15/15 - To what extent are the 2 chambers equal in Congress?
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Course
A2 Edexcel Government and Politics - US Politics
Institution
University Of Leeds (UoL)
Book
My Revision Notes: Edexcel A2 US Government
15/15 marker, marked by long-standing examiner. Includes 2014/2015 examples with flair points for full marks. Received 190/200 for A2 and Politics award for my year-group! Reviews appreciated :)
Josh Devos
To what extent are the 2 chambers of Congress equal in power? (15):
Are equal Role of legislation:
The main role of both chambers of congress is to legislate.
For a bill to be passed, both chambers need to agree on the same bill and vote.
The equality of their legislative roles EX: Government shutdown in 2013 was due to the House
Speaker not allowing a Senate-amended bill to be debated as it did not hold provisions to defund
ObamaCare. Shows how BOTH chambers need to agree.
As both are equal in legislative power, not having 1 party controlling both chambers leads to
gridlock as increased partisanship and polarization has occurred.
Both chambers also need to reach a supermajority (2/3) in order to override a presidential veto.
Veto on Obama’s Keystone Pipeline XL passed the House but fell short in the Senate
Other concurrent powers include both chambers’ ability to impeach and both chambers need to
agree to declare war, although the last time this happened was in 1941.
Both chambers also receive the same salaries.
Are not equal – Both chambers’ exclusive powers:
House:
Power to initiate money bills – House can threaten to not pass spending bills that leads to
government shutdowns.
They also have the power to impeach members of executive/judicial branches.
o Has happened 19 times since 1789, House impeached President Clinton.
Also have the power to elect the president in the event of an Electoral College deadlock where no
candidate receives a majority.
Senate:
Have the power to ratify treaties & nominate public officials, ambassadors and judges.
Any nomination that the President makes needs to be confirmed by senate, showing that the
Senate may be stronger than the house as they confirm respected positions in the 2 other branches
Flair: Senate has become more powerful in influencing the president’s nomination due to the
decrease in presidential deference by the Senate.
EX: Robert Bork did not get confirmed by the Senate for having extreme views and therefore,
Reagan had to nominate a more moderate Anthony Kennedy.
EX: The Senate also rejected the Treaty of Versailles twice.
The senate also has the ability to decide whether or not the person in question for impeachment is
guilty need 2/3rd majority in Senate to remove them from office.
Senate has more power – Individual senator power:
Senators serve a longer term (6 years vs 2 years) get more done and are less influenced about re-
incumbency every 2 years.
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