Generally, the Legislative Branch is divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is important to know the powers of both houses and the checks and balances they have with the President. The House of Representatives is also a governing body of the government, choose one of the expressed powers of congress and explain why it is important which is responsible for setting the annual budget. It also has the authority to overturn a veto by the President.
House of Representatives
Unlike the octave or two octaves above, the House of Representatives is not a political football. While the occupants of the White House are certainly noteworthy, a large part of the congressional machine is the administrative and executive branch. As such, Congress is composed of many departments and agencies, but only a few cynosures. The Legislative Branch is not without its fair share of controversy. Its most controversial occurrence has been the repeal of the Federal Reserve Board's TARP program, which led to the closure of banks and brokerage houses throughout the nation.
The House of Representatives has a few nifty functions, but the most important is the creation of laws and regulations that govern the lives of Americans. For example, there are many bills and statutes that require congressional approval, such as a bill to establish the National Institutes of Health's Center for Reproductive Technology, which could take years to pass through the federal courts. The House of Representatives also has to enact legislation on behalf of the military, such as a bill to make it easier to obtain medical care for wounded soldiers. The Legislative Branch also has to weigh in on matters ranging from taxation to foreign policy, and from healthcare to homeland security.
Senate
Until the end of the Second World War, congressional staffs were very small. Few personal staffs were authorized to Members, and few committees had staff.
The first statutory staffing allowance was authorized in 1884, with each senator being authorized to hire a staff member. The number of staff authorized to each senator gradually grew to five staff members in 1940, eight in 1947, and twelve in 1947. This allowance was not based on the total number of employees, but instead was based on the populations of states.
The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 standardized the allocation of committee staff. The Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Rules and Administration became the primary administrative bodies for the House and Senate. They were responsible for financial management of the legislative branch and for committee staffing.
Checks and balances between President and Congress
'Checks and balances' are a set of safeguards in the United States Constitution that help ensure that the government stays within its boundaries. Each of the three branches of government has a number of powers and responsibilities, and checks and balances prevent the government from becoming too powerful.
A legislative branch is responsible for passing laws, appropriating funds, and approving treaties. The executive branch is the branch that enforces federal laws. Each agency within the executive branch has a different set of duties and missions, which may vary widely.
The judicial branch also has its own set of checks and balances. For example, the Supreme Court can declare a law or executive order unconstitutional. The judicial branch may also impeach judges. In addition, the judicial branch can investigate and overturn laws passed by the legislative branch.
Overturning veto by president
Whether it's a "pocket veto" or a "regular veto," the presidential veto has the power to affect the political landscape in the United States. However, some argue that it gives too much power to one person. It is important to note that a presidential veto does not mean a bill will not become law.
Congress can override a presidential veto, which is a good thing, because it is part of the system of checks and balances that the Framers intended. While the President has the power to refuse to sign legislation, a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate is required to override the veto.
Historically, Congress has overridden less than 5 percent of presidential vetoes. In fact, during the two Bush presidencies, there were the fewest regular vetoes issued by any president in the past 100 years.
Establishing an annual budget for the government
Developing an annual budget for the government is a very important step that must be taken to meet the needs of citizens and government institutions. The preparation process should be comprehensive and transparent. It should also ensure that government priorities are clear and that expenditures are consistent with borrowing constraints.
Budgets are generally prepared by the ministry of finance, although some smaller spending agencies may also be involved. These agencies should provide the budget department with detailed cost estimates for the current year. The cost estimates should be based on reasonable revenue projections.
The budget department should prepare a circular that contains economic assumptions, a guideline or limit on total spending, and a forecast of expected outturn for the year. It should also include the cost of ongoing policies and new policies.