiding officer sometimes uses the gavel of the Senate to maintain regularize.

A "hold" is settled when the loss leader's office is notified that a senator intends to object to a request for unanimous accept from the Senate to consider or pass a measure. A hold may exist placed for any reason and can be lifted by a senator at whatever time. A senator English hawthorn aim a keep in just to review a poster, to negotiate changes to the bill, or to putting to death the bill. A bill seat be held for as pole-handled as the senator who objects to the bill wishes to block its consideration.

Holds dismiss be whelm, merely require long procedures much as filing cloture. Holds are considered private communications between a senator and the Loss leader, and are sometimes referred to as "secret holds". A senator may let out that he or she has set a hold.

The House and the Senate: Differences in Responsibilities and Representation

The US Copulation is composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which differ in representation, term length, power, and prestigiousness.

Learning Objectives

Equivalence and dividing line the social organization and composition of the House and Senate

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• Congress is split into two chambers—the US House and Senate. Congress writes national legislating by dividing bring up into separate committees which specialize in incompatible areas. Or s members of Coitus are elected by their peers to be officers of these committees.
• The disparity between the most and least populous states has grown since the Connecticut Compromise, which granted each state cardinal members of the US Senate and leastways one member of the House of Representatives, for a sum up minimum of three presidential Electors, irrespective of population.
• The Senate has various distinct powers. The "advice and consent " powers, such arsenic the power to approve treaties, are a sole Senate privilege. The House, nevertheless, can initiate spending bills and has exclusive confidence to impeach officials and choose the President in an Electoral College impasse.
• The Senate and Star sign are further differentiated by term lengths and the number of districts represented. With yearner footing, fewer members and (in nearly seven delegations) larger constituencies, senators may receive greater prestigiousness.

Key Terms

• gerrymandering: The practice of redrawing option districts to gain an electoral advantage for a party.
• apportionment: It is the process of allocating the political power of a set of constituent voters among their representatives in a administration.

Screen backgroun

Congress is break into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress writes national legislation by dividing influence into separate committees which specialize in different areas. Some members of Congress are elected by their peers to live officers of these committees. Ancillary organizations much as the Government Accountability Office and the Program library of Congress provide Congress with information, and members of Congress have staff and offices to assist them. Additionally, a vast industry of lobbyists helps members write legislation on behalf of diverse incorporated and parturiency interests.

United States Senate Assignatio and Representation

The Constitution stipulates that no constitutional amendment may be created to impoverish a state of its equal suffrage in the Senate without that State Department's go for. The District of Capital of South Carolina and all other territories (including territories, protectorates, etc.) are not entitled to representation in either House of the Congress. The Territory of Columbia elects ii apparition senators, merely they are officials of the D.C. city politics and non members of the United States Senate. The Incorporate States has had 50 states since 1959, so the Senate has had 100 senators since 1959.

The disparity between the most and least populous states has adult since the Connecticut Via media, which granted each state two members of the Senate and at least one member of the House of Representatives, for a add up tokenish of trey presidential Electors, no matter of population. This means some citizens are in effect an order of magnitude better delineate in the Senate than those in other states. For example, in 1787, Virginia had roughly ten times the universe of Rhode Island. Today, California has roughly seventy times the population of WY, based on the 1790 and 2000 censuses. Seats in the House of Representatives are approximately proportionate to the universe of each State, reducing the disparity of agency.

House of Representatives Apportionment and Histrionics

Under Article I, Department 2 of the Organic law, seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned among the states by population, as determined by the census conducted all ten years. For each one country, however, is entitled to at least one Representative.

The exclusively constitutional convention relating to the size of the House reads, "The Add up of Representatives shall not outgo one for every thirty Thousand. Congress regularly increased the size of the Business firm to account for population growth until it set the number of voting Home members at 435 in 1911. The number was temporarily increased to 437 in 1959 upon the admittance of AK and Hawaii, seating unitary representative from each of those states without changing present assignatio, and returned to 435 four years later, after the reapportionment consequent to the 1960 census.

The Formation does not provide for the representation of the DC or territories. The District of Columbia University and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marianas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are represented aside one not-voting delegate each. PR elects a House physician Commissioner, merely other than having a four-class term, the Resident Commissioner's function is isotropous to the delegates from the other territories. The five Delegates and Resident Commissioner may take part in debates. Prior to 2011, they were likewise allowed to vote in committees and the Committee of the Solid when their votes would not be decisive.

States that are entitled to more than ace Representative are divided into concentrated-member districts. This has been a federal statutory necessity since 1967. Anterior thereto law, general ticket representation was used by some states. Typically, states redraw these district lines after each census, though they may do so at other times. Each express determines its own zone boundaries, either through legislation operating theatre through non- partisan panels. Disproportion in representatives is unconstitutional and districts must be approximately equal in. The Voting Rights Act up prohibits states from gerrymandering districts.

Gerrymandering Comparability: Therein example, the more than even up distribution is on the socialistic and the gerrymandered distribution is on the suited.

Comparing to the Senate

As a check on the popularly nonappointive House, the United States Senate has several distinct powers. For example, the "advice and consent" powers are a lone Senat privilege. The Star sign, even so, can initiate spending bills and has exclusive agency to accuse officials and opt the Chair in an Electoral College deadlock. The Senate and House are boost differentiated by condition lengths and the number of districts represented. Dissimilar the Senate, the House is more hierarchically organized, with leadership roles such as the Whips and the Minority and Absolute majority leadership playing a big part. What is more, the procedure of the House depends not only on the rules, but likewise happening a variety of custom, precedents, and traditions. In many cases, the Theater waives some of its stricter rules (including time limits on debates) by unanimous accept. With yearner terms, fewer members and (in virtually seven delegations) larger constituencies, senators may receive greater prestigiousness. The Senate has traditionally been considered a fewer partisan bedroom because it's relatively small membership might have a better probability to broker compromises.

The Legislative Function

The House and United States Senate are equal partners in the legislative swear out; legislation cannot equal enacted without the consent of both chambers.

Scholarship Objectives

Differentiate between the powers granted by the Constitution to the House and Senate

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• Article I of the Constitution states all legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the America, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives. Both are equal partners in the legislative process; lawmaking commode't be enacted without both their consent.
• Congress has implied powers deriving from the Organization's Necessary and Proper Clause which permit Congress to "make all Torah which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the preceding powers, and all other powers unconditional by this Constitution…".
• Legislative, supervising, and internal administrative tasks are divided among about two hundred committees and subcommittees which gather information, evaluate alternatives, and place problems.

Key Damage

• Necessary and Appropriate Article: the provision in Article Ace of the United States Constitution, section 8, article 18, which states that Sexual congress has the power "to make complete Laws which shall be necessary and proper" for executing its duties
• bypass: It is to avoid an obstacle etc, by constructing or using a bypass.
• legislative: That branch of government which is amenable for making, or having the power to make, a law or laws.

Backdrop

Article I of the Constitution states all legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a U.S. House. The House and United States Senate are equal partners in the legislative assembly appendage—legislation cannot personify enacted without the go for of both chambers. However, the Organic law grants each chamber some unique powers. The Senate ratifies treaties and approves presidential appointments while the Sign of the zodiac initiates revenue-raising bills. The House initiates impeachment cases, piece the Senate decides impeachment cases. A two-thirds vote of the Senate is needful before an impeached person can be forcibly abstracted from office.

Coition has implicit powers deriving from the Constitution's Necessary and Proper Clause which permit Intercourse to "make all Pentateuch which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the preceding powers, and all other powers vested by this Composition in the government of the United States, Oregon in some department operating room officer therefrom. " Broad interpretations of this clause and of the Commerce Clause, the enumerated power to regulate commerce, in rulings such every bit McCulloch v Maryland experience in effect widened the scope of Congress's general assembly authority removed beyond that prescribed in Section 8.

Congress Overseeing the Enforcement Arm

One of Congress's foremost non-assembly functions is the power to enquire and superintend the executive director ramification. Congressional oversight is ordinarily delegated to committees and is facilitated by Congress's subpoena tycoo. Some critics have charged that Congress has, in some instances, failed to do an enough job of overseeing the other branches of government. In the Plame affair, critics, including Typical Henry A. Waxman, charged that Congress was not doing an adequate job of lapse therein case. There have been concerns about congressional oversight of executive actions such as warrantless wiretapping, although others respond that Congress did investigate the legality of presidential decisions.

Congress also has the sole power of removal, allowing impeachment and remotion of the president, federal Book of Judges and other federal officers. There have been charges that presidents performing low the doctrine of the unitary executive have assumed Copernican legislative and budgetary powers that should belong to Congress. Supposed 'signing statements' are unmatched way in which a president can "tip the equilibrise of power between Copulation and the White House a shrimpy more in favor of of the executive outgrowth," according to one account. Past presidents, including Ronald Ronald Wilson Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill William Jefferson Clinton, and George W. Bush consume successful unrestricted statements when signing legislative legislating about how they understand a eyeshade or contrive to execute it, and commentators including the North American nation Bar Association have described this practice as against the tone of the Constitution. There have been concerns that presidential authority to make do with financial crises is eclipsing the magnate of Copulation

The impeachment trial of President Clinton: Floor minutes of the U.S. Senate, in academic term during the impeachment trial of Banknote Clinton.

Baron in Committees

Committees drop a line legislation. While procedures such as the House discharge orison process keister introduce bills to the House floor and effectively get around committee input, they are exceedingly serious to implement without commission action. Committees have magnate and have been called ' independent fiefdoms'. Legislative assembly, lapse, and internal administrative tasks are cleft among about two hundred committees and subcommittees which pull together information, evaluate alternatives, and identify problems. They propose solutions for consideration by the whole chamber. They also perform the function of supervising by monitoring the executive branch and investigating actus reu.

Bills and resolutions

In order to form a bill or resolution, first the House Financial Services committee meets. Committee members sit in the tiers of raised chairs, piece those testifying and audience members sit beneath. Ideas for legislation can come with from members, lobbyists, res publica legislatures, constituents, legislative counsel, or executive agencies. Usually, the next step is for the proposal to be passed to a commission for review. A submitted proposal usually takes one of the following forms:

• A bill, which is a law in the qualification.
• A joint firmness of purpose, which differs little from a bill since both are treated similarly. However, a joint resolution originates from the House.
• A Concurrent Resolutions, which affects both House and Senate and so are not bestowed to the president for approval later.
• Simple resolutions, which business organization only the House or merely the Senate.

The Internal representation Mathematical function

A via media be after was adopted where representatives were chosen away the population and two senators were Chosen away state governments.

Learning Objectives

Describe the outcome of the Connecticut Compromise

Key Takeaways

Discover Points

• Since 1787, the population disparity between large and small states has grown. For example, in 2006 California had 70 times the universe of Wyoming.
• Critics, such as intrinsical student Sanford Levinson, have suggested that the universe disparity industrial plant against residents of large states and causes a steady redistribution of resources from macro states to small states.
• The Nutmeg State Compromise gave every state, conspicuous and small, an equal vote in the Senate. Since each state has two senators, residents of smaller states have Sir Thomas More clout nail in the Senate than residents of larger states.
• Providing services helps members of Carnal knowledge win votes because elections rear make a difference in close races. Congressional staff can help citizens navigate government bureaucracies.

Nam Terms

• framers: The authors of the American Old Ironsides.
• cloakroom: A room, in a public building such as a theatre, where coats and other property may be left temporarily.

Background

The two-sleeping room structure had functioned well in state governments. A compromise be after was adoptive and representatives were chosen by the population which benefited larger states. Two senators were chosen by state governments which benefited little states.

When the Constitution was legal in 1787, the ratio of the populations of hulking states to small states was roughly 12 to one. The Connecticut Compromise gave every state, large and small, an quits vote in the Senate. Since each state has two senators, residents of smaller states have more clout in the United States Senate than residents of larger states. However, since 1787, the population disparity between large and small states has grown. For instance, in 2006 California had 70 times the population of Wyoming.

Coition Hall Committee Room in Philadelphia: The second citizens committee room upstairs in Congress Hall, Philadelphia, PA.

Critics, such Eastern Samoa constitutional scholar Sanford Levinson, have suggested that the population disparity works against residents of large states and causes a steady redistribution of resources from large states to moderate states. However, others argue that the framers intended for the Connecticut Compromise to construct the Senate so that all state had equal footing that was non supported population. Critics contend that the result is successful for maintaining balance.

Members and Constituents

A major role for members of Congress is providing services to constituents. Constituents asking assistance with problems. Providing services helps members of Congress win votes because elections can make a conflict in close races. Congressional stave can help citizens navigate political science bureaucracies. One domain represented the complex intertwined relation between lawmakers and constituents as "home style. "

Congressional Style

Accordant to political scientist Richard Fenno, there are specific ways to categorise lawmakers. First, is if they are loosely intended by reelection: these are lawmakers who never met a voter they did not equal and provide excellent constituent services. Second, is if they get good public policy: these are legislators who burnish a reputation for policy expertise and leadership. Third, is if they experience power in the chamber: these are lawmakers World Health Organization spend serious time on the rail of the House floor or in the Senate cloakroom ministering to the needs of their colleagues.

Service to Constituents

A major purpose for members of Carnal knowledge is providing services to constituents.

Encyclopaedism Objectives

Summarize the services Congresspersons and their faculty provide constituents

Key Takeaways

Primal Points

• A major role for members of Congress is providing services to constituents. Constituents request assist with problems. Providing services helps members of Coition win votes and elections and can make a dispute in close races.
• The phallus's constituency, important regional issues, preceding background and experience May influence the choice of specialisation. Senators often choose a different specialty from that of the other senator from their state to forbid overlap.
• Senators often choose a diametrical speciality from that of the different senator from their state to prevent convergence. Some committees specialize in running the business of other committees and exert a powerful influence complete totally legislation.

Key Terms

• constituency: An interest group or sports fan groundwork.

Background

A major role for members of Congress is providing services to constituents. Constituents request aid with problems. Providing services helps members of Congress win votes and elections and derriere make a difference in close races. Congressional staff can help citizens navigate governing bureaucracies. One academic described the complex tangled relationship between lawmakers and constituents As "home style. "

Committees look into specialized subjects and advise the entire Congress about choices and trade-offs. The member's constituency, important regional issues, and prior scop and experience Crataegus oxycantha influence the prize of specialty. Senators often choose a different specialty from that of the unusual senator from their state to prevent overlap. Some committees specialise in running the business of other committees and exert a almighty influence concluded all legislating; e.g., the Planetary hous Ways and Means Committee have big regulate over House affairs.

2004 Presidential Election by County: This map shows the ballot in the 2004 presidential election by county. All major Republican geographic constituencies are visible: red dominates the map, showing Republican strength in the rural areas, while the denser areas (i.e., cities) are blue. Notable exceptions include the Pacific Coast; New England; the Black Belt, areas with highschool Native American populations; and the heavily Hispanic parts of the Southwest.

Congressional Style

One way to categorize lawmakers, reported to political scientist Richard Fenno, is by their superior general motivation:

• re-election, these are lawmakers who "ne'er met a elector they did not like" and provide excellent constituent services
• good populace policy, legislators WHO burnish a reputation for policy expertise and leadership
• power in the bedroom, lawmakers WHO spend serious prison term along the fulminate of the House stun or in the United States Senate cloakroom ministering to the inevitably of their colleagues – famous legislator Henry Clay in the middle-ordinal century was described as an "issue entrepreneur" who looked for issues to attend to his ambitions
• gridlock, unless Congress give notice begin to work together through and through compromise, each member will be removed, by one means Beaver State some other (i.e., by CPA).

The Oversight Function

The Allied States Congress has oversight of the Executive Office of the President and other U.S. federal agencies.

Eruditeness Objectives

Describe congressional oversight and the varied bases whence its authority is derived

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• Congressional oversight is the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation.
• Congress exercises this office largely through its legislative citizens committee system. However, supervising, which dates to the earlier days of the Republic, also occurs in a wide variety of congressional activities and contexts.
• It is implied in the legislative assembly 's authority, among else powers and duties, to appropriate pecuniary resource, reenact laws, raise and support armies, provide for a Nav, declare war, and impeach and remove from agency the President, Vice President, and other polite officers.

Key Price

• subpoena: A judicial writ requiring someone to appear in court to give testimony.

Background

Legislative oversight refers to oversight past the United States Congress of the Executive Branch, including the numerous U.S. northern agencies. Congressional oversight is the review, monitoring, and superintendence of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy carrying out. Sexual relation exercises this power largely through its congressional committee system. However, oversight, which dates to the earliest days of the Republic, also occurs in a inaccurate variety of congressional activities and contexts. These include mandate, appropriations, investigative, and legislative hearings past still committees; specialized investigations by select committees; and reviews and studies by legislature plunk fo agencies and staff.

Sexual intercourse's oversight authority derives from its "implied" powers in the Establishment, public laws, and House and Senat rules. IT is an integral part of the American system of checks and balances.

Written report on the Organization of Congress

Oversight is an implied rather than an enumerated king under the U.S. Organization. The government 's rent does not explicitly grant Congress the authority to conduct inquiries or investigations of the executive, to have access to records or materials held by the executive director, Oregon to take subpoenas for documents or testimony from the executive.

There was little discussion of the power to manage, review articl, or investigate executive activity at the Constitutional Normal of 1787 or later in the Federalist Papers, which argued in favour of ratification of the Constitution. The lack of debate was because oversight and its attendant self-confidence were seen as an inherent power of illustration assemblies, which enacted public police force.

Oversight too derives from the many, changed express powers of the Congress in the Constitution. It is implied in the legislature's authority, among early powers and duties, to appropriate funds, enact laws, wage hike and patronage armies, provide for a Dark blue, hold warfare, and impeach and remove from office the President, Vice President, and past political unit officers. US Congress could not reasonably or responsibly exercise these powers without informed what the executive was doing; how programs were organism administered, by whom, and at what cost; and whether officials were obeying the law and complying with legislature purport.

The Supreme Motor lodge of the United States ready-made the oversight powers of Congress legitimate, subject to constitutional safeguards for national liberties, connected several occasions. For example, in 1927 the High Court launch that in investigation the administration of the Justice Department, Congress was considering a subject "on which legislation could be had or would constitute materially aided by the information which the investigation was measured to evoke. "

Activities and Avenues

Oversight occurs through with a wide variety of congressional activities and avenues. Some of the most publicized are the relatively uncommon investigations by select committees into major scandals or Executive Office of the President operations kaput awry. Examples are temporary choice committee inquiries into: People's Republic of China's acquisition of U.S. nuclear weapons data, in 1999; the Islamic Republic of Iran-Contra affair, in 1987; intelligence agency abuses, in 1975-1976, and "Watergate," in 1973-1974. The precedent for this rather oversight goes back two centuries: in 1792, a special House citizens committee investigated the defeat of an U. S. Army draw away confederated Indian tribes.

Jim Greenwood Committee Chair: Congressman Jim Greenwood, Chairman of the House Committee on Vitality and Mercantilism Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, gavels to start the hearing on human cloning.

The Public-Education Function of Sex act

The Library of Congress provides public information and educates the open about statute law among early general information.

Learning Objectives

Give in examples of the various roles the Library Congress plays in public educational activity

Francis Scott Key Takeaways

Key Points

• Putnam focused his efforts along qualification the Library more accessible and useful for the public and for other libraries. He instituted the interlibrary lend service, transforming the Library of Congress into what he referred to as a "library of pis aller".
• Based in the Progressive era 's philosophy of science American Samoa a problem-solver, and sculptural afterwards successful inquiry branches of state legislatures, the LRS would provide informed answers to Congressional research inquiries on almost any matter.
• The library is open to the imprecise public for academic research and tourists. Only those who are issued a Subscriber Identification Card Crataegus oxycantha enter the reading suite and access the assembling.

Key Terms

• talent: The invested funds of a non-for-profit origination.

Background

The Library of Congress, spurred past the 1897 reorganization, began to grow and develop more rapidly. Victor Herbert Putnam held the office for forty years from 1899 to 1939, entry into the position two years before the Library became the first in the United States to withstand one trillion volumes. Putnam focussed his efforts on qualification the Library many accessible and useful for the public and for other libraries. He instituted the interlibrary loan service, transforming the Library of Congress into what he referred to as a library of pis aller. Putnam also expanded Library access to "technological investigators and duly qualified individuals" and began publishing primary sources for the benefit of scholars.

Depository library of Sex act: The collections of the Library of Congress include more than 32 million cataloged books and other print materials in 470 languages; to a higher degree 61 million manuscripts.

Putnam's incumbency too sawing machine increasing diversity in the Library's acquisitions. In 1903, he persuaded President Theodore Theodore Roosevelt to transfer by executive order the written document of the Institution Fathers from the State Section to the Library of Congress. Putnam expanded foreign acquisitions as well.

In 1914, Putnam entrenched the Legislative Reference work Service as a partitive administrative body of the Library. Based in the Progressive era's philosophy of scientific discipline A a problem-solver, and shapely after successful research branches of commonwealth legislatures, the LRS would provide informed answers to Congressional research inquiries on almost some subject. In 1965, Congress passed an number allowing the Library of Congress to demonstrate a trust fund board to accept donations and endowments, freehanded the Program library a purpose as a supporter of the arts.

The Library received the donations and endowments of prominent individuals such as Toilet D. Rockefeller, James B. Wilbur and Archer M. Collis Potter Huntington. Gertrude Clarke Whittall given five Stradivarius violins to the Library and Elizabeth Sprague Calvin Coolidge's donations paid for a concert hall within the Library of Carnal knowledge building and the establishment of an honorarium for the Music Air division. A number of chairs and consultantships were established from the donations, the best known of which is the Poet Honorable Consultant.

Library of Congress Expanding upon

The Library's expansion yet filled the Subroutine library's Main Construction, despite shelving expansions in 1910 and 1927, forcing the Library to expand into a new structure. Congress acquired nearby land in 1928 and approved construction of the Annex Building (later the John Adams Building) in 1930. Although abeyant during the Depression years, it was completed in 1938 and staring to the public in 1939.

When Putnam retired in 1939, President Franklin D. Franklin Roosevelt appointed Archibald MacLeish as his heir. Occupying the post from 1939 to 1944 during the height of World War II, MacLeish became the most visible Librarian of Congress in the Library's history. MacLeish bucked up librarians to oppose totalitarianism on behalf of democracy; dedicated the South Reading Room of the Adams Construction to Thomas Jefferson, commissioning artist Book of Ezra Winter to paint cardinal themed murals for the elbow room; and foreign a "democracy alcove" in the Main Reading Room of the Jefferson Construction for noteworthy documents such as the Resolution, Constitution and Federalist Written document.

Even the Library of Sexual relation assisted during the war effort. These efforts ranged from the depot of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution in Fortify Knox for safekeeping to researching weather data along the Himalayas for Airforce pilots. MacLeish resigned in 1944 to get over Adjunct Secretary of State, and President Harry Truman appointed Luther H. Evans as Librarian of Congress. Evans, who served until 1953, expanded the Library's acquisitions, cataloging and bibliographic services as much as the fiscal-minded Sex act would allow, but his primary achievement was the creation of Library of Congress Missions about the world. Missions played a variety show of roles in the postwar world: the mission in San Francisco assisted participants in the meeting that established the United Nations, the mission in Europe acquired European publications for the Library of Congress and unusual American libraries, and the mission in Japan aided in the macrocosm of the National Diet Subroutine library.

In 2016, Dr. Carla Hayden was nominative As the 14th Librarian of Sexual relation, the first adult female, and the first African-American to dis in the position.The library is open to the general public for academic research and tourists. Only those who are issued a Reader Identification Posting may enter the reading rooms and access the collection. The Reader Identification Card is available in the Madison construction to persons who are leastways 16 geezerhood of age upon intro of a governing issued depict identification (e.g. number one wood's permit, state I.D. card or pass). However, only members of Sexual congress, Supreme Court Justices, their staff, Library of U.S. Congress staff and certain other government officials may actually off items from the library buildings. Members of the general exoteric with Lecturer Identification Card game moldiness use items from the library collection inside the reading rooms only. Since 1902, libraries in the United States have been able to request books and other items through and through interlibrary lend from the Library of Sexual intercourse if these items are non readily available elsewhere.

The Conflict-Resolution Office

Both the Senate and the Star sign have a battle-closure procedure before a bill is passed as a piece of legislation.

Acquisition Objectives

Sum up the stairs aside which a bill becomes constabulary

Discover Takeaways

Key Points

• Representatives introduce a billhook while the House is in session by placing it in the hopper on the Clerk's desk. It is assigned a issue and referred to a committee. The citizens committee studies each bill intensely at this stage.
• For each one bill goes through several stages in each business firm including consideration by a committee and advice from the Government activity Accountability Office. Most legislation is considered past standing committees, which have jurisdiction over a particular subject field such A Agriculture Oregon Appropriations.
• Once a bill is approved past one house, it is sent to the other house which may pass, reject, Oregon amend it. For the bill to become constabulary, both houses must agree to identical versions of the bill.
• After passing finished both houses, a measure is dispatched to the chairwoman for approval. The chair may sign it making information technology law or veto information technology and return information technology to Congress with his objections. A vetoed bill can quiet become law if each household of United States Congress votes to override the veto with a two-thirds majority.
• If Congress is adjourned during this period, the president may veto legislation passed at the end of a congressional session simply by ignoring IT. This maneuver is known as a pocket veto. It cannot be overridden past the adjourned Congress.

Key Terms

• annexation: In the public eye funds appropriate for a specific purpose.
• amend: To make a positive alteration in legislating by adding, deleting, operating room recasting.

Background

Representatives usher in a bill while the House is in session by placing IT in the hopper on the Salesclerk's desk. Information technology is assigned a figure and referred to a committee. At this stage, the committee studies to each one bill intensely. Draftsmanship statutes requires "capital acquirement, knowledge, and experience" and can sometimes take a year operating room more. Once in a while, lobbyists write legislation and submit it to a member for introduction. Shared resolutions are the normal way to propose a inbuilt amendment or declare war. Then again, concurrent resolutions (passed past both houses) and simple resolutions (passed by merely one house) do not have the force of police force, but they expressed the opinion of Congress operating theater regulate procedure. Whatever member of either house may introduce bills. However, the Constitution provides states that: All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. While the Senat cannot initiate revenue and annexation bills, it has the power to amend or reject them. Congress has sought ways to instal apposite spending levels.

Bill and Resolutions

Each greenback goes through several stages in all theater including consideration aside a citizens committee and advice from the Governing Accountability Office. Most legislating is taken into circumstance by standing committees, which have legal power over a particular subject much as Agribusiness operating theater Appropriations. The House has 20 standing committees; the Senate has 16. Standing committees meet at the least once every month. Almost all standing committee meetings for transacting business sector must be open to the overt unless the committee publicly votes to close the meeting. A committee might involve public hearings on important bills. A chair who belongs to the majority party and a ranking member of the minority party lead from each one committee. Witnesses and experts can ever-present their case for operating theatre against a bill. Then, a bill may die to what is called a bell ringer-ahead session where committee members fence the nib's merits. The citizens committee members whitethorn offer amendments or revisions. Committees may as wel improve the bill, simply the booming house holds the force to go for or reject citizens committee amendments. After debate, the committee votes whether it wishes to composition the bar to the inundated house. If a bill is tabled, and then it is rejected. If amendments are extensive, sometimes a new bill with amendments built in bequeath be submitted as a and so-called "clean bill" with a new number. Generally, members who undergo been in Congress thirster have greater seniority and therefore greater power.

U.S. Put up Committee: The Menage Financial Services Committee meets. Committee members posture in the tiers of raised chairs, piece individuals testifying and audience members seat below.

A bill, that reaches the floor of the pear-shaped house, can be simple operating room Gordian. It begins with an enacting formula such as "Live it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. " Consideration of a bill requires, itself, a govern which is a lancelike solvent specifying the particulars of debate—time limits, possibility of further amendments, and much. For each one lateral has equal time and members can issue to early members who wish to speak. Sometimes opponents seek to recommit a bank note, which means to change part of it. Loosely, discussion requires a quorum, usually half of the amount number of representatives, before discussion can begin, although there are exceptions. The house may debate and amend the flier. The accurate procedure used past the House and US Senate differs. A final vote connected the bill follows.

Once a bill is approved away one house, IT is sent to the other which may overhaul, reject, or amend it. For the bill to become law, both houses must concord to very versions of the bill. If the second house amends the bill, then the differences between the two versions essential be reconciled in a conference committee. This is an ad hoc committee that includes both senators and representatives and uses a reconciliation summons to limit budget bills. Both Houses use a budget enforcement chemical mechanism informally known equally "pay-as-you-go" OR "pay-go" which discourages members from considering Acts of the Apostles which increase budget deficits. If both houses agree to the version reported by the league committee, the bill passes, otherwise information technology fails.

The Constitution, however, requires a recorded suffrage if demanded past one-fifth of the members present. If the representative ballot is opaque Oregon if the matter is controversial, a recorded vote normally happens.

Afterward transition past both houses, a bill is enrolled and sent to the president for approval. The president May sign it making it law. If the bill is vetoed, the president returns information technology to Congress with his objections. A vetoed vizor can quiet become law if each house of US Congress votes to override the veto with a two-thirds majority. However, if Congress is adjourned during this period, the president May interdict legislation passed at the end of a congressional academic session just aside ignoring it. This maneuver is familiar as a pocket proscribe. It cannot be overridden by the adjourned Coitus.

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Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-politicalscience/chapter/the-nature-and-function-of-congress/

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