Considering the clear objectives assigned to each of the three branches of government, you might expect that a federal system like ours would run smoothly and efficiently most of the time. However, since the nation's founding, there have always been obstacles that cause government to work, instead, very slowly. Today we often refer to this situation as governmental gridlock.
The Senate filibuster is perhaps the best example of Congressional gridlock in action. It's a tactic used to prevent a measure from being put to a vote in one of the houses of Congress. Senators filibuster by talking and talking and talking . . . and talking until time runs out and there's no time left to vote. There are other, similar stall tactics also used by both political parties, and the result is that everything in Congress moves very, very slowly--if at all.
Gridlock is not a new problem for American government. In fact, little has changed in the almost 250 years that America has been a nation. The two political parties that alternate power are fundamentally the same: Modern conservative Republicans are very much like Federalists, and Jefferson's Republican Party in the late 1700s held many of the same principles as the liberal Democrats of today. Because of these differences, it's not really surprising that there are currently many disagreements among the different branches of the federal government: Our system is, after all, steeped in a tradition of political opposition.
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| Senator Rand Paul speaking during a 13-hour long filibuster. |
A similar form of gridlock can affect relationships among the branches of government. Suppose the president deploys military troops as a police action, using an executive order. This type of executive order cannot be challenged by the judicial branch as long as the President can claim it was issued in response to a national security issue. However, Congress can refuse to fund--or decide to stop funding--an undeclared war, if most of its members are opposed to the president's action. On the other hand, if the media has managed to garner public support for the war effort, concerns about reelection may cause House legislators to vote for a declaration of war anyhow. Personal interests, therefore, remain a big part of government service, and party politics are very important in determining when the next U.S. war begins.
Do you have a clearer sense of the types of obstacles that are inherent in the American system of government? Use the questions below to check your understanding of a couple of key points.
How are House members influenced to vote the same way as the majority of the voters in their districts?
- They fear prosecution in court for misrepresenting voters' needs.
- They want to avoid impeachment proceedings.
- They regularly receive threats from the executive branch.
- They will be up for reelection in the near future.
Since House members serve two-year terms, they are more likely to vote in line with the majority of the voters in their district.
Since House members serve two-year terms, they are more likely to vote in line with the majority of the voters in their district.
Since House members serve two-year terms, they are more likely to vote in line with the majority of the voters in their district.
Since House members serve two-year terms, they are more likely to vote in line with the majority of the voters in their district.
Why aren't executive orders typically challenged by the judiciary branch?
- Only Congress can override an executive order.
- Executive orders usually relate to national security issues.
- Executive orders are typically enacted in secret.
- The Constitution grants all military powers to the executive branch.
Nobody can override an executive order, and they are never secret. Typically, presidents claim that their executive orders were issued to protect citizens, a key responsibility of the executive branch.
Nobody can override an executive order, and they are never secret. Typically, presidents claim that their executive orders were issued to protect citizens, a key responsibility of the executive branch.
Nobody can override an executive order, and they are never secret. Typically, presidents claim that their executive orders were issued to protect citizens, a key responsibility of the executive branch.
Nobody can override an executive order, and they are never secret. Typically, presidents claim that their executive orders were issued to protect citizens, a key responsibility of the executive branch.
Summary
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