1. Identify and explain the organization of the Legislature.
Our Legislature is bicameral which means it is divided into two chambers. This is done to weaken it's power because it is the strongest branch. It consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The house is made up of 435 members and has the authority to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the president in the case of an electoral college tie. The senate is made up of 100 members and they can confirm the presidents appointments, ratify treaties, and try impeachment cases for federal officials. 2. Identify and provide an example of the powers of the Legislature, both formal and informal.
Legislature can declare war. For example, congress declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941. One informal power of the Legislature as the power to do what is "necessary and proper." One example of this is the McCulloch vs Maryland case in which congress had attempted to create a national bank. The "necessary and proper" clause allowed them to do that.
3. Identify and explain how Congress shares powers with the Executive, Judiciary, and bureaucracy.
Congress works together with the other branches by keeping them in check. With Judiciary they have to confirm the officials appointed by them and can also deem laws unconstitutional. With the executive branch congress can override their vetoes and has to agree with things such as passing legislation and declaring war.
4. Discuss the implications of Congress sharing powers with each of the following: Executive, Judiciary, and bureaucracy.
Congressional oversight gives congress the power to be able to investigate and oversee the executive branch. This is important because congress has to approve the high officials that the President may appoint. This helps to prevent corruption. Again, with the judiciary branch has to confirm the judges. With bureaucracy, congress has to make sure that the federal bureaucracy is making appropriate rules, and that they are following the rules. This leads to rules regulation and fair rules for the people.
5. Discuss the functions that Congress performs.
Congress makes laws, revise them, and can add amendments to the constitution. They have congressional oversight of the president. These people represent the citizens by helping them, hearing what they have to say, and educating them.
6. Identify how the power of the Congress has/may evolve gradually.
The power of Congress has changed gradually because of increasing technology and also because they may acquire powers through the elastic clause which gives them powers they don't necessarily have. The elastic clause can also change their powers in the future.
7. Identify how the power of the Congress has/may changes dramatically as a result of crisis.
The power of Congress is dramatically reduced in times of crisis because decisions need to be made quick and having things go through congress would take to much time. In times of crisis the executive branch has power over congress and can make decisions without them in order to get results quickly.
8. Identify and discuss the ties between the Congress and political parties.
Congress contains members of both the Republican and Democratic Party. This means that both sides have to agree to get a bill passed. The President uses political parties to his advantage by selecting congress people of their own political party so that they will agree with his/her bills. 9. Identify and discuss the ties between the Congress and interest groups.
Congress use interest groups to help with their image. They choose interest groups/bills to sponsor based on the people that they want to appeal to. This allows the person to establish themselves within the people and hopefully aid them in their reelection.
10. Identify and discuss the ties between the Congress and media.
Congress can use the media to expand voter support and publicity on bills that they like. Any congress member can use media to show their support of a bill in order to get the eye of the public. This also helps the people because the media will keep the public informed with what bills Congress is passing and what Congress is debating about.
11. Identify and discuss the ties between the Congress and state and local governments.
Congress is influenced by state governments which have high representation and a similar political policy and local governments want to represent their district and constituents.