The Congress - Assignment Example

The Congress Insert Insert Insert 14 October Introduction The accountability and the reliability of the law making organ of the governments largely determine the political situation of a country. Even though the role of the executives and the judiciary are equally important, the law making organs are very crucial. It is worth noting that if improper and ineffective laws are made, their effects also affect the judicial and the executive system of the government. It is vital for the constitution of every country to come up with proper policies that controls the performance of law making organs of the governments. This paper will analyze the composition of the congress, congress powers and privileges. The congress is the United States law making branch of the government. It consists of the house of representatives and the senate. In order to enact a legislation, the consent of both the house of representative and the senate must exist. Even though the two chambers work as a team as far as making of laws is concerned the US constitution grants specific power to each chamber1. For example, the house of representative roles include initiating of bills that are focused at raising the government revenue and cases related to impeachment while the senate is mandated with approving top appointments including presidential position. In addition, the senate makes the necessary decision on the impeachment cases. Powers of the congress The powers of the congress are set by the Article 1 of the United States Constitution. According to the constitution, congress has the authority to manage and formulate budgetary policies as well as to oversee collection of taxes. Some of the major taxes that the congress collects include excise and imports duties. Congress has also authority to appropriate funds. This power that is granted by the constitution is used as a check on the performance of the executive2. It is essential to note that even though the executives has the power to initiate any project approved by the congress, it is important to emulate checks and balances to avoid the misappropriation of the funds by the executive organ. Similarly, the congress is empowered to regulate trade activities between US and foreign countries. In addition, the congress has the power to borrow loans from international financial institutions on behalf of the government. In matters of national defense, the congress has authority to maintain armed forces, make rules applied by the military as well as to declare war. However, there have been critics on this role due to the interference by the executives especially in declaring war. Some of the past presidents have declared war without the consent of the congress. For example, in 1903, when military invaded Panama, Theodore Roosevelt the US president at that time did not seek the consent of the congress. Nevertheless, the congress assent was sought during the world war 1, Spanish-American conflict, World War 2 and Mexican-American War. Congress has the authority to issue copyrights and patents regulations on American based companies. Other important roles of the congress include the establishment of roads and post offices. According to the US constitution, the congress has powers to institute courts of laws that are under the supreme court3. It is also the duty of the congress to ensure that the roles that it makes concerning the foreign powers are effectively carried out and executed. Article four of the US constitution, that deal with the duties of each state and the roles of federal government on the states gives exclusive power to the congress on the admission of states into the united states of America. Even though congress is a legislative making body, it is also entitled to undertake the function of congressional oversight. This entails monitoring, supervision and reviewing of federal activities and policies and implementation of the executive programs. The congress carries out these duties through the congressional committee. Congressional committee Based on the wide range of duties vested on the congress by the constitution, the US congress has established a sub-organization that is responsible for handling specific functions. In addition to overseeing the functions of the executive, the congressional committee identifies aspects that are crucial to undertake a review on the legislation. After gathering and evaluating information from the members, the committee recommends effective legal policies that the congress need to emulate. In order to be more efficient the committee members have specialized skills to deal with issues under their jurisdiction. House committee In order to prepare and regulate orders of proceedings in the house, a house committee was first appointed in 1789. Other temporary based committee were formed that were responsible for reviewing definite aspects that concerned the entire house. Due to the need for more information and proper advice, specific committees were formed. A good example was the committee on ways and means that was enacted in 1789 during the conception of the treasury department4. The section below discusses other types of committee in the congress. Standing committee According to the house rule X, standing committee consist of permanent panels. The role of the standing committee is to establish bills and to forward important issues to the respective chambers for contemplation. In the same way, it is the role of standing committee to monitor programs and agencies that are within the committee jurisdiction. It is important to note that one of the most significant duty of the standing committee is to authorize the amount of funds needed to initiate new government programs or finance the existing ones. Within the standing committee there are other sub-committees such the budget and appropriation committee. The function of the budget committee is to determine the total revenue generated by the economy and the aggregate spending. On the other hand, appropriation committee gives recommendation that are vital for the establishment of legislations needed to prepare budget required before funds are appropriated to federal programs. Joint committee Joint committee is responsible for Housekeeping. For example, the printing duties in the government offices are regulated by the joint committee on printing. Being composed of members from senate and the house of representative, the leadership of the joint committee alternate between the chambers5. The compromise between the senate and the house of representative are drafted by the conference committee, which is a temporary joint committee. Select committee The major roles of select committee include conducting studies, consideration of effective measure to be undertaken by the congress on various issues and undertaking of investigations. In addition, the select committee scrutinizes issues that are not compatible with the jurisdiction of the standing committee. Privileges of the members of the congress According to the US constitution, congressmen and congresswomen enjoy various privileges that include freedom of speech during debate session, and freedom from arrest except for breach of the peace, felony as well as treason cases. However, the houses have their own regulations that may be used as a bases of punishing members who act against the set rules. Another notable benefit is that members of the congress enjoy is the franking privilege. Under this privilege, members of the congress can send mails and other official notifications leaving the costs of sending such information on the government. Conclusion The political stability experienced in US and the strict adherence of laws are based on the exclusive powers bestowed on the congress. Both the house of representative and the senate have a great role of formulating the federal budget and monitoring the government programs. Through the congressional committee, that is responsible for overseeing the performance of government agencies, the congress is able to make adequate legislation that are crucial for proper system of governance in US. Other types of committee that play vital role during formulation of laws include standing committee, joint committee and select committee. Even though members of the congress enjoy a number of privileges such as freedom of speech, they are liable to be punished if they commit treason and felony cases as well as breach of peace in the country. Based on the above discussion, the basic aspects involved in congress procedures are sessions, joint sessions as well as bills and resolutions. Bibliography Bianco, William. Congress on Display, Congress at Work. Michigan: University of Michigan Press, 2000. Hall, Kermit. The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992 Hamilton, Lee. How Congress Works and Why You Should Care, Oxford: Indiana University Press, 2004. James Madison .James Madison and the Federal Constitutional Convention of 1787 -- Engendering a National Government. New York: The Library of Congress, 1787. Wilson, Woodrow. Congressional Government. New York: Houghton Mifflin. 1885. Read More