Senate Filibusters

The political theorists David R. Mayhew, Gary W. Cox, and Matthew D. McCubbins argue on how the US Congress functions. They focus on the members of Congress and their actions. The basis of disagreement between the theorists lies in what Congress members find of importance. Mayhew argues that members of Congress, primarily concern themselves with reelection, as such, any action taken only benefits that. Cox and McCubbins’, however, formulate that Congress functions on the basis of majority party control and unity. These arguments present different perspectives, however, they do have agreements amongst them. Overall, Mayhew presents an argument that is believable and shows the truth of members of the US Congress.

A filibuster is a tactic in the legislative process sometimes used in the US Senate by opponents of a bill to block its passage. In the Senate use their unique right to unlimited debate as a way to prevent or delay the Senate from ever voting on a bill. Senator’s work together can practically debate forever, tying up the legislative agenda until the proponents of a bill finally give up their battle. Filibusters are not allowed in the House of Representatives because House rules limit the time allowed for debate on bills. In 2013 because of Democratic frustration about filibusters of judicial and executive branch nominees the filibuster’s rules changed. The number of votes required to end debate on those types of nominations has now been reduced

The writers of the U.S. Constitution were determined not to let a person get complete control over the new American Government. When a person gets complete control over the government it is called tyranny. If the central government had all of the power, the states would have no individual rights. In the city of Philadelphia, in 1787, some changes needed to be made in the American government. In order for the U.S. Constitution to stay away from tyranny, there were numerous amounts of obligations that needed to be met. Some of the obligations that needed to be discussed were federalism, the division of powers, checks and balances, and the power of small and large states.

Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government that represents the American people. The United States Congress has many roles such as making laws, implementing national policy and viewing over the other two branches of government. These are a couple of obligations the Congress has. Although they are essential to our government, there are potential problems which includes corruption, inefficiencies and equal representation. Individuals are not generally happy with the time span engaged with passing a law as well as the halt Congress put on some issues.

There are many different opinions about the Senate. Some poeple want to abolish, reform, or keep it as is. The Senate costs us $60 million. However, if the Senate is reformed and the members are elected, it will cost $120 million every year. The Senate acts as the "sober second thought". Their main role is to provide a final check on the legislation passed in the House of Commons. Some people believe this isn't necissary and that we should not spend so much money on it. Additionally, some people feel that we are alreadt overgoverened in this country. We have municipal governments, urban hamlets, towns and villages, rural municipalities, countries, school boards, hospital boards, provincial governments, the federal House of Commons, and the Senate. Some people think that

Congressional gridlock is not an uncommon thing in congress. Congressional gridlock happens when there is difficulty passing a law that is trying to satisfy the needs of the people. Gridlock often makes us feel stuck. Neither political party can reach an agreement to enforce a law on an issue, therefore they continue to meet and discuss until a conclusion is made. Gridlock is also referred to as “deadlock” or “political stalemate” because it is almost as if there is nothing either party can do. Congressional gridlock is a very common thing in our legislature among issues like immigration, health care, gun violence, national defense, etc. Gridlock is something that will always be an issue as long as there are two opposing political parties.

intended to delay the voting of a bill. Filibustering in the Senate has its origin back to “the

Attempting to enact significant legislation requires Congress and the White House to compromise and anticipate what others will approve of and pass. When a bill successfully passes both houses of Congress, which has become increasingly difficult due to party polarization and radical groups within the House of Representatives and the Senate, it then goes to the president for signing. This is a lengthy process, and in order for groups of people with opposing views to settle in agreement on a measure, a great deal of negotiation is often required. This can result in a piece of legislation that is a compromised, diluted version of its original form that is not an effective solution to the initial problem. Vague, weak legislation often necessitates further action by the other two branches of government in order to interpret and execute it properly. By allowing the judicial branch to interpret the law so that the executive branch can implement and enforce it, the United States government has found a way to combat this issue caused by divided government. Though divided government has been known to create problems, they can be overcome. Solutions such as these can keep the government functioning

In document C there are the 3 branches of government and arrows pointing from one to the other telling us how each branch checks one another. Some of these are, the president can veto different laws if he does not like them, but Congress can override this veto and pass the law anyways if they have a majority vote to override it. The Courts can declare acts of either branch as unconstitutional. Congress can also impeach members of any other branch and can remove them from office. All of this means that whatever one branch does, it must go through the other two so no corrupt laws can be passed. This is very effective because it prevents one branch from getting too much power and becoming a

While some Americans blame the government for it being undemocratic, the elected officials have provided us with evidence that America is undemocratic. An ideal democracy is how the government puts the people’s interest before the businesses interest. In Lindblom’s story “The Market as Prison”, it introduces a mechanism called the automatic punishing recoil mechanism (APRM). This provides businesses to have a privileged position in society.

The founders wanted the Senate to view the impact of their decisions at a national level. They wanted the senate to take a methodical approach to voting. Members of the senate remain in office on six-year terms, much longer then their House of Representative counter parts. The idea behind a six-year term is to provide a form of barrier from the people; this allowed the senate to make long-term decisions rather then, what is developing now. Members of the Senate are also required to be a minimum 30 years of age, as opposed to the 25 years of age for House members. This difference in age requirements was to promote a different level of maturity between the House and the

Filibuster is known as a “the effort by a senator to delay the chamber’s business by making long speeches” (Bond, 726). This tactic is used normally when a senator wants to have a bill be ignored so it won’t pass. They do this by taking all of the available time for the bill by talking or making a speech. Which means that the filibuster is believed to impair with the political process. A lot of people believe it should end while others do not see the harm. This controversial topic has even been the topic for various movies including the 1939 movie, Mr. Smith goes to Washington. With such a great exposure, is it really that bad?

The bills are studied to find out how they might affect the daily lives of Canadians. Changes are suggested to improve them. In the event some bills may even be rejected. The Senate may also introduce bills of its own, even though most bills are introduced in the House of Commons. A bill is not able to become law in Canada without Senate approval. The Senate is responsible for protecting the rights and interests of Canadians in all of its regions, especially minority groups or people who do not often get a chance to present their opinions to Parliament. Before a bill can become law, it goes through three stages, called "readings," in both Houses. The bill is debated, adjusted and then voted on by each House. Once approved, the bill is presented to the Governor General for royal assent and is made law. Another role of the Senate, not plainly provided for in the Constitution, “is to act as a non-ideological, routine revising chamber that picks up flaws in legislation that have avoided notice during a bill’s passage through the House of Commons.” (Jay Makarenko) Accordingly, the Senate might highlight confusing ideas or language in legislation, or raise questions about potential loopholes that may diminish the usefulness of a certain

In the United States Constitution, we have a very important system called checks and balances. This system was needed to control the power of each branch of government. Without a structure to control the amount of power each branch has our government would be controlled by one group of people. The system of checks and balances helps to prevent tyranny. The overall idea of checks and balances is formed on the observation that people act selfishly and make efforts to increase their own power and wealth at the cost of others.

The functions of the Senate is to cautiously examine legislation that are proposed by the House of Commons, to suggest changes or adjustments. The Senate can reject a bill, and recommend changes and improvements to be made. They can introduce new bills however, most bills are introduced by the House of Commons. A bill cannot become a law in Canada without the Senates approval. This is also the only reason that the Senate is a useful institution in Canada today as it represents the interest of the provinces in federal legislative. Many Canadians want the either reform or abolish