Beyond Legislation: What Else Does Congress Do?

Today Constituency Service Oversight Investigation Impeachment Advice and Consent

Constituency Service Critical tool for reelection – part of the “incumbency advantage”

Oversight The “flip side” of the hearings during the legislative process Making sure your laws are being enforced the way you want them to be enforced If they’re not Amend the law to make your intent more clear Change/cut/increase funding

Investigations Must be related to an area in which you might conceivably legislate, but scope can be broad House Un-American Activities Committee and communism House Government Reform Committee and steroids in baseball Subpoena witnesses, jail for contempt

Impeachment President, VP, Executive Officials, Federal Judges Two steps Impeachment by House of Representatives Majority required for impeachment Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson actually impeached Trial by the Senate (w/ Chief Justice presiding) 2/3 vote required for conviction No president has ever been removed by this means Can only remove someone from office, no other penalty

Advice and Consent – The Role of the Senate Presidential appointments require Senate consent Majority approval required Federal judges All “major” executive officials Treaties also require Senate consent 2/3 approval required Presidents frequently bypass by using an executive agreement instead