Describe How Congress Exercises Its Checks and Balances Over the Executive

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The Answer is Congress exercises its checks and balances over the executive branch in several ways. One of the most important ways is through its power to oversee and investigate the actions of the president and the executive branch agencies. This is done through congressional committees, such as the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee, which have the authority to hold hearings, issue subpoenas, and request documents and testimony from the executive branch.

Another way Congress checks the power of the executive branch is through its power of the purse. Congress has the authority to approve or deny funding for executive branch initiatives and programs, as well as the power to allocate funds for specific purposes. This gives Congress significant leverage over the president's agenda and can be used to influence executive branch policies and actions.

In terms of which house of Congress has more authority over the executive branch, the House of Representatives generally has more direct authority due to its power to initiate revenue-related bills and its larger membership. However, both the House and the Senate have equal authority in most other areas, such as oversight and investigations.

Partisanship can diminish the exercise of congressional power over the presidency in several ways. When members of Congress are deeply divided along party lines, it can be difficult to reach consensus on issues related to oversight and investigations. This can lead to gridlock and inaction, allowing the executive branch to operate without sufficient checks and balances. Additionally, partisan loyalty can lead members of Congress to prioritize their party's interests over their constitutional duty to provide oversight of the executive branch, further diminishing the effectiveness of congressional checks and balances. Overall, partisanship can hinder Congress's ability to effectively exercise its authority over the presidency.

Describe How Congress Exercises Its Checks and Balances Over the Executive

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