Changes

'''Congressional oversight''' is activities by the [[United States Congress]] to review, monitor and supervise the [[Executive Branch]], including the numerous [[federal agency|U.S. federal agencies]].<ref name="CRS">Kaiser FM. (2001). [http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/CRS.Oversight.pdf Congressional Oversight. CRS Report for Congress 97-936, 2001] Updated 2012 version: Halchin LE. (2012). [http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/97-936.pdf Congressional Oversight].</ref> Congress uses its committee system and the [[Government Accountability Office]] to perform this work. Congressional oversight, which dates to the earliest days of the Republic, is achieved in a wide variety of activities and contexts, including authorization, appropriations, investigative, and legislative hearings by standing committees; specialized investigations by select committees; and reviews and studies by congressional support agencies and staff.

'''Congressional oversight''' is activities by the [[United States Congress]] to review, monitor and supervise the [[Executive Branch]], including the numerous [[federal agency|U.S. federal agencies]].<ref name="CRS">Kaiser FM. (2001). [https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/CRS.Oversight.pdf Congressional Oversight. CRS Report for Congress 97-936, 2001] Updated 2012 version: Halchin LE. (2012). [http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/97-936.pdf Congressional Oversight].</ref> Congress uses its committee system and the [[Government Accountability Office]] to perform this work. Congressional oversight, which dates to the earliest days of the Republic, is achieved in a wide variety of activities and contexts, including authorization, appropriations, investigative, and legislative hearings by standing committees; specialized investigations by select committees; and reviews and studies by congressional support agencies and staff.

There is no express provision in the Constitution authorizing the Congress to oversee the Executive Branch.  Instead, Congress' oversight power derives from its “implied” powers in the Constitution, public laws, and House and Senate rules.  

There is no express provision in the Constitution authorizing the Congress to oversee the Executive Branch.  Instead, Congress' oversight power derives from its “implied” powers in the Constitution, public laws, and House and Senate rules.