United States of America
Senate
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Presidential system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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No
Oversight
Oversight tools
- Parliament/Chamber has the power to summon members of the government
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Yes
Sources: No constitutional provisions, but established by various Supreme Court rulings.
- Parliament/chamber has the power to summon senior government officials
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Yes
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Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments
Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
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Yes
Sources: Constitution, Article II, Section 2
- Approximate number of government appointments subject to parliamentary approval
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1,200
- Parliament/chamber has the power to approve key government appointments
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Yes
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Number of written questions asked, per year
Depending on a parliament’s system – both written and oral questions may be registered.
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Not applicable(2023)
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Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
Depending on a parliament’s system – both written and oral questions may be registered
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Not applicable(2023)
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Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of written questions answered by the number of questions that were asked.
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Not applicable(2023)
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Parliament/chamber has power to carry out inquiries
The power of a parliament to carry out inquiries and the way in which they are done varies across parliaments. The aims and objectives of parliamentary inquiries cover a large spectrum: from a general examination of an issue of public interest to an investigative inquiry into a specific topic, the results of which may have penal implications.
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Yes
Sources: Annual data is not available on the number of parliamentary inquiries, 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/
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Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
The total number of inquiries/investigations can include those carried out by any committee (permanent or ad-hoc) or specialized body within parliament. In the case an inquiry/investigation spans more than one year it is ounted once in the year it was initiated. The power of a parliament to carry out inquiries and the way in which they are done varies across parliaments.
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Click for historical data
Notes: 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/. Data is for the legislature and is not available per chamber.
Head of State and/or Government
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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.
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Parliament does not play a role
Sources: Constitution, Article II, Section 1
- The Head of Government is also the Head of State
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Yes
- Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State
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No information available
Impeachment and confidence motions
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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.
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Not applicable
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Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
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No information available
Impeachment procedure
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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)
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The Head of GovernmentIndividual members of the Executive
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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
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Lower chamberUpper chamber
Sources: 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.
No confidence processes
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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)
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Not applicable (there is no procedure)
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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
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Not applicable