GOVT 2305
Will the 118th Congress be Deadlocked?
The 118th Congress is underway and it features each party in charge of one of its two chambers. The Republicans have a narrow lead in the House, and the Democrats have a narrow lead in the Senate. In the chapter on Congress you'll see this referred to as divided government.
You will be told that it compounds the checks and balances by putting competing political forces at odds. In this case conservative forces in the House can block liberal forces in the Senate, and vice versa.
But is this really true? We have a chance to test this idea.
Over the course of the semester I want you to analyze the activities of the House and Senate and try to figure out where they work together, and where they don't. Assess their relationship. Give examples to prove your point. Write it out so I can understand what's going on.
Aside from the word length please:
1 - use at least three references
2 - use whatever format works best for you
3 - use a language that at least approximates English
Note that you may write as much as you want.
Possible readings:
- With Congress Deadlocked, States’ Abortion Debates Continue.
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GOVT 2306
Legislative Priorities of the 88th Texas Legislature
The Texas Legislature will meet throughout the spring semester. I will provide a list of legislative priorities, the specific items that the leaders of the legislature - as well as the governor - would like the legislature to focus on.
I want you to select one and become an expert on it. What is the nature of the problem? What proposals are being made to address the problem? What interests have lined up for and against these proposals? Will they pass? If not, why not?
We will discuss these topics in class, and I will post material about them on the blog.
Aside from the word length please:
1 - use at least three references
2 - use whatever format works best for you
3 - use a language that at least approximates English
Note that you may write as much as you want.
