United States of America
Oversight
Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities
Oversight tools
Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
No constitutional provisions, but established by various Supreme Court rulings.
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments
Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Article II, Section 2
Approximate number of government appointments subject to parliamentary approval
0
Notes
There is no formal procedure for sending written questions to the Executive branch.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Annual data on the number of parliamentary inquiries is not available, only by legislature. Information and a tally of investigative oversight hearings, starting from the 116th Congress (commencing 3 January 2019) can be found here: https://oversight-index.thelugarcenter.org/
Head of State and/or Government
Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government
Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament does not play a role
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Article II, Section 1
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
Yes
Parliament’s role
Impeachment and confidence motions
Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution
There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The Head of Government
Individual members of the Executive
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution. Article I, Sections II and III. The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeaching, while the United States Senate has the sole power to try all impeachments.
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment
In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Upper chamber
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
Not applicable (there is no procedure)
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence
In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Not applicable
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
Not applicable