hi. my teacher assigned us 20 questions and i got most of them, but i couldn't find the answers to these 4 questions. i did try google but it didn't help much. could someone please help me?
List and explain how Congress carries out its’ three primary duties of legislation, oversight and confirmation. Evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and efficiency of Congress in each area. (I got legislation already; only need oversight and confirmation)
List 6 reasons power in Congress has become more decentralized in the last 30 years. What are the results and effects of this significant decentralization?
Identify and explain using examples, of why legislation is so difficult to get through the Congressional committee system.
Congress has been accused of being highly inefficient. Access the legitimacy of this accusation. Make sure you give examples to defend your argument. Also determine if this inefficiency is necessarily a negative attribute.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_oversight
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_congressional_hearing
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=congress+decentralized&oq=congress+decentra&aq=0v&aqi=g-v2g-j1g-q1&aql=1&gs_l=serp.1.0.0i15l2j0i18j0i22.2.3288.1.6306.9.9.0.0.0.0.304.1058.6j2j0j1.9.0.cqn%2Ccconf%3D0-95%2Cmin_length%3D2%2Crate_low%3D0-006%2Crate_high%3D0-006.1.0.0.B_C4qZ9kgWk&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=d0f8cd49a0fc8cd2&biw=711&bih=453
For your last two question, the basic answer is that democracy is messy. Congress is made up of 525 individuals, each responsible to the citizens who elected him/her. This situation has made it possible to represent all points of view but it sure slows government down and at times has stopped it.
Sure, I can help you with those questions. Let's tackle them one by one.
1. Congress's Primary Duties (Oversight and Confirmation):
To understand how Congress carries out its primary duties of oversight and confirmation, we first need to define them:
- Oversight: This refers to the responsibility of Congress to oversee the executive branch, ensuring that laws are faithfully executed, government agencies are operating effectively, and that the interests of the public are being served. One way Congress carries out oversight is through the power of conducting investigations and holding hearings.
- Confirmation: The confirmation duty of Congress involves approving the appointments of certain officials, such as federal judges, ambassadors, and members of the president's cabinet. These appointments require the Senate's consent.
Strengths, Weaknesses, and Efficiency:
The strengths of Congress in oversight are that it provides a system of checks and balances, allowing it to hold the executive branch accountable and prevent abuses of power. Additionally, oversight can lead to policy improvements and corrective actions.
However, there are weaknesses in the oversight function. Sometimes, partisan politics can hinder effective oversight, with members of Congress focusing more on political gains rather than genuine oversight. Inefficiency can also be a challenge, as investigations can be time-consuming and require coordination among different committees.
For confirmation, the strength lies in Congress's role in ensuring qualified and capable individuals are appointed to key positions. It offers a thorough vetting process. However, confirmation can be slowed down by political considerations, leading to delays in filling important positions within the government.
Efficiency in oversight and confirmation can vary based on congressional dynamics, levels of partisanship, and individual committee members' dedication to their responsibilities.
2. Decentralization of Power in Congress:
In the past 30 years, power in Congress has become more decentralized due to various reasons:
- Partisan polarization: Growing ideological differences and increased party loyalty have led to more power being held by individual members rather than party leaders.
- Committee empowerment: Committees have gained more authority and autonomy, enabling members to address their constituents' specific needs and interests.
- Technology: Advancements in technology have allowed members to communicate directly with their constituents, leading to increased grassroots influence and decentralization.
- Campaign finance reforms: Stricter regulations on campaign financing have reduced the power of party leadership in fundraising, enhancing individual members' independence.
- Public opinion: The rise of social media and instant communication has increased public scrutiny and pressure on individual members, further decentralizing power.
- Term limits: Some states have imposed term limits on legislators, leading to a constant turnover of power and potential decentralization.
The results and effects of this significant decentralization include a greater diversity of voices in decision-making, increased opportunities for individual members to influence policy, and a potential for greater representativeness of constituents' interests. However, it may also lead to gridlock, less party discipline, and difficulty in passing comprehensive legislation.
3. Difficulty of Legislation in Congressional Committees:
Legislation can be challenging to get through the Congressional committee system for several reasons:
- Partisan politics: Committees are often split along party lines, making it challenging to reach consensus and pass legislation that satisfies both parties.
- Committee jurisdiction: Committees specialize in specific policy areas, resulting in numerous committees handling legislation relevant to a single issue. This fragmentation can slow down the process and create confusion.
- Interest group influence: Strong interest groups can exert pressure on committee members, either supporting or opposing legislation, making it harder to achieve a compromise.
- Complex legislative process: Committees have their own rules and procedures, and bills must meet specific criteria to advance. This complexity can frustrate the legislative process and lead to potential roadblocks.
Overall, the committee system allows for thorough examination and expertise in different areas of legislation, but it can make the process slower and more complicated.
4. Assessing Congress's Efficiency and Inefficiency:
The accusation that Congress is highly inefficient can be evaluated by considering various factors:
Examples of inefficiency include:
- Lengthy legislative processes: Bills often take a long time to move through committees, floor debate, and voting.
- Gridlock and partisan polarization: Divisions between parties at times hinder the ability to pass significant legislation on contentious issues.
- Delay in confirmations: Some high-level appointments can face lengthy confirmation processes.
However, it is important to note that inefficiency can also be a result of deliberate checks and balances built into the system to prevent hasty decision-making and safeguard against potential abuses of power.
Efficiency in Congress can also be found in:
- Passing routine legislation: Congress often manages to pass bills relating to routine matters with relatively smooth processes.
- Achieving compromise: Despite challenges, Congress occasionally achieves bipartisan cooperation and compromise, leading to the passage of important legislation.
Efficiency or inefficiency in Congress can depend on the specific issue being addressed, the level of bipartisanship, and the political climate at any given time.
I hope this helps you with your assignment! Let me know if you have any more questions.