Congress of the Dominican Republic

Congress of the Dominican Republic
Congreso de la República Dominicana
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
Houses Senate
Chamber of Deputies
Leadership
President of the Senate
Reinaldo Pared Pérez, PLD
Since 16 August 2016
President of the Chamber of Deputies
Lucía Medina, PLD
Since 16 August 2016
Structure
Seats 210
32 senators
190 deputies
Meeting place
Palace of Congress
Website
http://www.congreso.gov.do

The Congress of the Dominican Republic (Spanish: Congreso de la República Dominicana) is the bicameral legislature of the government of the Dominican Republic, consisting of two houses, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Both senators and deputies are chosen through direct election. There are no term limits for either chamber.

As provided by the Dominican Constitution, each of the 178 members of the Chamber of Deputies represents a district and serves a four-year term. Chamber seats are apportioned among the states by population. The 32 Senators serve staggered four-year terms. Each province has one senator, regardless of population.

The Constitution vests all legislative power in the Congress. The Chamber and Senate are equal partners in the legislative process (legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers); however, the Constitution grants each chamber some unique powers. The Senate is empowered to approve treaties and presidential appointments. Revenue-raising bills must originate in the Chamber of Deputies, which also has the sole power of impeachment, while the Senate has the sole power to try impeachment cases.

The Congress meets in the Palace of Congress in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The term Congress actually refers to a particular meeting of the national legislature, reckoned according to the terms of representatives. Congressional elections are held in even numbered years not divisible by four, even-numbered years divisible by four are reserved for presidential elections. Suffrage is universal and compulsory for all Dominican citizens aged over 18 or under that age if married.

History

The Congress of the Dominican Republic was founded after the drafting of the Constitution, on 6 November 1844. In the chapter 2 of this Constitution is mentioned how the Legislature would be divided into two legislative bodies called Tribunat (corresponding to the current House of Deputies) and Conservative Council (corresponding to the current Senate). Earlier, deputies and senators were elected by indirect and based on census vote and candidates could only be those with properties.

In 1854, the Constitution was amended to change the name of the Conservative Senate Council. Later, in December of the same year, a new revision to the Constitution was made to merge the two chambers in a Consultant Senate, being the first period in the history of the Dominican Republic in which the Legislature was governed by a unicameral Congress. The bicameral system was again replaced in November 1865 after the Restoration of the Republic, separating the Congress in a House of Representatives and House of Representatives.

Between 1866 and 1907, the Dominican Republic is disputed between bicameral and unicameral, eliminating the Senate in the constitutional amendment of 1866, restoring it in 1878, and returning it to eliminate in 1880. The Senate reappeared as house of Congress in the Constitution of 1908, from which the bicameral system remained constant. During the first US intervention, Congress was dissolved not before elected president Francisco Henriquez y Carvajal. After the restoration of national sovereignty, Congress was again restored, and in 1927 the election of legislators were allowed by direct vote.

With the rise of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo to power, the Congress became a cover for his political ambitions. In 1935, Trujillo was appointed by the Congress president for life, instituted on January 11 of each year as the Day of the Benefactor, and renamed the capital city Ciudad Trujillo. In 1941, Congress recognized the civil rights of women, allowing women to vote in the country.

After Trujillo's death, and after deposition of the constitutional government of Juan Bosch in 1963, Congress was dissolved by the Triumvirate. On 25 April 1965 a military group seeking to restore the Constitution of 1963 and replace the president Bosch entered the National Palace and made capitulate to Triumvirate, after which the newly restored Congress was sworn in as provisional president to the President of the Chamber of Deputies Jose Rafael Molina Ureña. However, President Urena had to resign two days later and applied for asylum. At this, the Congress appointed provisional president Francisco Alberto Caamaño Deñó, who took office on May 4 in front of a crowd at Independence Park.

After the second US intervention, and after the new constitutional government elected in 1966, under the presidency of Joaquin Balaguer, Congress made an, the longest constitutional reform of constitutional reforms. This Constitution was amended in 1994 to prohibit presidential re-election and separate congressional and presidential elections (which had been held together since the reform of 1927) with 2 years apart.

Congress passed a constitutional amendment in May 2002, to restore limited to 2 consecutive reelection. During the election of President of the Chamber of Deputies on 16 August 2003, there was a shooting inside the room that legislative chamber.

Later in the constitutional reform of 2010, Congress passed non-consecutive presidential reelection, and rejoined the congressional and presidential elections, which are exceptionally extended the term of office of elected legislators in 2010 from 4 to 6 years until 2016.

Reviewing and guiding the executive

Congress exercises its review function by means of the Speech of Accountability and inquests. The Speech of Accountability it is the responsibility of the President of the Republic to report annually, before Congress, on the budgetary, financial and management administration that occurred in the previous year, as established in article 128, paragraph 2, subparagraph f) of the Constitution, An explanatory message of the macroeconomic and fiscal projections, expected economic, financial and social results and the main priorities that the government intends to implement under the General State Budget Law approved for the current year. The Constitution also contemplate that Congress should receive reports from the Chamber of Account, the Ministries and the Ombudsman.

Inquests

The legislative chambers, as well as the permanent and special commissions which they constitute, may invite ministers, vice ministers, directors and other civil servants of the Public Administration, as well as any natural or legal person, to provide pertinent information on matters of Which are empowered.

The reluctance of the persons cited to appear or to render the required declarations, can be sanctioned by the criminal courts of the Republic with the penalty indicated by the current legal provisions for cases of contempt of public authorities, at the request of the corresponding chamber.

To question ministers and vice ministers, the Governor of the Central Bank and the directors or administrators of autonomous and decentralized agencies of the State, as well as those of entities that administer public funds on matters within their competence, when agreed by the majority of members Present, at the request of at least three legislators, as well as to obtain information from other public officials competent in the matter and dependent on the previous ones. If the said official or official does not appear without justifiable cause or their statements are considered unsatisfactory, the chambers, with the vote of two thirds of their members present, may cast a vote of censure against them and recommend their dismissal from the office. President of the Republic or the corresponding hierarchical superior for breach of responsibility.

National Assembly and Joint sessions

When the Chamber and the Senate celebrate they meetings together is denominated National Assembly, the Assembly it's usually call for the Speech of Accountability and to celebrate the commemorative or protocolary acts.

To a joint session to be declare as National Assembly the plenary most have more than half of the members of each chamber present. Its decisions shall be taken by an absolute majority of votes, except when it is convened to amend the Constitution. The National Assembly or the Joint session of both chambers are governed by its rules of organization and operation. In both cases the presidency will be assume by the President of the Senate; The vice president, the President of the Chamber of Deputies and the secretariat, the secretaries of each chamber.

Its responsibility of the National Assembly:

  • To know and decide on constitutional reforms, acting in this case, as a National Revisory Assembly;
  • To examine the minutes of election of the President or President and of the Vice-President or Vice-President of the Republic;
  • To proclaim to the President and Vice President of the Republic, receive their oath and accept or reject their resignations;
  • Exercise the powers conferred by this Constitution and the organic regulation.

Latest election

The latest election for the Congress was in 2016, as part of the general election.

Senate

Party Votes % Seats +/–
Dominican Liberation Party1,794,32541.7926–2
Modern Revolutionary Party877,10120.432New
Social Christian Reformist Party393,1259.161–3
Dominican Revolutionary Party336,2017.831+1
National Unity Party135,8663.1600
Alternative Democratic Movement91,2222.1200
Institutional Social Democratic Bloc90,5162.111+1
Country Alliance63,0731.470New
Quisqueyano Christian Democratic Party57,7861.3500
Dominican Humanist Party55,5311.2900
Civic Renewal Party48,6861.1300
Broad Front45,3101.0600
Dominicans for Change38,0300.8900
National Progressive Force37,1970.8700
Liberal Reformist Party30,5030.711+1
Green Socialist Party24,8230.5800
Christian Democratic Union23,7650.5500
Dominican Workers' Party21,4570.5000
Institutional Democratic Party20,8450.4900
Revolutionary Social Democratic Party20,3230.4700
Christian People's Party19,3740.4500
Alliance for Democracy18,2770.4300
Liberal Party of Action16,5620.3900
Popular Democratic Party11,9880.2800
Will Citizen National Party10,5070.2400
Independent Revolutionary Party10,2620.2400
Present Youth Movement5710.0100
Invalid/blank votes194,516–––
Total4,487,745 10032–
Registered voters/turnout6,380,72270.33––
Source: JCE

Chamber of Deputies

Party Votes % Seats +/–
Dominican Liberation Party1,794,32541.79106+10
Modern Revolutionary Party877,10120.4342New
Social Christian Reformist Party393,1259.1618+7
Dominican Revolutionary Party336,2017.8316–61
National Unity Party135,8663.1600
Alternative Democratic Movement91,2222.1210
Institutional Social Democratic Bloc90,5162.110–1
Country Alliance63,0731.471New
Quisqueyano Christian Democratic Party57,7861.351+1
Dominican Humanist Party55,5311.2900
Civic Renewal Party48,6861.1300
Broad Front45,3101.0610
Dominicans for Change38,0300.8900
National Progressive Force37,1970.870–1
Liberal Reformist Party30,5030.713+3
Green Socialist Party24,8230.5800
Christian Democratic Union23,7650.5500
Dominican Workers' Party21,4570.5000
Institutional Democratic Party20,8450.4900
Revolutionary Social Democratic Party20,3230.4700
Christian People's Party19,3740.4510
Alliance for Democracy18,2770.430–1
Liberal Party of Action16,5620.3900
Popular Democratic Party11,9880.2800
Will Citizen National Party10,5070.2400
Independent Revolutionary Party10,2620.2400
Present Youth Movement5710.0100
Invalid/blank votes194,516–––
Total4,487,745 100190–
Registered voters/turnout6,380,72270.33––
Source: JCE

See also

References

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