Legislative Branch

1. Legislative Branch

2. Congressional Structure

3. Congress HOUSESENATE 435 Total people 100 (2*50) %Pop # of Reps for state 2 Per state 2 Yrs Length of terms 6 Yrs Qualifications 25 Yrs Age 30 Yrs 7 Yrs Citizen of US 9 Yrs Must reside in the State and District that they represent

4. Terms and Sessions • Congressional Term for 2 yrs • Session- 2 sessions Jan 3rd – Dec., Jan - July 31st • Work day: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. • Working time: Noon to 5 – 6 o’clock. • Recess = temporary break • Special Session= Outside of regular hours • Joint Session= Both House and Senate • “State of the Union”Called by president

5. Determining Representatives • Census = Every 10 years to determine population • Reapportion = Divide between states • Redistrict = when apportionment changes • Gerrymander = drawing district lines based on some characteristic other than just population • a) Discriminatory gerrymandering • b) Misrepresentation

6. Congressional Leadership

7. Congress Senate Upper House House of Representatives Lower House President of Senate VP of USA Speaker of House Majority Leader President Pro Tempore Senior Ranking Member Of the Majority Party House Majority Floor Leader House Minority Leader Senate Majority Leader Senate Minority Leader House Majority Whip House Minority Whip Senate Majority Whip Senate Minority Whip 100 Senators 2 from each State 435 Representatives Elected by Population

8. Leadership in the House of Representatives SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE Selected by the majority party Job: Presiding Officer of the House Decides which committee a bill goes to. Makes Committee Assignments John Boehner (R-Ohio) Elected Speaker in 2011

9. Leadership in the House of Representatives SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE Selected by the majority party Majority Leader Job:Leads the majority party and shepherds legislation Minority Leader Job: Leads the minority party and leads opposition Eric Cantor (R-Va) Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca)

10. Other House Positions • Clerk of House does administrative duties. • Parliamentarian keeps rule on debate. • Chaplain prays before debate. • Sergeant at Arms keep order. • Official Reporters writes every single word in meeting. • Post Master sees that everything is distributed.

11. Georgia’s Representation • Georgia currently has 13 congressional districts. • McEachern’s current congressional district is the 11threpresented by: Phil Gingrey (R)

12. Georgia’s Congressional District Map

13. Leadership in the United States Senate PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE The Vice President of the United States Vice President Joe Biden Job: Presiding Officer of the Senate Breaks tie in legislation. Otherwise does not vote.

14. Leadership in the United States Senate PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE The Vice President of the United States PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE Selected by majority party. Usually most senior member of the Senate majority party Job: Presides over the Senate when the Vice President is absent. Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont)

15. Leadership in the United States Senate Majority Leader Job:Leads the majority party and shepherds legislation Minority Leader Job: Leads the minority party and leads opposition Sen. Harry Reid (D) Sen. Mitch McConnell (R)

16. Other Senate Positions • Secretary of Senate – Top administrator • Parliamentarian, Chaplain, Sergeant at arms.

17. Georgia’s Representation Senator Johnny Isakson Senator Saxby Chambliss AND

18. Congressional Rules and Benefits

19. Congressional Rules • Loyalty to chamber • Civility • Seniority – the most senior members get more choice of assignments • Specialization expert in areas • Reciprocity-support for each others bill.

20. Privileges and Penalties • Congressional Immunity • Freedom of Expression in Congressional Records • Expel Members with 2/3rd vote. • Censure Members • Codes of Ethic.

21. Compensation and Benefits • Salaries: The current salary (2011) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year. • Speaker of the House - $223,500Other Leaders - $193,400 • Increases as cost of living does. (27th Amendment)

22. Compensation and Benefits • Outside Income allowed • Fringe Benefits (Perks) • Offices • Expense Accounts • Stationary and Postage

23. Compensation and Benefits • Computer service • TV and radio broadcast • Travel expense • Foreign Trips • Pension Plan and Retirement Income. • Incumbent = helped to get reelected.

24. Congressional Powers

25. Congressional Powers I. Legislative Powers • Sovereign Powers • Provide for common defense • Make rules on citizenship • Run Armed Services • Declare War • Over Washington D.C.

26. Congressional Powers Cont. B. Financial Powers • Raise Money • Regulate Trade • Duties – taxes on imports • Excises – taxes on particular goods • Spend Money

27. Congressional Powers Cont. C. Regulate Commerce • Coin and set standards on money • Post Office • Copy Rights and Patents D. Powers over Courts • Establish Federal Courts • Set number of Supreme Court Justices

28. Congressional Powers • Non-Legislative Powers • Advise and Consent • Presidential Appointments (V.P., Justices, and Cabinet) • Formal Agreements with Foreign Nations (Treaties) • Impeachment (Majority in House) • Convict and Remove Federal Officials (2/3rds in Senate)

29. Congressional Powers • Admit New States to the Union • Amend the Constitution • Counts Electoral Votes If no majority: -the House will elect the Pres. -the Senate will elect the V.P. • Gov. “Watchdog” – Congressional committees can hold hearings and investigations, call witnesses, and make recommendations.

30. Congress in Your Life… Make the Laws Oversight Inform us of the laws Constituent services

31. Congress is Important! For Georgia! And for you!