In today’s political world, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between pressure groups and political parties. Although there are certain differences between the two, there are factors which make the lines blur Firstly, both parties and pressure groups have input in the legislative process. Insider groups have influence on government and often an important decision may be made as a result of a powerful stunt done by a pressure group. Also, some top pressure groups are funded by the taxpayers money which blurs the distinction between them and political parties. State-funded PG include ASH and Greenpeace.
In order for many bills to get passed there is often a need for compromise between members of Congress as such favours are often exchanged in order to gain crucial votes on legislation. This complicates and lengthens the legislative process because it could result in other Congressmen rejecting the bill. An example of such is in 2005, where a $223 million earmark was included in a bill to provide funding for reconstruction efforts
The committee system of Congress is made up of different types of committee, performing legislative and investigatory functions – with Herbert Hoover describing them as “Congress at work”. Although it is clear that there is a significant amount of importance with Congressional Committees, which provide both permanence and expertise on different subjects, there are clear limitations to some of these functions, which may limit their power and influence. The main function of Congressional Committees is within the legislative process. After the first reading stage in Congress comes the committee stage, which involves Standing Committees and, if necessary, Select Committees. The job of the Committees is to investigate the bills and any perceived faults or flaws with them, as well as amending or redrafting the bill before it goes to the full chamber.
Another factor contributing to their overwhelming power is that members of Parliament are not policy specialists. MP’s will know limited facts about certain issues and will depend upon outside sources to give them their information. This could be from many sources but the main source would be pressure groups. These groups are a minority of people who are representing their view as if it were the majority. This
Filibuster, “a type or parliamentary procedure where debate is extended, allowing one or more members to delay or entirely prevent a vote on a given proposal,” is one of the causes for the brokenness of the Senate. An example of a filibuster which halted the Senate is Rand Paul’s filibuster on the vote of President Obama’s nomination for the head of CIA. Just because Rand Paul disapproved
Most often, the actual referral decision is made by the House or Senate parliamentarian. Bills may be referred to more than one committee and it may be split so that parts are sent to different committees." These committees create a report on the bill. Before a committee creates a report they go through an intense investigative process. Most of the time witnesses are called, documents subpoenaed, and hearings held.
This can involve many blocking tactics. In filibusters there could a bundle of tactics other then a prolonged speech. The Democratic party may propose a lot of amendments, magnify rules or tradition, or look to the many roll call votes, which could be called in a consecutive order.5 A silent form of filibustering could be the hold on which a senator could access. They could attempt to have the minority floor leader to insist that this resolution should not be scheduled because of more essential business. This is an informal
The Chamber works in thirteen commissions made up of thirteen deputies. When the two houses have discrepancies over pieces of legislature, mixed member commissions work together to resolve them. Congress has the power to approve laws. Laws are approved by a majority of votes in both the Senate and Chamber of Deputies. Depending on the severity of the nature of the law, more than a majority’s vote would be needed.
In 2009 and again in 2010 P.M. Harper prorogued Parliament; this decision was the subject of harsh and vocal criticism from opposition parties and the media. To regain some of the public support lost as a result of the decision the government needed to appeal to the majority of the voting public. To survive in parliament the government needed at least one of the opposition parties to support Budget
An example of this is the events of 2013 when congress blocked Obama’s attempts to control gun ownership. This was an effective use of the checks and balances as congress successfully blocked a piece of Obama’s legislation. The use of this power is not always effective because congress’ blocking can sometimes lead to a gridlock situation. An example of this was in 2010 when congress and Obama spent weeks in gridlock trying to decide how to cut the federal budget. The effectiveness of the legislative checks and balances depends on the makeup of congress.