Oversight

• Oversight is the ability to supervise and check actions of another branch. Largely exercised through checks and balances. Some factors affect successfulness are:
• Party Control


  When a government is united oversight is more relaxed. Presidents typically use less vetos during this time
• Policy Area


  Congress has less influence on foreign policy. E.g. The senate protested that they should have had more of a say on the 2015 Iran deal yet Obama acted on it with little oversight. For domestic policy, Obama was defeated consistently over immigration and gun control
• Presidential Poll Ratings


  Congress can exert more control during low ratios. E.g. Obamacare got through with few alterations and couldn't be repealed and replaced by republicans in 2018 due to Obama's 50% approval and Trump's 40%
• Partisanship


  The growth in this has made compromise more difficult. Affects relationship between president and congress. Moderates in both parties are rare
• Election Cycle


  Members are more likely to be pleasing constituents rather than president when an election approaches
• National Events


  In times of national emergencies congress may act with deference (handing over power). This is to follow guidance from president such as funding for hurricane relief (Katrina 2005) or PATRIOT Act in response to 9/11