Which of the following legislative bodies comes CLOSEST in its functions to the Japanese House of Councillors?a.
the United States Senate
b.
the British House of Lords
c.
the Russian Duma
d.
the British House of Commons
The legislative body that comes closest in its functions to the Japanese House of Councillors is option A: the United States Senate. The Japanese House of Councillors and the United States Senate both serve as upper houses in their respective bicameral legislatures. They have similar functions, such as reviewing and deliberating on legislation and providing checks and balances to the lower house.
To determine which legislative body comes closest in its functions to the Japanese House of Councillors, let's examine the functions of each option and compare them to the House of Councillors.
a. The United States Senate: The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the U.S. Congress. It plays a role in making and passing laws, confirming presidential appointments, and ratifying treaties. Like the House of Councillors, it serves as a check on the lower house of the legislative body (the House of Representatives). However, the U.S. Senate differs from the House of Councillors in terms of its election process, as senators are elected directly by the people of each state.
b. The British House of Lords: The British House of Lords is the upper chamber of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It consists of appointed members, including life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers. Unlike the House of Councillors, the House of Lords does not have the power to veto legislation but can propose amendments and delay bills. Its primary role is to provide expertise and serve as a revising chamber, scrutinizing legislation passed by the House of Commons.
c. The Russian Duma: The Russian Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia. Unlike the House of Councillors, which is an upper chamber, the Duma has more similarities to the Japanese House of Representatives, which is the lower house in Japan. It has the power to propose and pass legislation, approve budgets, and confirm appointments. The Duma is directly elected by the people and represents their interests.
d. The British House of Commons: The British House of Commons is the lower chamber of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It consists of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected by the people. Similarly to the House of Councillors, the House of Commons has the power to propose and pass legislation, scrutinize the government, and represent the interests of the people. However, unlike the House of Councillors, the House of Commons is the more dominant chamber in the UK parliamentary system.
Based on the functions mentioned above, the option that comes closest to the Japanese House of Councillors is option a. the United States Senate. While there are some differences, such as the method of senatorial election, both the House of Councillors and the U.S. Senate play a role in lawmaking, provide checks and balances, and serve as a counterweight to the lower house.