The partisan battle in policymaking within the U.S Congress Essay

The partisan battle in policymaking within the U.S Congress - Essay Example The US Congress consist of the House of Representatives and the Senate both of whom are required to agree for the passage of laws in the US. (Schiller, 2000) The general powers of Congress are contained in Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution, although several amendments have added to Congressional powers. (US Constitution, Article 1, Section 8) These powers include but are not limited to the power to regulate commerce, impose taxes, make laws, levy punishments in respect of unlawful conduct, declare wars, establish post offices, regulate the value of currencies, regulate laws for the acquisition of water and land, support and maintain the military, to declare a state of emergency and to discipline the military. (US Constitution, Article 1, Section 8) The US Constitution requires that in order for either the House of Representatives or the Senate to conduct business a quorum is present. (US Constitution) A majority vote is required to indorse a cause of action and since Congress is typically comprised of two parties, the Democrats and the Republicans the vote is usually controlled by the controlling party with the result that partisanship determines policymaking rather than ideology. Roger Scully and Samuel Patterson argue that during the 80’s and 90’s American politics developed into more â€Å"deeply entrenched partisan divisions†. (Scully and Patterson, 2001, 131-155) With the two party politics that characterizes American governance it is hardly surprising that policymaking is often split along partisan lines. (Soss and Canon, 1995, 253-174) Author Ronald Brownstein refers to recent developments in Washington as â€Å"hyperpartisanship† (Brownstein, 2007, 8) According to Brownstein partisanship functions to divide the parties and only heightens disagreements not only among Congress but in â€Å"American life.† (Brownstein, 2007, 9) Put another way, parties