Legislative
Al Gore finds the decline of congressional autonomy in recent years shocking. He believes that Congress under its current leadership is operating as an obedient, docile and compliant accessory to the executive branch of government.
Authorization committees lack stature, because annual appropriation bills are hardly ever actually passed. Everything is lumped into a single giant measure that is not even available for members of Congress to read before they vote on it. Members of the Democratic party are excluded from conference committees, and amendments are routinely not allowed during floor consideration of legislation.
Our Senate used to pride itself on being the greatest deliberative body in the world. Under, the current congressional leadership meaningful debate in the Senate is a rarity. On the eve of the vote to authorize the invasion of Iraq, Senator Robert Byrd asked: “Why is this chamber empty?” Congress abdicated its constitutional responsibility to decide whether our nation would go to war, by authorizing Bush to use force against Iraq.
Incumbents believe that the key to continued access to the money for reelection is to stay on the good side of those who have the money to give. In the case of the Republican party, the whole process is mostly controlled by Bush and his political organization. Consequently, Republican members of Congress are unlikely to challenge Bush.
The role of money in the re-election process, coupled with the diminished role for reasoned debate, has produced an atmosphere conducive to institutionalized corruption. The “Duke” Cunningham and Jack Abramoff scandals are the tip of an iceberg, which threatens the integrity of the entire legislative branch of government.
Members of Congress should start to uphold their oath of office and defend the Constitution, and conduct themselves as the independent and coequal branch of government their are supposed to be.
Authorization committees lack stature, because annual appropriation bills are hardly ever actually passed. Everything is lumped into a single giant measure that is not even available for members of Congress to read before they vote on it. Members of the Democratic party are excluded from conference committees, and amendments are routinely not allowed during floor consideration of legislation.
Our Senate used to pride itself on being the greatest deliberative body in the world. Under, the current congressional leadership meaningful debate in the Senate is a rarity. On the eve of the vote to authorize the invasion of Iraq, Senator Robert Byrd asked: “Why is this chamber empty?” Congress abdicated its constitutional responsibility to decide whether our nation would go to war, by authorizing Bush to use force against Iraq.
Incumbents believe that the key to continued access to the money for reelection is to stay on the good side of those who have the money to give. In the case of the Republican party, the whole process is mostly controlled by Bush and his political organization. Consequently, Republican members of Congress are unlikely to challenge Bush.
The role of money in the re-election process, coupled with the diminished role for reasoned debate, has produced an atmosphere conducive to institutionalized corruption. The “Duke” Cunningham and Jack Abramoff scandals are the tip of an iceberg, which threatens the integrity of the entire legislative branch of government.
Members of Congress should start to uphold their oath of office and defend the Constitution, and conduct themselves as the independent and coequal branch of government their are supposed to be.
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