Strengthening the Oversight Function of the Legislature

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Strengthening the Oversight Function of the
Legislature

• Socorro L. Reyes
• Senior Gender Adviser
• UNDP, Islamabad

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Strengthening the Oversight Function of the
Legislature

• Legislative oversight refers to the
  responsibility of committees to review, study
  and evaluate on a continuing basis---

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• the application and effectiveness of laws and
  whether they are being carried out in accordance
  with the intent of Congress
• the administration and execution of programs
  created by law and whether they should be
  continued, curtailed or eliminated

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• the organization and operation of federal
  agencies and entities having responsibilities for
  the execution of laws and administration of
  programs including use of government funds
• conditions or circumstances that may indicate the
  necessity or desirability of new or additional
  legislation.

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Techniques and Instruments

• Hearings and Investigations
• Mandatory Agency Reports
• Authorization and Appropriations Process
• Establishment of Inspectors General or Audit
  Offices
• Enactment of Sunset Legislation

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Institutional, Structural and Political Factors

• Co-equal, separate and independent executive and
  legislature
• Organized opposition party
• Involved, concerned public and responsible,
  vigilant media
• Functioning committee system.

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Strategies for Strengthening Legislative Oversight

• Strategies from Inside
• Building Budget and Fiscal Oversight Capabilities
• Ethics Control
• Developing Committee Research and Investigative
  Capabilities

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Strategies from Outside

• Strengthening Civil Society Participation in the
  Legislative Process
• Information/Orientation on the Structures and
  Dynamics of the Legislature and How to Influence
  Legislative Decisions
• Legislative Watch the legislative Agenda,
  Institutional Performance and Individual Members
  Records
• Developing A Legislative Advocacy Strategy

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Towards A New Paradigm for Legislative Oversight

• The Institution-Process Framework
• as legislative programming concerns itself with
  developing the skills and knowledge of Members,
  their staff and that of committees, and at the
  same time expanding the material and financial
  resources available to them, it should devote as
  much interest and extend the same level of
  support to civil society organizations. These are
  the two sides of the equation and without one,
  the other is meaningless.