FROM CAPITOL HILL: PARTY GOVERNMENT AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS

Duration: 30 min

Year Published: 1958

Creator: WYES

Format: 16mm

Color: B&W

Sound: Sound

Description: Titles are: 1. ROLE OF CONGRESS. Discusses the duties of Congress including legislative law. Points out the necessity for bureaucracy. Presents a brief history of Congress. Questions the current role of Congress and how it has changed. 2. SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Examines the principle differences between the Senate and the House. Questions the importance of the Senate as compared to the House. Discusses the role of the presiding officer of the House. Reviews the question of unlimited debate in the Senate. 3. PRESSURES ON CONGRESS. Discusses the effects of general pressure on Congressmen from a state, national and world-wide basis. Examines the problems of lobbying. 4. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF CONGRESS. Explains the influence of parties on Congressmen, the role of parties in Congress, the functions of the minority leader and whip, party responsibility, and responsibility to the electorate. Presents Paul Butler and Meade Alcorn reviewing their roles in relation to Congress. 5. LEGISLATIVE ORGANIZATION OF CONGRESS. Discusses the Standing Committee, functions of the Committee system, and the role of the majority and minority leaders in Congress. Presents opinions on seniority and the selection of committee members and officers. 6. CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT. Discusses the Constitutional division of the "separation of powers:" the legislative, executive, and judicial. Examines the complexities of modern government which makes it impossible for Congress alone to make the law. Points out Congress' dependence on the executive branch. 7. CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATIONS. Examines the need and uses for increased investigational committees. Discusses partisan investigation, equal representation of parties on committees and the powers and limitations of investigative committees. 8. CONGRESS AS A MEANS OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT — A SUMMARY. Discusses Congress as the best means of democratic government. Questions the role of Congress, what relationship should exist between the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court, how effective Congress is performing its job, and how membership in Congress affects a person.

Complete Record: Source: NET Interest level: sh-c-ad Price: rent ea $4.75 Format: sd b&w

Metadata Source:Educational film guide. Supplements (1959-62)