In 1927, for instance, the Court found that in investigating the administration of the Justice Department, Congress had the authority to consider a subject "on which legislation could be had or would be materially aided by the information which the investigation was calculated to elicit". The Supreme Court of the United States has confirmed the oversight powers of Congress, subject to constitutional safeguards for civil liberties, on several occasions. Congress could not reasonably or responsibly exercise these powers without knowing what the executive was doing how programs were being administered, by whom, and at what cost and whether officials were obeying the law and complying with legislative intent. It is implied in the legislature's authority, among other powers and duties, to appropriate funds, enact laws, raise and support armies, provide for a Navy, declare war, and impeach and remove from office the President, Vice President, and other civil officers. Oversight also derives from the many and varied express powers of the Congress in the Constitution. The lack of debate was because oversight and its attendant authority were seen as an inherent power of representative assemblies which enacted public law. There was little discussion of the power to oversee, review, or investigate executive activity at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 or later in The Federalist Papers, which argued in favor of ratification of the Constitution. The government's charter does not explicitly grant Congress the authority to conduct inquiries or investigations of the executive, to have access to records or materials held by the executive, or to issue subpoenas for documents or testimony from the executive. Oversight is an implied rather than an enumerated power under the U.S. It is an integral part of the American system of checks and balances. These include authorization, appropriations, investigative, and legislative hearings by standing committees which is specialized investigations by select committees and reviews and studies by congressional support agencies and staff.Ĭongress’s oversight authority derives from its “implied” powers in the Constitution, public laws, and House and Senate rules. Oversight also occurs in a wide variety of congressional activities and contexts. Congress exercises this power largely through its congressional committee system. Congressional oversight includes the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation. ( October 2017) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ĭongressional oversight is oversight by the United States Congress over the Executive Branch, including the numerous U.S. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations.
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