战略与国际研究中心-Mexican-Congressional-Report-Series_-The-Fall-2003-Term-of-the-Mexican-Congress_33页_336kb

Summary of the Fall 2003 Term of the Mexican Congress

Core Content

The Fall 2003 term of the Mexican Congress was marked by significant legislative activity, particularly in the Senate, and a contrast in productivity between the two chambers. The term lasted 105 days, from September 1 to December 15, and was characterized by a high volume of bills and treaties, as well as political dynamics within the Senate.

Main Points

• Legislative Activity: A total of 137 bills were introduced in the Senate during the Fall 2003 term, with 94 of them being approved, representing the second-highest level of production over the last seven fall periods.
• Chambers Comparison:
  • The Senate was highly productive, with 98 bills introduced by senators and 21 by the executive.
  • The Chamber of Deputies, which had a complete turnover of membership, introduced fewer bills (114) and passed only 17 to the Senate.
• Major Legislation:
  • The Senate approved 48 bills introduced by its own members, including constitutional amendments and laws related to judicial reforms, anti-corruption, and public property.
  • The executive introduced 27 bills, including the Federal Revenue Law for fiscal year 2004, and seven treaties.
• Key Reforms:
  • Anti-terrorism and corruption measures: Amendments to banking laws, criminal codes, and public administration laws.
  • Constitutional amendments: Four amendments were approved, including those that made food and nutrition a social right, and increased autonomy for INEGI and the Federal Attorney for the Defense of the Taxpayer.
  • Military and defense reforms: The Law of Promotions and Commendations of the Mexican Army and Air Force was approved and sent to the president for publication.
• Treaties: The Senate approved 15 treaties, including multilateral agreements on tropical wood products and tobacco, and bilateral agreements with various countries.
• Travel Authorizations: All three travel authorizations requested by President Fox were approved.

Key Information

• Presidential Veto: President Fox vetoed the Federal Water Law, arguing it was unconstitutional. The Senate accepted some of the executive's observations but rejected others.
• Partisan Dynamics: The PRI was the most active parliamentary group in the Senate, introducing 50 bills, while the PAN and PRD introduced fewer. The PVEM, though small, was disproportionately active.
• Constitutional Changes: The fall term saw a shift in the balance of power, with senators introducing a larger share of legislation compared to previous years.
• Rejection of Bills: The Senate rejected 18 bills, including a treaty related to agricultural health and safety.
• Comparative Perspective:
  • The Senate's productivity increased significantly over the past seven years, from 58 bills in 1997 to 137 in 2003.
  • The percentage of bills introduced by senators rose from 20.7% in 1997 to 71.5% in 2003.
  • The number of bills approved by the Senate also increased, reaching a peak of 115 in 2002 before declining slightly in 2003.

Key Statistics

Conclusion

The Fall 2003 term of the Mexican Congress was a period of high legislative output in the Senate, driven by a diverse range of bills and treaties. The shift in power dynamics, particularly the increased role of senators in introducing legislation, reflected broader changes in the political landscape. Despite the challenges posed by the Chamber of Deputies' slow start, the Senate managed to pass a significant number of bills, contributing to important reforms in areas such as anti-terrorism, public administration, and constitutional adjustments.