Section 2 Investigations Oversight Constitution neither granted nor

Section 2: Investigations & Oversight Ø Constitution neither granted nor denied Congress the power to conduct investigations. Ø Investigations can be conducted on any issue Ø Political & economic issues Ø Foreign Policy Ø Congressional ethics Ø Scandals Congressional Powers & Witness Rights v Subpoena Mc. Carthy-not a nice man v Perjury v Contempt v Immunity v Prior to the 1950 s witnesses called before Congress had few protections or rights. v The Mc. Carthy anit-Communist hearings of the 1950 s and the actions of HUAC provoked the American public & Congress to establish protections for people investigated in Congress.

Section 2: Investigations & Oversight contd. v 1957 in Watkins v. United States ruled that Congress must respect witnesses Constitutional rights just as courts do. v 1987 Iran-Contra scandal during the Reagan administration v 1994 Whitewater investigation v 2000 Enron collapse scandal Legislative Oversight The power of Congressional oversight involves a continuous review of how effectively the executive branch carries out the laws Congress passes. ü Legislative Reorganization Acts of 1946 & 1970 -”continuous watchfulness” over executive agencies. ü Legislative oversight is often inconsistent-”pass it and forget it” ü Often fail to conduct oversight if the president is of the same party as the majority party in Congress. ü No real political capital to be made in regular oversight, only scandals and sensational topics-”where there is publicity to be gained there is oversight to be had. ” ü Congress’ power to appropriate money is a powerful oversight. ü Often will use the General Accounting Office (GAO) to monitor the finances of executive agencies.

Section 2: Investigations & Oversight contd. ü 1978 -2000 Independent Counsel was used by Congress as an oversight technique ü Authorized House or Senate judiciary committees to require the Attorney General to investigate charges of criminal wrong doing. ü If sufficient evidence exists a 3 judge panel appoints an Independent Counsel. ü 1994 Ken Starr was appointed as Independent Counsel to investigate Whitewater, and then subsequently the Lewinsky scandal.