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Congress-Legislative. Organization of Congress I Great compromise – 2 houses Bi-Cameral -House of Rep- based on state pop -Senate 2 per state. House of Representatives. To be Representative 1. 25yrs old 2. Citizen 7 yrs 3. live in state you rep Live in the District
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Congress-Legislative Organization of Congress I Great compromise – 2 houses Bi-Cameral -House of Rep- based on state pop -Senate 2 per state
House of Representatives To be Representative 1. 25yrs old 2. Citizen 7 yrs 3. live in state you rep Live in the District Elected to 2 yr term- no limit • 435 reps for all states CA-53 reps Wyoming 1 rep • Census (count of all people) every 10 yrs – base representation on census
States broken into districts- 1 rep • state Leg draw district • each district same amount of people • Fairfield in 10th district and our rep John Garamendi(Dem) • Gerrymander is strange shaped district-Done to get more votes for one party
Senate • To be a senator- 30yrs old • Citizen for 9 yrs • Live in the state • 6 year terms- no limit • California-Diane Feinstein & Barbara Boxer both (demo)
Congressional Leaders • Majority Party - more members of that party in congress • Minority party –less members of party in congress • 2-Floor leaders-Demo/Rep • Floor leaders-chief supporters of their parties
Speakers • -Speaker of the House-H of R • -Member in majority party • -In charge of what goes on in congress-(John Boehner) • Leader of Senate • -Constitution says VP leader of senate • -Cannot make laws • -Vote only in a tie • -President Pro Tempore-takesVP spot when Pres not there • -Elected by senate always member of Majority Party
Benefits • Today $174,000 • free mail for job • Immunity-legal protections • can’t be arrested on way to work • Serious crime can be arrested • Crimes can cause expulsion 2/3 vote of their house
Congressional Terms • EVERY 2 YEARS New Term • 111THTerm • Session is the yearly time congress meets • -Meet from Jan 3rd-Nov • -President can call special meeting at any point.
Congress Committees and Powers of Congress II (Bill is a law idea that congress will hear and vote on)
Congress Committees- 3 types • Committee- is a group who focus on problems or issues • -Committee Each house breaks up into committees-smaller groups • -Research, discuss, and change bills • -Decide if whole house will here and vote on it
1.Standing Committee-Permanent committees in both houses • -Have one focus on discussion (Agriculture, Commerce, environment) • -In each committee there subcommittee- deal with detail of larger issues
2.Select Committee- for issues that need special attention • -example-intelligence, homeland security,
3.Joint Committee-Senate & House go over specific issues • -Members of both parties • -EXAMPLE –taxation
Committee membership • Leaders of Political parties assign committees • -Chairperson is in charge of the committee • -Majority party can control committees
Powers OF Congress 2 types -Expressed Powers- written in constitution -Implied Powers- Powers given to congress not written
Legislative Powers-making Laws • Biggest job pass laws for Nation • Power collect taxes • Start H R goes to Senate • Power Control Commerce • Control trade between states & countries • Foreign Relations • Congress votes to declare War • Senate approve treaties made by President • Military • Raise, support control army & Navy
Non Legislative Powers- not voting to make laws • Power of Approve or Remove • Can App or Rem president’s choices for officials • Ambassadors- represent US other countries • Supreme Court Justices (judges)
Impeach- takes a person out of office (judges, president, senators) • HR votes to impeached • Senate is Jury- make decision • 2 Presidents impeached. • -Andrew Johnson 1868,. Bill Clinton 1998 both acquitted (Not kicked out) • -Richard Nixon would have been impeached- left office.
Investigation powers of countries problems • 9/11 c • Investigate Terrorism • 1930’s committee on Mafia
Bills Become Laws III -Congress sees thousands of Bills few become laws -Bills are proposals-ideas of laws
Introducing a bill • A- Bill can be idea of any body • B- Member of congress must sponsor a bill • -House- Bill is given a # • -Senate • C- Bill given to standing committee about subject • Immigration bill immigration committee
D- Committee’s options • Don’t LIKE-Committee can reject a bill • Set it aside -pigeon hole it • Throw out write a new one • Like -Keep bill as is if they like it • Make changes • Subcommittees look at bill closer
E- Full committee passes bill to Senate or House • F-Debating a Bill(arguing over the bill) • -On the floor senators and representatives talk in favor or against Bill • House-limited time to speak • Senate Unlimited time
G- Voting on a Bill • Voice Vote- yes-Yea OR no- Nay • Standing Vote-Stand if in favor • Roll Call vote • Call name – say vote
Signing a Bill into Law • H- -Both houses must pass the bill • President reviews it can veto- cancel • If President does not sign for 10 days Bill is ended-pocket vote • To save the bill congress needs to pass with 2/3 majority each house. • If the president signs it is law.