Oversight Function (Political Science)

Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress is charged with the responsibility of government oversight—the review, monitoring, and supervision of operations and activities. Committees and offices are formed by an act of Congress to perform this function, which is a part of the “separation of powers” principle of the Constitution. In oversight, the legislative branch is checking the executive. The oversight function is an implied power of Congress granted under the broad “necessary and proper” clause of Article 1 (Section 8, Clause 18), allowing Congress the authority “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution.” The Supreme Court in McGrain v. Daughtery (1927) upheld this power when deciding on a case involving congressional investigation of the Justice Department. For more information, see McGrain v. Daughtery (1927).