Besides the power to legislate, what other powers allow Congress to influence the process of government?
• Congress has the power of oversight—the power to monitor or review the activities of the agencies and departments of the executive branch. • Congressional oversight has recently become a political tool. Republicans heavily investigated the presidency of Democrat Bill Clinton, but has failed to scrutinize Republican George W. Bush. • The Senate has the power of advice and consent over treaties and appointments to executive departments and judicial positions. • Finally, Congress has the power to impeach executive and judicial officials and remove them from office on conviction by the Senate.
