What Is the Function of the Us House of Representatives

The House of Representatives

The United States Business firm of Representatives is ane of the 2 houses of the United States Congress.

Learning Objectives

Talk over the organizational construction of the House of Representatives and the qualifications for its members

Fundamental Takeaways

Key Points

• The major power of the House is to pass federal legislation that affects the entire country although its bills must as well be passed past the Senate and farther agreed to past the U.Due south. President before condign constabulary.
• Each U.S. state is represented in the House in proportion to its population but is entitled to at to the lowest degree 1 representative. The virtually populous state, California, currently has 53 representatives.
• In some states, the Republican and Autonomous parties choose their candidates for each commune in their political conventions in bound or early summer, which often use unanimous voice votes to reverberate either confidence in the incumbent or because of bargaining in earlier individual discussions.
• The House uses committees and their subcommittees for a diverseness of purposes, including the review of bills and the oversight of the executive co-operative. The entire House formally makes the appointment of committee members, but the choice of members is actually made by the political parties.
• The Constitution empowers the Firm of Representatives to impeach federal officials for treason, bribery, or other loftier crimes and misdemeanors and empowers the Senate to try such impeachment.

Cardinal Terms

• impeachment: the act of impeaching a public official, either elected or appointed, before a tribunal charged with determining the facts of the thing.

The House of Representatives

Groundwork

The The states Firm of Representatives is ane of the two houses of the United states of america Congress (bicameral legislature). Information technology is frequently referred to as the Firm. The other house is the Senate.

United states of america Congress in Present Times: Using Weber'southward theory of stratification, members of the U.S. Congress are at the top of the social hierarchy because they have high ability and status, despite having relatively little wealth on average.

The composition and powers of the House are established in Article i of the United States Constitution. The major power of the House is to pass federal legislation that affects the unabridged country although its bills must as well be passed by the Senate and farther agreed to by the United States President before becoming police force (unless both the House and Senate re-pass the legislation with a two-thirds majority in each chamber). The House has several sectional powers: the power to initiate revenue bills, to impeach officials, and to elect the President in case at that place is no majority in the Electoral College.

Each U.S. land is represented in the House in proportion to its population but is entitled to at least one representative. The most populous state, California, currently has 53 representatives. Police fixes the total number of voting representatives at 435. Each representative serves for a two-twelvemonth term. The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, who presides over the chamber, is elected by the members of the Business firm, and is therefore traditionally the leader of the Business firm Democratic Caucus or the House Republican Conference, whichever of the ii Congressional Membership Organizations has more (voting) members.

Apportionment

The population of U.S. Representatives is allocated to each of the l states and DC, ranked past population. DC (ranked l) receives no seats in the Business firm. Nether Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, population, every bit determined by the census conducted every 10 years, apportions seats in the House of Representatives among us. Each country, however, is entitled to at least 1 Representative.

Qualifications

Article I, Section two of the Constitution sets three qualifications for representatives. Each representative must: (1) exist at least twenty-five years onetime; (2) take been a denizen of the United States for the past seven years; and (3) be (at the time of the election ) an inhabitant of the state they correspond. Members are not required to live in the district they represent, simply they traditionally do. The age and citizenship qualifications for representatives are less than those for senators. The constitutional requirements of Commodity I, Section 2 for ballot to Congress is the maximum requirements that can be imposed on a candidate. Therefore, Article I, Section 5, which permits each House to be the judge of the qualifications of its own members does non let either Business firm to establish additional qualifications. Likewise, a country could non institute additional qualifications.

Demographics

Congress is constantly changing, constantly in flux. In recent times, the American southward and due west have gained House seats according to demographic changes recorded by the census and includes more minorities and women although both groups are nonetheless underrepresented, according to one view. While ability balances among the unlike parts of government continue to modify, the internal structure of Congress is important to understand forth with its interactions with so-chosen intermediary institutions such as political parties, borough associations, interest groups, and the mass media.

Elections

Elections for representatives are held in every even-numbered year, on Election 24-hour interval the first Tuesday after the kickoff Monday in November. Representatives must be elected from unmarried-member districts by plurality voting.

In most states, major party candidates for each district are nominated in partisan primary elections, typically held in spring to late summertime. In some states, the Republican and Democratic parties cull their respective candidates for each district in their political conventions in spring or early on summertime. They often employ unanimous voice votes to reflect either confidence in the incumbent or as the result of bargaining in earlier private discussions.

Representatives and Delegates serve two-year terms, while the Resident Commissioner serves for four years. The Constitution permits the House to expel a member with a two-thirds vote. In the history of the Usa, but five members have been expelled from the Business firm.

The Senate

The Senate is composed of two senators from each state who are granted sectional powers to confirm appointments and place holds on laws.

Learning Objectives

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

Cardinal Takeaways

Key Points

• The limerick and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Two senators, regardless of population, represent each U.S. country. Senators serve staggered half-dozen-year terms.
• It has the power to consent to treaties as a precondition to their ratification and consenting or confirming appointments of Cabinet secretaries, federal judges, other federal executive officials, armed forces officers, regulatory officials, ambassadors, and other federal uniformed officers.
• 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.
• Senators serve terms of six years each; the terms are staggered so that approximately i-third of the seats are up for election every ii years.
• Senate procedure depends not simply on the rules, but also on a diverseness of customs and traditions. The Senate commonly waives some of its stricter rules by unanimous consent. Party leaders typically negotiate unanimous consent agreements beforehand.

Key Terms

• cloture: In legislative assemblies that permit unlimited debate (filibuster); a motion, procedure or rule, past which argue is ended and so that a vote may be taken on the matter. For instance, in the U.s. Senate, a three-fifths majority vote of the body is required to invoke cloture and terminate debate.
• bicameral: Having, or pertaining to, two dissever legislative chambers or houses.

Background

The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the The states, and together with the Usa Firm of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Two senators, regardless of population, represent each U.S. state. Senators serve staggered vi-year terms. The chamber of the United States Senate is located in the north wing of the Capitol, in Washington, D.C., the national upper-case letter.

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

The Senate has several exclusive powers not granted to the Firm. These include the ability to consent to treaties as a precondition to their ratification. The senate may as well consent to or ostend the appointment of Chiffonier secretaries, federal judges, other federal executive officials, military officers, regulatory officials, ambassadors, and other federal uniformed officers. The Senate is also responsible for trying federal 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 country'south consent. The District of Columbia and all other territories (including territories, protectorates, etc. ) are non entitled to representation in either House of the Congress. The Commune of Columbia elects two shadow senators, merely they are officials of the D.C. city government and non members of the U.S. Senate. The U.s.a. has had l 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: one) they must exist at least thirty years old, 2) they must have been citizens of the United States for at least the past nine years, and three) they must exist inhabitants of the states they seek to represent at the time of their election. The age and citizenship qualifications for senators are more than stringent than those for representatives. In Federalist No. 62, James Madison justified this organization by arguing that the "senatorial trust" chosen for a "greater extent of data and stability of graphic symbol. "

The Fourteenth Subpoena to the United States Constitution disqualifies from the Senate any federal or state officers who had taken the requisite oath to support the Constitution, but later engaged in rebellion or aided the enemies of the United States. This provision, which came into force before long after the end of the Ceremonious War, was intended to preclude those who had sided with the Confederacy from serving.

Term and Elections

Senators serve terms of six years each. The terms are staggered and then that approximately one-third of the seats are up for election every two years. This was achieved past dividing the senators of the 1^st Congress into thirds (chosen classes), where the terms of one-third expired after two years, the terms of another third expired after four, and the terms of the terminal third expired subsequently six years. This arrangement was too followed afterward the access of new states into the union. The staggering of terms has been arranged such that both seats from a given land are not contested in the same general election, except when a mid-term vacancy is being filled. Current senators whose six-year terms expire on January 3, 2013, belong to Class I.

Daily Procedures

Senate process depends not merely on the rules, merely too on a variety of customs and traditions. The Senate commonly waives some of its stricter rules by unanimous consent. Party leaders typically negotiate unanimous consent agreements beforehand. A senator may block such an agreement, simply in do, objections are rare. The presiding officer enforces the rules of the Senate, and may warn members who deviate from them. The presiding officer sometimes uses the gavel of the Senate to maintain order.

A "hold" is placed when the leader'due south office is notified that a senator intends to object to a request for unanimous consent from the Senate to consider or laissez passer a measure. A hold may be placed for any reason and can be lifted past a senator at any time. A senator may identify a agree simply to review a nib, to negotiate changes to the bill, or to impale the beak. A bill tin can be held for as long as the senator who objects to the bill wishes to cake its consideration.

Holds tin can be overcome, but crave time-consuming procedures such every bit filing cloture. Holds are considered individual communications between a senator and the Leader, and are sometimes referred to as "undercover holds". A senator may disclose that he or she has placed a hold.

The House and the Senate: Differences in Responsibilities and Representation

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

Learning Objectives

Compare and contrast the construction and limerick of the House and Senate

Primal Takeaways

Key Points

• Congress is split up into two chambers—the House of Representatives and Senate. Congress writes national legislation by dividing work into divide committees which specialize in different areas. Some members of Congress are elected past their peers to be officers of these committees.
• The disparity between the most and to the lowest degree populous states has grown since the Connecticut Compromise, which granted each state ii members of the Senate and at least one fellow member of the Firm of Representatives, for a total minimum of three presidential Electors, regardless of population.
• The Senate has several singled-out powers. The "advice and consent " powers, such as the ability to approve treaties, are a sole Senate privilege. The Firm, all the same, tin can initiate spending bills and has exclusive authority to impeach officials and choose the President in an Electoral College deadlock.
• The Senate and House are further differentiated by term lengths and the number of districts represented. With longer terms, fewer members and (in all simply seven delegations) larger constituencies, senators may receive greater prestige.

Key Terms

• gerrymandering: The do of redrawing electoral districts to gain an balloter advantage for a party.
• apportionment: It is the process of allocating the political power of a set of constituent voters amongst their representatives in a governing body.

Background

Congress is split into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress writes national legislation by dividing work into separate committees which specialize in different areas. Some members of Congress are elected by their peers to be officers of these committees. Ancillary organizations such as the Authorities Accountability Office and the Library of Congress provide Congress with information, and members of Congress have staff and offices to assistance them. Additionally, a vast industry of lobbyists helps members write legislation on behalf of various corporate and labor interests.

Senate Apportionment and Representation

The Constitution stipulates that no constitutional amendment may exist created to deprive a state of its equal suffrage in the Senate without that state'south consent. The District of Columbia and all other territories (including territories, protectorates, etc.) are not entitled to representation in either House of the Congress. The District of Columbia elects two shadow senators, simply they are officials of the D.C. city government and not members of the U.S. Senate. The United States has had fifty states since 1959, so the Senate has had 100 senators since 1959.

The disparity between the about and to the lowest degree populous states has grown since the Connecticut Compromise, which granted each state 2 members of the Senate and at least ane member of the House of Representatives, for a total minimum of iii presidential Electors, regardless of population. This means some citizens are finer an order of magnitude improve represented in the Senate than those in other states. For example, in 1787, Virginia had roughly x times the population of Rhode Island. Today, California has roughly 70 times the population of Wyoming, based on the 1790 and 2000 censuses. Seats in the House of Representatives are approximately proportionate to the population of each land, reducing the disparity of representation.

Firm of Representatives Apportionment and Representation

Under Article I, Department 2 of the Constitution, seats in the House of Representatives are apportioned among u.s. by population, as adamant by the demography conducted every ten years. Each state, nevertheless, is entitled to at least one Representative.

The only constitutional rule relating to the size of the House reads, "The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand. Congress regularly increased the size of the House to business relationship for population growth until it fixed the number of voting House members at 435 in 1911. The number was temporarily increased to 437 in 1959 upon the admission of Alaska and Hawaii, seating one representative from each of those states without changing existing circulation, and returned to 435 four years later, afterwards the reapportionment consistent to the 1960 census.

The Constitution does not provide for the representation of the District of Columbia or territories. The Commune of Columbia and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are represented past one not-voting consul each. Puerto Rico elects a Resident Commissioner, but other than having a four-twelvemonth term, the Resident Commissioner'south role is identical to the delegates from the other territories. The five Delegates and Resident Commissioner may participate in debates. Prior to 2011, they were also immune to vote in committees and the Committee of the Whole when their votes would non exist decisive.

States that are entitled to more than one Representative are divided into single-fellow member districts. This has been a federal statutory requirement since 1967. Prior to that law, general ticket representation was used past some states. Typically, states redraw these district lines subsequently each demography, though they may practise so at other times. Each land determines its own commune boundaries, either through legislation or through non- partisan panels. Disproportion in representatives is unconstitutional and districts must be approximately equal in. The Voting Rights Act prohibits states from gerrymandering districts.

Gerrymandering Comparison: In this example, the more even distribution is on the left and the gerrymandered distribution is on the correct.

Comparison to the Senate

As a check on the popularly elected House, the Senate has several singled-out powers. For case, the "advice and consent" powers are a sole Senate privilege. The House, however, tin initiate spending bills and has exclusive authority to impeach officials and choose the President in an Balloter College deadlock. The Senate and House are farther differentiated by term lengths and the number of districts represented. Different the Senate, the Firm is more hierarchically organized, with leadership roles such as the Whips and the Minority and Bulk leaders playing a bigger part. Moreover, the procedure of the House depends non but on the rules, but also on a multifariousness of customs, precedents, and traditions. In many cases, the House waives some of its stricter rules (including time limits on debates) by unanimous consent. With longer terms, fewer members and (in all just seven delegations) larger constituencies, senators may receive greater prestige. The Senate has traditionally been considered a less partisan chamber considering it's relatively pocket-size membership might have a better chance to broker compromises.

The Legislative Office

The Business firm and Senate are equal partners in the legislative process; legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers.

Learning Objectives

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

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• Commodity 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 Firm of Representatives. Both are equal partners in the legislative procedure; legislation can't be enacted without both their consent.
• Congress has implied powers deriving from the Constitution's Necessary and Proper Clause which permit Congress to "make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution…".
• Legislative, oversight, and internal administrative tasks are divided among about two hundred committees and subcommittees which assemble data, evaluate alternatives, and identify problems.

Key Terms

• Necessary and Proper Clause: the provision in Article 1 of the U.s.a. Constitution, section 8, clause 18, which states that Congress has the ability "to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper" for executing its duties
• bypass: It is to avoid an obstacle etc, by amalgam or using a bypass.
• legislative: That branch of government which is responsible for making, or having the ability to make, a law or laws.

Groundwork

Commodity I of the Constitution states all legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United states of america, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Firm and Senate are equal partners in the legislative process—legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers. All the same, the Constitution grants each bedroom some unique powers. The Senate ratifies treaties and approves presidential appointments while the House initiates revenue-raising bills. The Firm initiates impeachment cases, while the Senate decides impeachment cases. A two-thirds vote of the Senate is required before an impeached person can be forcibly removed from office.

Congress has implied powers deriving from the Constitution'southward Necessary and Proper Clause which permit Congress to "make all laws which shall exist necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the regime of the Us, or in any section or officeholder thereof. " Broad interpretations of this clause and of the Commerce Clause, the enumerated power to regulate commerce, in rulings such as McCulloch five Maryland have finer widened the scope of Congress's legislative authority far beyond that prescribed in Section 8.

Congress Overseeing the Executive Branch

One of Congress'south foremost non-legislative functions is the power to investigate and oversee the executive branch. Congressional oversight is normally delegated to committees and is facilitated by Congress's subpoena power. Some critics have charged that Congress has, in some instances, failed to do an adequate job of overseeing the other branches of government. In the Plame affair, critics, including Representative Henry A. Waxman, charged that Congress was not doing an adequate task of oversight in this case. In that location have been concerns about congressional oversight of executive actions such every bit warrantless wiretapping, although others respond that Congress did investigate the legality of presidential decisions.

Congress also has the sectional power of removal, allowing impeachment and removal of the president, federal judges and other federal officers. There accept been charges that presidents interim under the doctrine of the unitary executive accept assumed important legislative and budgetary powers that should belong to Congress. So-called 'signing statements' are ane way in which a president tin can "tip the residual of power between Congress and the White House a picayune more in favor of the executive co-operative," according to one account. Past presidents, including Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush have made public statements when signing congressional legislation virtually how they empathise a nib or program to execute it, and commentators including the American Bar Association have described this do as against the spirit of the Constitution. There have been concerns that presidential authority to cope with financial crises is eclipsing the power of Congress

The impeachment trial of President Clinton: Flooring proceedings of the U.S. Senate, in session during the impeachment trial of Neb Clinton.

Ability in Committees

Committees write legislation. While procedures such as the House discharge petition procedure can introduce bills to the House floor and finer bypass committee input, they are exceedingly hard to implement without commission action. Committees have power and take been called ' independent fiefdoms'. Legislative, oversight, and internal administrative tasks are divided among well-nigh two hundred committees and subcommittees which gather information, evaluate alternatives, and identify problems. They advise solutions for consideration past the full bedchamber. They also perform the part of oversight by monitoring the executive branch and investigating wrongdoing.

Bills and resolutions

In order to course a beak or resolution, first the House Financial Services commission meets. Commission members sit in the tiers of raised chairs, while those testifying and audition members sit down below. Ideas for legislation can come from members, lobbyists, state legislatures, constituents, legislative counsel, or executive agencies. Ordinarily, the next footstep is for the proposal to be passed to a committee for review. A submitted proposal unremarkably takes one of the following forms:

• A bill, which is a law in the making.
• A joint resolution, which differs little from a nib since both are treated similarly. Notwithstanding, a articulation resolution originates from the Firm.
• A Concurrent Resolutions, which affects both House and Senate and thus are not presented to the president for approval later on.
• Simple resolutions, which concern only the House or simply the Senate.

The Representation Function

A compromise plan was adopted where representatives were called by the population and 2 senators were called by land governments.

Learning Objectives

Describe the effect of the Connecticut Compromise

Key Takeaways

Central Points

• Since 1787, the population disparity between big and pocket-size states has grown. For instance, in 2006 California had 70 times the population of Wyoming.
• Critics, such equally 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 small states.
• The Connecticut Compromise gave every land, large and small-scale, an equal vote in the Senate. Since each country has two senators, residents of smaller states have more clout in the Senate than residents of larger states.
• Providing services helps members of Congress win votes considering elections can make a difference in close races. Congressional staff can help citizens navigate government bureaucracies.

Key Terms

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

Background

The two-chamber structure had functioned well in state governments. A compromise plan was adopted and representatives were chosen by the population which benefited larger states. 2 senators were chosen by state governments which benefited smaller states.

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

Congress Hall Committee Room in Philadelphia: The 2nd commission room upstairs in Congress Hall, Philadelphia, PA.

Critics, such as 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 small states. However, others argue that the framers intended for the Connecticut Compromise to construct the Senate then that each land had equal footing that was not based on population. Critics fence that the result is successful for maintaining balance.

Members and Constituents

A major role for members of Congress is providing services to constituents. Constituents request help with issues. Providing services helps members of Congress win votes because elections can brand a deviation in shut races. Congressional staff can help citizens navigate authorities bureaucracies. One bookish described the complex intertwined relation betwixt lawmakers and constituents as "abode style. "

Congressional Mode

According to political scientist Richard Fenno, in that location are specific ways to categorize lawmakers. First, is if they are generally motivated by reelection: these are lawmakers who never met a voter they did non like and provide excellent constituent services. Second, is if they take good public policy: these are legislators who burnish a reputation for policy expertise and leadership. Third, is if they have ability in the bedroom: these are lawmakers who spend serious fourth dimension along the rail of the House flooring or in the Senate cloakroom ministering to the needs of their colleagues.

Service to Constituents

A major part for members of Congress is providing services to constituents.

Learning Objectives

Summarize the services Congresspersons and their staff provide constituents

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• A major role for members of Congress is providing services to constituents. Constituents request assistance with problems. Providing services helps members of Congress win votes and elections and can make a divergence in close races.
• The member's constituency, important regional bug, prior background and feel may influence the selection of specialty. Senators oftentimes choose a different specialty from that of the other senator from their state to prevent overlap.
• Senators often choose a different specialty from that of the other senator from their state to forestall overlap. Some committees specialize in running the business of other committees and exert a powerful influence over all legislation.

Cardinal Terms

• constituency: An interest group or fan base.

Groundwork

A major function for members of Congress is providing services to constituents. Constituents asking assistance with problems. Providing services helps members of Congress win votes and elections and can make a difference in close races. Congressional staff can assist citizens navigate authorities bureaucracies. One bookish described the complex intertwined human relationship between lawmakers and constituents equally "habitation style. "

Committees investigate specialized subjects and advise the entire Congress about choices and trade-offs. The fellow member's constituency, important regional issues, and prior background and experience may influence the choice of specialty. Senators frequently choose a dissimilar specialty from that of the other senator from their land to foreclose overlap. Some committees specialize in running the business of other committees and exert a powerful influence over all legislation; for example, the House Ways and Ways Committee have considerable influence over Firm affairs.

2004 Presidential Election by County: This map shows the vote 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.due east., cities) are blue. Notable exceptions include the Pacific coast; New England; the Black Belt, areas with loftier Native American populations; and the heavily Hispanic parts of the Southwest.

Congressional Mode

One way to categorize lawmakers, co-ordinate to political scientist Richard Fenno, is past their general motivation:

• re-election, these are lawmakers who "never met a voter they did non like" and provide excellent constituent services
• skilful public policy, legislators who brighten a reputation for policy expertise and leadership
• power in the bedroom, lawmakers who spend serious time along the rail of the House floor or in the Senate cloakroom ministering to the needs of their colleagues – famous legislator Henry Clay in the mid-nineteenth century was described as an "consequence entrepreneur" who looked for bug to serve his ambitions
• gridlock, unless Congress can begin to work together through compromise, each fellow member will be removed, past one means or another (i.e., by CPA).

The Oversight Function

The United States Congress has oversight of the Executive Branch and other U.S. federal agencies.

Learning Objectives

Depict congressional oversight and the varied bases whence its potency 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 power largely through its congressional committee arrangement. Nevertheless, oversight, which dates to the earliest days of the Commonwealth, too occurs in a wide variety of congressional activities and contexts.
• It is implied in the legislature 'due south say-so, among other powers and duties, to appropriate funds, enact laws, raise and back up armies, provide for a Navy, declare war, and impeach and remove from office the President, Vice President, and other civil officers.

Key Terms

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

Background

Congressional oversight refers to oversight past the United States Congress of the Executive Branch, including the numerous U.S. federal agencies. Congressional oversight is the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation. Congress exercises this power largely through its congressional committee arrangement. However, oversight, which dates to the earliest days of the Republic, as well occurs in a wide multifariousness of congressional activities and contexts. These include authorization, appropriations, investigative, and legislative hearings by continuing committees; specialized investigations by select committees; and reviews and studies by congressional support agencies and staff.

Congress's oversight say-so derives from its "implied" powers in the Constitution, public laws, and House and Senate rules. It is an integral part of the American system of checks and balances.

Study on the Organization of Congress

Oversight is an implied rather than an enumerated power under the U.S. Constitution. The government 'south charter does not explicitly grant Congress the authorization to conduct inquiries or investigations of the executive, to have access to records or materials held by the executive, or to consequence subpoenas for documents or testimony from the executive.

There was little discussion of the power to oversee, review, or investigate executive activity at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 or later on in the Federalist Papers, which argued in favor of ratification of the Constitution. The lack of argue was because oversight and its attendant dominance were seen as an inherent ability of representative assemblies, which enacted public police.

Oversight also derives from the many, varied express powers of the Congress in the Constitution. Information technology is implied in the legislature'southward authority, among other powers and duties, to appropriate funds, enact laws, raise and support armies, provide for a Navy, declare war, and impeach and remove from office the President, Vice President, and other ceremonious officers. Congress could not reasonably or responsibly exercise these powers without knowing what the executive was doing; how programs were being administered, by whom, and at what cost; and whether officials were obeying the law and complying with legislative intent.

The Supreme Courtroom of the U.s.a. made the oversight powers of Congress legitimate, subject to constitutional safeguards for civil liberties, on several occasions. For instance, in 1927 the Loftier Court institute that in investigating the administration of the Justice Department, Congress was considering a bailiwick "on which legislation could exist had or would exist materially aided past the data which the investigation was calculated to arm-twist. "

Activities and Avenues

Oversight occurs through a wide diversity of congressional activities and avenues. Some of the near publicized are the comparatively rare investigations past select committees into major scandals or executive co-operative operations gone amiss. Examples are temporary select committee inquiries into: China's conquering of U.S. nuclear weapons information, 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 kind of oversight goes back two centuries: in 1792, a special House committee investigated the defeat of an Regular army force by confederated Indian tribes.

Jim Greenwood Committee Chair: Congressman Jim Greenwood, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, gavels to starting time the hearing on human cloning.

The Public-Educational activity Function of Congress

The Library of Congress provides public information and educates the public about legislation amidst other general information.

Learning Objectives

Give examples of the various roles the Library Congress plays in public education

Key Takeaways

Cardinal Points

• Putnam focused his efforts on making the Library more 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 concluding resort".
• Based in the Progressive era 's philosophy of science as a problem-solver, and modeled after successful research branches of state legislatures, the LRS would provide informed answers to Congressional research inquiries on nigh any topic.
• The library is open up to the general public for bookish enquiry and tourists. But those who are issued a Reader Identification Carte du jour may enter the reading rooms and access the drove.

Key Terms

• endowment: The invested funds of a non-for-profit institution.

Background

The Library of Congress, spurred past the 1897 reorganization, began to grow and develop more than rapidly. Herbert Putnam held the part for forty years from 1899 to 1939, inbound into the position two years before the Library became the outset in the United States to concur one one thousand thousand volumes. Putnam focused his efforts on making the Library more 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 final resort. Putnam as well expanded Library access to "scientific investigators and duly qualified individuals" and began publishing primary sources for the benefit of scholars.

Library of Congress: The collections of the Library of Congress include more than 32 million cataloged books and other impress materials in 470 languages; more than 61 million manuscripts.

Putnam's tenure also saw increasing diversity in the Library'southward acquisitions. In 1903, he persuaded President Theodore Roosevelt to transfer by executive order the papers of the Founding Fathers from the State Section to the Library of Congress. Putnam expanded strange acquisitions every bit well.

In 1914, Putnam established the Legislative Reference Service every bit a separative administrative unit of the Library. Based in the Progressive era's philosophy of science as a problem-solver, and modeled after successful research branches of state legislatures, the LRS would provide informed answers to Congressional research inquiries on about any topic. In 1965, Congress passed an act allowing the Library of Congress to institute a trust fund lath to accept donations and endowments, giving the Library a function as a patron of the arts.

The Library received the donations and endowments of prominent individuals such as John D. Rockefeller, James B. Wilbur and Archer M. Huntington. Gertrude Clarke Whittall donated five Stradivarius violins to the Library and Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge's donations paid for a concert hall inside the Library of Congress building and the establishment of an honorarium for the Music Division. A number of chairs and consultantships were established from the donations, the all-time known of which is the Poet Laureate Consultant.

Library of Congress Expansion

The Library's expansion eventually filled the Library's Master Building, despite shelving expansions in 1910 and 1927, forcing the Library to expand into a new construction. Congress acquired nearby state in 1928 and canonical construction of the Annex Building (later the John Adams Building) in 1930. Although delayed during the Depression years, it was completed in 1938 and opened to the public in 1939.

When Putnam retired in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Archibald MacLeish equally his successor. Occupying the post from 1939 to 1944 during the meridian of World War II, MacLeish became the most visible Librarian of Congress in the Library'south history. MacLeish encouraged librarians to oppose totalitarianism on behalf of democracy; dedicated the Southward Reading Room of the Adams Building to Thomas Jefferson, commissioning artist Ezra Winter to paint four themed murals for the room; and established a "democracy alcove" in the Main Reading Room of the Jefferson Building for of import documents such equally the Declaration, Constitution and Federalist Papers.

Fifty-fifty the Library of Congress assisted during the war effort. These efforts ranged from the storage of the Announcement of Independence and the United states Constitution in Fort Knox for safekeeping to researching weather data on the Himalayas for Air Force pilots. MacLeish resigned in 1944 to become Assistant 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 financial-minded Congress would let, merely his main achievement was the creation of Library of Congress Missions effectually the world. Missions played a variety of roles in the postwar world: the mission in San Francisco assisted participants in the coming together that established the Un, the mission in Europe acquired European publications for the Library of Congress and other American libraries, and the mission in Japan aided in the creation of the National Nutrition Library.

In 2016, Dr. Carla Hayden was appointed equally the 14th Librarian of Congress, the showtime woman, and the first African-American to serve in the position.The library is open up to the general public for academic research and tourists. Just those who are issued a Reader Identification Card may enter the reading rooms and access the collection. The Reader Identification Bill of fare is available in the Madison building to persons who are at least sixteen years of age upon presentation of a government issued picture identification (due east.m. driver's license, state ID carte du jour or passport). However, only members of Congress, Supreme Courtroom Justices, their staff, Library of Congress staff and sure other authorities officials may really remove items from the library buildings. Members of the general public with Reader Identification Cards must 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 interlibrary loan from the Library of Congress if these items are not readily available elsewhere.

The Conflict-Resolution Function

Both the Senate and the Firm have a conflict-resolution procedure before a neb is passed as a slice of legislation.

Learning Objectives

Summarize the steps by which a bill becomes police force

Key Takeaways

Fundamental Points

• Representatives introduce a neb while the House is in session by placing it in the hopper on the Clerk'south desk-bound. It is assigned a number and referred to a commission. The committee studies each beak intensely at this stage.
• Each bill goes through several stages in each house including consideration past a committee and advice from the Government Accountability Office. Most legislation is considered by standing committees, which take jurisdiction over a particular subject such as Agriculture or Appropriations.
• Once a bill is approved past one house, it is sent to the other firm which may pass, refuse, or amend it. For the bill to become law, both houses must agree to identical versions of the bill.
• After passing through both houses, a neb is sent to the president for approval. The president may sign it making it police or veto information technology and return it to Congress with his objections. A vetoed bill tin however become law if each house of 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 past ignoring it. This maneuver is known as a pocket veto. It cannot exist overridden by the adjourned Congress.

Key Terms

• appropriation: Public funds set bated for a specific purpose.
• amend: To make a formal amending in legislation by adding, deleting, or rephrasing.

Groundwork

Representatives innovate a beak while the Firm is in session by placing it in the hopper on the Clerk'south desk. It is assigned a number and referred to a commission. At this stage, the committee studies each beak intensely. Drafting statutes requires "great skill, knowledge, and experience" and tin sometimes have a year or more. On occasion, lobbyists write legislation and submit information technology to a member for introduction. Joint resolutions are the normal way to propose a constitutional amendment or declare war. On the other hand, concurrent resolutions (passed past both houses) and uncomplicated resolutions (passed by only one business firm) do non take the strength of constabulary, merely they express the opinion of Congress or regulate procedure. Whatsoever member of either house may introduce bills. Still, the Constitution provides states that: All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. While the Senate cannot originate revenue and appropriation bills, it has the power to better or turn down them. Congress has sought ways to found advisable spending levels.

Bill and Resolutions

Each bill goes through several stages in each firm including consideration by a committee and advice from the Regime Accountability Office. Virtually legislation is taken into consideration past standing committees, which take jurisdiction over a particular subject such as Agriculture or Appropriations. The House has twenty standing committees; the Senate has 16. Continuing committees see at to the lowest degree one time each calendar month. Nigh all standing committee meetings for transacting business organisation must exist open up to the public unless the commission publicly votes to close the meeting. A committee might phone call for public hearings on important bills. A chair who belongs to the bulk party and a ranking member of the minority party pb each committee. Witnesses and experts can present their case for or confronting a bill. Then, a nib may go to what is called a mark-upwardly session where committee members fence the bill'southward merits. The commission members may offer amendments or revisions. Committees may also improve the bill, but the full firm holds the power to have or decline committee amendments. After debate, the committee votes whether it wishes to written report the measure to the total firm. If a bill is tabled, then it is rejected. If amendments are extensive, sometimes a new bill with amendments congenital in will exist submitted equally a and then-called "clean bill" with a new number. Generally, members who have been in Congress longer take greater seniority and therefore greater power.

U.South. House Committee: The House Financial Services Committee meets. Committee members sit in the tiers of raised chairs, while individuals testifying and audience members sit beneath.

A pecker, that reaches the floor of the full house, tin can be elementary or complex. It begins with an enacting formula such as "Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the U.s. in Congress assembled. " Consideration of a bill requires, itself, a rule which is a simple resolution specifying the particulars of contend—fourth dimension limits, possibility of further amendments, and such. Each side has equal time and members can yield to other members who wish to speak. Sometimes opponents seek to recommit a bill, which ways to change part of information technology. Generally, discussion requires a quorum, usually half of the full number of representatives, before discussion tin can begin, although there are exceptions. The house may argue and meliorate the beak. The precise procedure used past the Firm and Senate differs. A final vote on the bill follows.

Once a bill is approved by 1 house, information technology is sent to the other which may pass, refuse, or better it. For the bill to become law, both houses must agree to identical versions of the bill. If the second house amends the bill, and so the differences between the two versions must exist reconciled in a conference committee. This is an ad hoc committee that includes both senators and representatives and uses a reconciliation procedure to limit budget bills. Both Houses use a budget enforcement mechanism informally known equally "pay-equally-you lot-go" or "pay-go" which discourages members from because acts which increment budget deficits. If both houses hold to the version reported by the conference committee, the bill passes, otherwise information technology fails.

The Constitution, still, requires a recorded vote if demanded by one-fifth of the members present. If the voice vote is unclear or if the matter is controversial, a recorded vote usually happens.

Later on passage by both houses, a bill is enrolled and sent to the president for approval. The president may sign it making information technology police force. If the bill is vetoed, the president returns it to Congress with his objections. A vetoed nib tin yet go law if each house of Congress votes to override the veto with a two-thirds majority. However, if Congress is adjourned during this period, the president may veto legislation passed at the cease of a congressional session simply past ignoring it. This maneuver is known equally a pocket veto. It cannot exist overridden by the adjourned Congress.

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

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