American Govt

1. Explain the constitutional duties of the House and Senate, and highlight the importance of the committee system in the legislative process. What role do you think seniority plays in what committees a member is placed on? Is this a good system? Why or why not?

2. The President’s power has expanded considerably since the Constitution was written. Argue for or against the President’s need for these powers, naming specific powers to support and defend your argument. Is the executive too strong, or too weak?

(Part 2): Reply to ALL 3 of the below post, each must be 1 full paragraph (4-5 sentences). THERE SHOULD BE A TOTAL OF 3 PARAGRAPHS.

American Govt

1. First of all there are two chambers in Congress, the House (made of 435 members) and the Senate (made of 100 members). Members of both chambers are elected by and represent the people. The House members-House of Representatives-are elected by and represents limited groups of citizens living in small geographically defined districts within each state. The main duty of the House is to adopt legislation that changes federal law. But it also initiates tax increases or spending proposals. The House members are the ones who set in motion impeachment proceedings on public figures such as presidents and Supreme Court justices (it's up to the Senate to bring these proceedings into a trial setting). The House also decides on taxes and spending as well as it chooses the President in case no candidate has received majority in the Electoral College. Since the House sets the impeachment proceedings, members decides whether the President or other federal officials should be indicted and tried by the Senate.The Senate, labeled the "better half" of the nation's legislative body, is sometimes referred to as the "upper house." As stated in the study guide, the Senate with less members has a broader constituency, unlike the house with a narrower constituency. Like the House, the Senate spends much of their time considering legislation and passing new laws. The Senate is responsible for other important duties not shared by House, such as approving treaties with foreign government, passing judgment on officials impeached by the House, and confirming appointments by the President to the U.S. Supreme Court.Being 18 years old with no seniority, it shouldn't matter the role of seniority to which committee you are placed on as long as you can perform and get the job done. On the other hand I do feel since the Senate is a six year term, I do think a person of younger years and sharper mind would be a asset...maybe. I have seen some people with seniority(50 yo>) perform better at jobs than people with less seniority (50 yo<). So my opinion is that it's not a good system because although life supposed to bring experiences and more knowledge it also brings weirdos with a hollow head (no brain).

2. The Constitution assigned to Congress responsibility for organizing the executive and judicial branches, raising revenue, declaring war, and making all laws necessary for executing these powers. The president is permitted to veto specific legislative acts, but Congress has the authority to override presidential vetoes by two-thirds majorities of both houses. The Constitution also provides that the Senate advise and consent on key executive and judicial appointments and on the ratification of treaties.For over two centuries the Constitution has remained in force because its framers successfully separated and balanced governmental powers to safeguard the interests of majority rule and minority rights, of liberty and equality, and of the central and state governments. More a concise statement of national principles than a detailed plan of governmental operation, the Constitution has evolved to meet the changing needs of a modern society profoundly different from the eighteenth-century world in which its creators lived.The role that I think seniority plays in the committees member is by far, the single most prestigious role where seniority is the only factor considered, is President pro tempore of the Senate. The Senator of the majority party with most tenure always fills the position. After that, the largest role seniority plays in both the House and Senate, is in the committees. Seniority not only gives you priority on committees you want to serve on, but also a position the more prestigious committees. Your position on each committee is based on seniority. Only those with years of seniority are appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means, or Senate Finance committees. Seniority plays a big role on who the Chairman (from the majority party) and Ranking member (minority party) of the committees are.Sometimes when there's disagreement on a bill the President wants passed, he will call members of Congress from the House and/or Senate to meet with him. It's generally the more seasoned members that are part of the group the President summons.Finally to a lesser extent, but still a major factor seniority plays a role, is majority and minority leaders, House and Senate Whips, and Speaker of the House.In my opinion I think the seniority plays a good system by favoring smaller states and districts where one party predominates. When these states repeatedly reelect the same senators and representatives, they gain political power in Congress as those members advance in seniority to become committee chairs and ranking members.

3. The constitutional duties of the two chambers (House and Senate) are different in at least a few important ways. Each state’s representation is in proportion to its population The House (House of Representatives) alone has the right to originate revenue bills. The House has the power of impeachment: the power formally to charge the president, vice president, and other “civil officers” of the national government with serious crimes.The Senate is empowered to act as a court to try impeachments, with the chief justice of Supreme Court presiding. A two-thirds majority vote of the senators present is necessary for conviction. The Constitution gives the senate power to approve major presidential appointments (such as to federal judgeships, ambassadorships, and cabinet posts) and treaties with foreign nations.I think seniority plays a huge and important role in what committee a member is placed on. Seniority is years of consecutive service on a particular congressional committee. Seniority starts once a member is sworn in. The longer a member serves the more seniority they obtain within their committees. Within the committees, seniority gives an individual a higher sense of importance and a step forward in a higher position within the committee. For example, before ever becoming a senator the individual must serve as a state governor and work or “serve” their way up. I think this is a great system because the individual is able to obtain needed experience and situational experience that will allow him/her to accurately and precisely solve future issues related to and within the congressional committee.