The Legislative B ranch

1. By: Jolie Beckman The Legislative Branch

2. The main function of the legislative branch is to work on the control of the action of government, and to pass laws. The Main Function of Government Image found at www.google.com/images

3. The Legislative branch meets in the capitol building, in Washington D.C. The meetings begin on the third day of January every odd year. The Meeting Place Image found at www.google.com/images

4. There are a total of 435 members of representatives in our congress. Wow! The number of representatives is chosen by the population. The Number of Representatives in Congress Image found at www.google.com/images

5. In Wisconsin we have an average population, so we have 8 representatives in Washington D.C. Our representatives are; Tammy Baldwin, Steve Kagen, Ron Kind, Gwen Moore, David Obey, Thomas Petri, Paul Ryan, and F. James Sensenbrenner. Wisconsin Representatives Images found at www.google.com/images

6. To be a representative, you have to be 25 years old. You have to be a resident of the United States for seven years old. Lastly, you have to live in the state you’re representing. Qualifications of a Representative 25 7 years Image found at www.google.com/images

7. A representative stays in the house for only two years. Every year some representatives go up for re-election. The Term of a Representative Image found at www.google.com/images

8. The Presiding officer for the House of representatives is Nancy Pelosi. Nancy is a member of the democratic party. She is the first women to be the presiding officer of the House of Representatives. The Presiding Officer of the Representatives Image found at www.google.com/images

9. The second house of congress is the Senate. There are a total of 100 members in the Senate. Every state has a total of 2 senators, which are chosen by equality. The Senate Image found at www.google.com/images

10. As you know Wisconsin has two senators. Our senators are Herb Kohl, and Russ Feingold. Herb Kohl Russ Feingold Wisconsin’s Senators Images are found at www.google.com/images

11. Have to be 30 years old Be a resident of the U.S for 9 years Live in the state you’re representing Qualifications of a Senator 9 years 30 Image found at www.google.com/images

12. The term of a senator goes for 6 years. Also, every two years two-thirds of the senate goes up for re-election. The Term of a Senator Image found at www.google.com/images

13. Joe Biden Daniel Inouye • Vice President • Is a member of the democratic party • He has a dog named; Senator. • He’s the president pro tempore (back up for Joe Biden) • He’s a member of the democratic party. • He’s the oldest senator there. The Senate’s Presiding Officers Images found at www.google.com/images

14. The impeachment process is, the accusing of am official of wrongdoing. The House of Representatives begin the process by accusing the official. Then the official is tried by the senate. The Supreme Court’s Chief Justice, acts as the judge. Two thirds of the Senate has to vote to remove the official if guilty. The Impeachment Project Image found at www.google.com/images

15. For a bill to become a law, it goes through many steps. A bill starts out as an idea from either the House or Senate. Then, it becomes a bill. The bill is then represented to the committee of that house. That same house has a quorum, or one over half of the members. After the quorum is over, the other house has a committee on the bill. They also have a quorum. Once both houses have a quorum, they combine into a joint committee. Once the joint committee is finished the bill, it goes to our president. If the president approves it, the bill becomes a law. If the president disapproves, it goes back to the quorum it started in. If two-thirds of that house tries to over ride it, it goes to the other house. Then it is up to that house to have two-thirds of the members to completely override the president. If both houses have two thirds of its members vote for it, they override the president, it becomes a law. If the president sends it back and there are no changes to it, the bill dies. How a Bill Becomes a Law Images found at www.google.com/images

16. The congress has 4 types of powers. The first power congress has is called, an elastic clause. This power allows the Congress to make laws whenever it’s necessary. The second power is the enumerated powers. The enumerated powers are written power given to the Congress by the Constitution. An Example would be to provide a military. Next is the implied powers. These powers are generally given to Congress. They don’t have enough information about the details. The last power Congress has is called the inherit powers. Inherit powers are unlisted that they must have in the Government. An example would be to conduct foreign affairs. Those are the four powers of Congress. The 4 Powers of Congress Image found at www.google.com/images

17. There are a total of five limits on the states and Congress. First, there was a limitation where Congress could not make laws outlawing the slave trade. This was changed after the Civil War. The second limitation is the government can’t take away the right to have a fair trail. This also refers to the term habeas corpus, or “you shall have the body.” If you are not guilty or guilty, you can appear in court. Next, Congress cannot convict someone of a crime and not give them a trail. This law is know as the bills of attainder. Another limitation is that congress cannot put you in jail for breaking a law when it was not a law when you did it. Say on Wednesday Mr. Y stole someone's mail. Thursday a law was passed saying you can’t steal peoples mail. You can’t be punished because the law was passed on Thursday, and you did it on Wednesday. Finally, the last one is Congress can’t issue nobility titles. Unlike the Medieval Times, there can’t be peasants, knights, lords, or duchesses. Besides limits, there are also powers. The delegated powers are given to the national government. Concurrent powers are shared amongst the states and government. Lastly, the reserved powers re only the states. The Limits of Congress and States

18. I would like to become a member of the Legislative Branch. I want to be a member because then I get a say in the laws that I think will benefit the nation. Also I can come up with some bills of my own. Another reason is, I can help support the military. That is why I would like to become a member of this branch. Would You Like to be a member of Congress?

19. If I was a member of congress, I would like to change the immigration law. The immigrants should be legal citizen. Illegal citizens are taking our jobs. The unemployment rate which is very high, is hard, especially when we’re in a recession. Also, our taxes are paying for their bills. That is a law I would change if I was a member of congress. What Law Would You Change? Image found at www.google.com/image

20. This branch impacts my life a lot. It passes laws to help keep my rights. It is also important because it tries to keep the nation free of trouble. The legislative branch is important because life would be miserable without it. How Does the Legislative Branch Impact Your Life?

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