US Congress: Current Debates & Interpretations (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

Party leadership controls the legislative agenda, especially in the House of Representatives

• Speaker Mike Johnson refused to allow a vote on extending healthcare subsidies in 2025 despite public pressure

Members often prioritise constituency interests, particularly in the House where terms last only two years

• Joe Manchin opposed Biden’s climate agenda, while Lauren Boebert criticised Trump’s veto of a local water project

Party discipline strongly influences voting behaviour

• Although US whips are weaker than in the UK, party-line voting remains common

• In 2022, over half of House votes and more than 80% of Senate votes were party unity votes

Party discipline is weakly enforced

Primary elections reduce party control over candidates

• Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger served on the January 6th Committee despite Republican opposition

Party caucuses help coordinate policy positions

• The Freedom Caucus played a key role in challenging Republican leadership and destabilising speakerships

Individual senators hold significant power due to Senate rules such as the filibuster

• Tommy Tuberville blocked military promotions for over ten months

Fundraising is largely organised along party lines

• The NRA spent $6.3m supporting Republicans and $3.8m opposing Democrats in 2024

Dependence on donors and interest groups can weaken party loyalty

• High campaign costs can influence members’ voting behaviour

Increased polarisation has strengthened party loyalty

• Fewer moderates means voting behaviour is more predictably partisan

National security issues often encourage bipartisan voting

• Aid packages for Ukraine frequently received cross-party support

Article I grants Congress extensive enumerated powers

• The 43-day government shutdown in 2025 demonstrated Congress’s constitutional control over public finances

Increased partisanship has reduced Congress’s effectiveness

• Persistent gridlock has limited both legislative and oversight capacity

Oversight powers are implied through checks and balances

• Congress has withheld funding and overturned presidential vetoes, including the National Defense Authorization Act 2021

The Supreme Court limits congressional authority through judicial review

• Laws passed by Congress can be struck down as unconstitutional

Congress retains the power of impeachment

• Presidents Clinton and Trump were impeached, demonstrating willingness to use this power

Expansion of executive power has weakened Congress

• Presidents increasingly use informal powers to bypass Congress

Congress remains the primary law-making body

• It has used this authority to block or reshape presidential agendas, such as restricting abortion funding in the ACA (2011)

Some constitutional powers are outdated

• The power to declare war is rarely exercised in modern foreign policy