3 only. 2 A 2 B The legislative branch of Students should understand the Students should Chapter 5: in ‘Congress’ government Congress (): legislative process within understand that A2 US Government and – Congress and understand why so Congress is often Politics by Anthony J debates concerning the few are passed. accused of being an Bennett functions, powers and ineffective legislator. effectiveness of congress in Students should also understand Chapter 9: as ‘Congress Students should learn legislation, oversight and the the ways in which Congress has Legislature: Functions and the percentage of bills power of the purse. oversight over the executive. Powers’ in American passed in Congress. In by Politics and Society particular, students Students should evaluate the David McKay (2017: 9th should understand the extent to which Congress Edition) legislative process and performs its roles of legislation the blocking points and oversight effectively. Politics Review Volume which contribute to 26, Number 1, September Students should understand the Congress passing so 2016: Is Congress overly factors that influence how few bills. In particular, dysfunctional and members of Congress vote. students should partisan? Anthony Bennett consider Congress’ power of the purse. Recent examples should be used to illustrate the difficulty that the President can have in getting Congress to pass their budget. However, it should also be stressed that the power of the purse enables Congress to check Presidential power,
2 A 3 only. 2 B The legislative branch of government – Congress (): debates concerning the functions, powers and effectiveness of congress in legislation, oversight and the power of the purse. Students should understand the legislative process within Congress and understand why so few are passed. Students should also understand the ways in which Congress has oversight over the executive. Students should evaluate the extent to which Congress performs its roles of legislation and oversight effectively. Students should understand the factors that influence how members of Congress vote. Students should understand that Congress is often accused of being an ineffective legislator. Students should learn the percentage of bills passed in Congress. In particular, students should understand the legislative process and the blocking points which contribute to Congress passing so few bills. In particular, students should consider Congress’ power of the purse. Recent examples should be used to illustrate the difficulty that the President can have in getting Congress to pass their budget. However, it should also be stressed that the power of the purse enables Congress to check Presidential power, Chapter 5: ‘Congress’ in A2 US Government and Politics by Anthony J Bennett Chapter 9: ‘Congress as Legislature: Functions and Powers’ in American Politics and Society by David McKay (2017: 9th Edition) Politics Review Volume 26, Number 1, September 2016: Is Congress overly dysfunctional and partisan? Anthony Bennett
AQA-71522-SOW-GPUS.DOCX