Legislative Branch

Legislative Branch Ch. 5-1 Basics of Congress

Congress For Hire • The United States Congress is a bicameral legislation, which means it has two parts. • The two parts allow for better checks and balances as well as fair representation of small and large states. • Each “house” of Congress has its own required qualifications and benefits

House of Representatives • 435 Reps, based on the population of each state. • Must be 25 yrs old • Be a citizen of the U.S. (Naturalized or Native-born) for at least 7 years. • Be a legal resident of state you represent. • Elected for 2 year terms

Senate • 100 Senators, 2 per state • Must be 30 yrs old • Be a citizen of the U.S. (Naturalized or Native-born) for at least 9 years. • Be a legal resident of state you represent. • Elected for 6 year terms

Salary and Benefits • All Congressmen receive $165,200 annual salary as of 2007. • Free travel to and from Washington, D.C. and their home state. Free postage. • Immunity – Congressmen cannot be arrested while congress is in session if they are on the way to or from a meeting in Congress.

Use Your notes to place at least 8 Qualifications, Terms, or Benefits of the Office of Congress in the appropriate area.

Legislative Branch Ch. 5-2 How Congress is Organized

Terms and Sessions • A term of congress is every odd-numbered year and begins January 3rd. • Each term is divided in half, into one-year sessions. • House and Senate usually meet separately, but sometimes meet together in a “joint session”.

Both Houses • Each house has party caucuses, where Dems and Repubs choose their party leaders. • Party with most is Majority Party. Party with least is Minority Party. These are floor leaders of both House and Senate. • Majority and Minority have a whip. They help floor leader by counting votes, ensure attendance, etc. • Both Senate and House have committees and sub-committees, 2 joint committees.

Organization of Senate • U.S. Vice President is President of Senate. • VP does not always preside over day to day business. • When VP is not there, President Pro Tempore presides over meeting. They are selected by majority party.

Organization of House • Speaker of the House presides over all House meetings. • Speaker is always chosen from Majority Party.

Senate House Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore Majority Leader Minority Leader Majority Leader Minority Leader Majority Whip Minority Whip Majority Whip Minority Whip Body of Senate Body of House of Reps

Legislative Branch Ch. 5-3 Powers of Congress

Delegated Powers • Article I, Section 8 of Constitution delegated or gave these powers to Congress. • Financing Govt. – taxes, borrow money, coin money. • Regulate all trade • Defend the country – declare war and maintain armed forces • Enforce Laws and set up courts

Implied Powers • Constitution gives Congress power to do any action it finds “necessary and proper”. These powers are Implied Powers • “Necessary and Proper Clause” is also known as the elastic clause because they can stretch their power • Ex. Because Congress can build armed forces, they stretch it to mean they can build military schools.

Impeachment Power • Impeach – to accuse an office holder of misconduct. • Drawn up by House, if majority votes, officially impeached or accused. • Impeachment held in Senate. 2/3 vote to remove from office. • Vice president usually acts as judge. If President impeached, Chief Justice presides. • Two Presidents have been impeached, neither lost. Another resigned at threat of impeachment.

Legislative Branch Ch. 5-4 How a Bill Becomes a Law

I’m Just a Bill! Yes, I’m only a Bill!

Introduction of a Bill • A "bill" is introduced when a member of Congress decides to create a new law. • Any member of Congress can introduce a bill. It doesn’t matter which side of Congress it starts in unless it is an appropriation bill.

Committee Assignment • Once a bill is introduced it is first assigned to a standing committee for review. • A subcommittee may review the bill and make recommendations. • The bill is sent to the entire house for debate if the committee decides the bill is worthy of further action.

Can the House and Senate Agree? • Once one part of Congress OKs the bill, it must then pass through the other house by way of the same process. • Senate is not restricted in their debate. May “talk the bill to death” (Filibuster).

Sending it to the President • When both houses agree on a bill, the Speaker of the House and the vice president sign it. • The House and Senate vote to approve the bill. The bill goes to the President. • A bill becomes law if the president signs it.

VETO • President has 3 options: • Sign the Bill… It’s a LAW! • Veto the bill. • Not sign for 10 days. If in session – passed, if out – Pocket Veto. • If two-thirds of all the members of Congress vote "yes," a vetoed bill can still become law. If not, It is DEAD!

BILL BECOMES A LAW!

Bill is Introduced Committee Hearings Committee Hearings Full House Hearing Full House Hearing Returned to Original House Bill! You’re a LAW! Bill goes to President

Legislative Branch