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Congress:

Congress:. Staff and Agencies. Personal Staff: work directly for individual Senators and Reps. First 100 years, there was no staff. Job became too important, complex and staff was financed Made it more democratic…Why? Only wealthy could often afford to work or have own staff help. 3 Types:

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Congress:

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  1. Congress: Staff and Agencies

  2. Personal Staff: work directly for individual Senators and Reps • First 100 years, there was no staff. • Job became too important, complex and staff was financed • Made it more democratic…Why? • Only wealthy could often afford to work or have own staff help

  3. 3 Types: • Administrative Assistant (AA) – very important – runs office, schedule, deals with influential people • Legislative Assistants (LA) – keep lawmaker informed on bills, research, drafts & studies bills, assists in committees, keeps track of floor work/votes • Caseworkers – handle many requests for help from constituents

  4. Congressional Committees • They have a staff also… • Work for committees and are experts in the field • Write much of laws, study issues, collect and disperse info, write reports, plan hearings • Very influential!!

  5. Support Agencies • Library of Congress – Research service for Congress – massive and extensive

  6. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) – makes estimates on impacts of budgets, studies economic trends, cost projections, yearly reports • General Accounting Office (GAO) – • Reviews financial management of congressional programs, some legal opinions on bills • Government Printing Office – • Does all printing for government • Prints the Congressional Record • Prints Statistical Abstract of the U.S.

  7. Ch 6 Constitutional Powers

  8. Expressed Powers • The Enumerated Powers (Article 1, Section 8, clauses 1-18 • The 18th clause – necessary and proper clause – also called the Elastic Clause – • Has expanded Congress’ role and power • Loose v. Strict interpretation of the Constitution

  9. Powers denied… • Cannot suspend the writ of habeas corpus – (produce the body)gives jailed suspects the right to ask an appellate judge to set them free or order an end to improper jail conditions • No bills of attainder – (must have a trial) • No Ex post facto laws – can’t write laws to things illegal that were legal when the act occurred

  10. Legislative Powers • Tax and spending laws – must start in the House • Borrow and coin money • Regulate interstate and foreign commerce • Declare war (only 5 times), create a military, War Powers Act – 1973 – No more than 60 days without notifying Congress

  11. Non-Legislative Powers • Remove the President or any Federal Official (impeach) • Confirmation – confirm Presidential appointments • Amendment Powers – amend the Constitution • Investigate • Ratification – Ratify Treaties • Or Not

  12. Impeachment and Removal? • Article II, Section 4 – a president or other civl officer “shall be removed from office upon impeachment for and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors” • Impeachment proceedings start in the House of Reps • Determines if enough evidence exists for a Senate trial – • Senate needs a 2/3 vote to convict • Presided over by Chief Justice if it’s the President

  13. Pres. Clinton - 1998 • The Prez

  14. Congress can investigate! • If they feel something needs investigating they can do it. • Baseball steroids • GM Recall • HUAC?

  15. Congressional Powers • Subpoena – Legal summons to appear or produce documents • Perjury - Lying under oath • Contempt – willful obstruction of Congress • Immunity - Freedom from prosecution for witnesses

  16. Held in contempt

  17. Legislative Veto • it could review and cancel actions of executive agencies • Declared unconstitutional – 1983

  18. Legislative oversight • Reviewing Executive agencies – seeing how they are following thru with carrying out laws that Congress creates • Difficult: • No time • Not much political pop • Language of laws is often vague • Committees are often close to the federal agency – tough to criticize friends

  19. Legislative Reorganization Act 1946, 1970 • Congress can/must be watchful over executive agencies

  20. Checks and Balances • Can cause problems with anything actually getting done. • Congress is one party, President another

  21. Line-Item Veto • Allowed Pres. (Clinton) to veto just certain portions of bills • Was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1998 • Court declared that that power should only be given thru Constitutional Amendment

  22. All Bills require • The President’s signature • If vetoed then… • Congress can override with a • 2/3 vote

  23. Vetoes

  24. Cooperation or Conflict? • Fillibusters – talk as long as Senator wants, to stall an unwanted bill

  25. Gridlock

  26. Difficulty passing bills

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