United States Congress

processes (Pinnell, Lecture, 29 Aug). Congress, also known as the Legislative Branch, has two parts: the Senate and House of Representatives. They come together to discuss what bills to form and make sure that those bills can become laws. The Judicial Branch, known as the highest court of this country, is responsible for interpreting laws, and to make sure that the laws are constitutional. The last branch, the Executive Branch is managed by the President of the United States, who is responsible…

One of the largest conflicts between the federal government and the state governments is the complicated situation of commerce, and when it is labelled as interstate commerce or intrastate commerce. State legislatures are allowed to enact legislation regulating intrastate commerce, but only the federal legislature can enact laws that regulate interstate commerce. The issue arises when a law whose design regulates intrastate commerce, but inevitably affects interstate commerce. This is the…

presidential election, and the president of the United States is widely acknowledged as the most powerful person in the world. However, I posit that the Congress is the true power behind the governing body that is the United States. The president is a figurehead and the deciding signature to all legislation passed by Congress. Congress is a complex governing body, and it currently struggles to get bills passed. Yet, the people of the United States still vote for representatives with the hope…

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expired in September 2015. The United States and African leaders explored the ways to improve the 14-year old legislation to make it more well-suited with the changing economic landscape in Africa. AGOA provides about 6,500 African products with preferential quota and duty-free access to the US market. The Act was renewed, enhanced and extended to 10 years by an act of Congress through AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015. However, the…

Daugherty, as well as the power to punish witnesses who do not comply. However, the precedent sent forth Kilbourn states that inquiries must not invade areas reserved to other branches of government, must deal with subjects of which Congress could legislate, and must be within the scope of a subject of congressional interest. The purpose of the committee…

convinced the government to create “an explicit statement of rights to secure the freedoms of the individuals and minorities for being violated by the federal government.” Henceforth the Bill of Rights was created in 1791, specifying in Amendment #1 that congress was not allowed to create any laws that limited the freedom of speech, or of the press, or prohibit the right of the people to assemble or petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The Sedition Act completely stripped the…

people observed. Jane observed that trust in the government is low because Congress does not act on anything substantial. She proposes the solution of replacing every incumbent, regardless of party. Jeff observed that people have a problem with the government, but Jeff blamed it on the “structure” of government. Now, as political arguments go, Jeff and Jane are both correct and incorrect. Jane is correct in that Congress does not act on much anything that is substantial. Jeff is correct in that…

Historically, congress job approval from American citizens has hit an all time low. (The Washington Post) The question that coincides with this fact is, does congress care what the people think? Some congressmen and women would simply say no, some would say yes, and some would say “it’s complicated.” A poll taken in March 2014 conducted by the Bipartisan Policy Center and USA today “showed Congress’ job approval rating at just 19 percent, while people gave their own representatives a 52 percent…

Congress is a large, complex system within the United States federal government. It consists of two chapters: Senate and the House of Representatives. Both chapters contain a number of seats available for elected members. Members are elected through direct election. There are a total of 535 seats, 435 seats for members of the House, and 100 seats for senators. Members in the House serve an unlimited amount of two year terms. Members can stay a lifetime in congress, as long as they are reelected.…

power to the people. “The Constitution’s framers structured the government so that Congress would be responsive to the needs and the will of the people. In representing their constituents, members of Congress provide an easily accessed point of contact for people to connect with their government and to have their voices heard” (Harrison, pg. 354). The question then lies, are the peoples voices really being heard? Congress generates its power from the media and the people. However, external and…