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Unit 2: The Legislative Branch

Unit 2: The Legislative Branch. Congress. Bicameral: 1.House of Representatives (Population, 435) 2. Senate (Equal,100) Historical Practical Theoretical. Powers of Congress. (1)Expressed Powers (ARTICLE I) Powers listed in Constitution Regulate trade Tax Borrow money Coin money

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Unit 2: The Legislative Branch

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  1. Unit 2: The Legislative Branch

  2. Congress Bicameral: 1.House of Representatives (Population, 435) 2. Senate (Equal,100) • Historical • Practical • Theoretical

  3. Powers of Congress (1)Expressed Powers (ARTICLE I) • Powers listed in Constitution • Regulate trade • Tax • Borrow money • Coin money • Declare War • Maintain Military

  4. Powers of Congress (3) Implied Powers -Powers understood because of Constitution • Punish tax evaders • Regulate immigration • Regulate banking • Establish minimum wage • Mail fraud, bar shipping

  5. Powers of Congress (4) Nonlegislative Powers • Powers/duties • Electoral Duties: elect of President, VP (no majority) • Executive Duties: Confirms appointments/treaties • Constitutional Amendments: Propose amendments

  6. Powers of Congress 4. Investigate: information for laws, focus public attention on issue 5. Impeach and Try: bring charges against

  7. The National Legislature • Term: • House: 2 years • Senate: 6 years • Starts “noon of the 3rd day of January every odd numbered year” • 111th term of Congress: January 2009-2011 • Session: • Period Congress assembles and conducts business • Recess granted • Special Session: Only President calls Congress into special session, can call both houses or individual

  8. Members of Congress • Typically white male, late 50’s, married, educated • Job: • Delegate: agents of people • Trustees: decision on merit • Partisans: allegiance to political party • Politicos: balance all roles • Compensation: • $168,000 per year • Speaker $212,000 • Senate leaders $183,500 • Many benefits

  9. The House of Representatives MEMBERSHIP: • 435 members, not fixed by Congress • Apportioned by population • Two year term • Chosen by 435 congressional districts • Must be 25 years old • Citizen 7 years, live in state and (district they represent, not in Constitution) • House members tend to be younger, less wealthy, and represent a wider range of occupations

  10. Powers of the House Gerrymandering: • District lines drawn to advantage of the political party • Leaving districts safe in dominant party • Spread opposition thinly among districts, limiting ability to win • Creates “safe” districts •All Revenue Bills must start in the House •All Charges of Impeachment must start in the House

  11. The Senate • 100 Senators(2 per state) • Smaller, more responsible • Chosen by State legislatures (at large) • Senators tend to be older, wealthier, and are from “professions” • Only one Senator up for election at a time • 6 year term • No limit on terms • Terms staggered • Continuous body: all seats never up at same time

  12. The Senate • Must be 30 • Citizen 9 years, live in state representing • Informal qualifications: • Party • Name • Familiarity • Gender • Ethnicity • Political experience POWERS: • Tries all Charges of Impeachment • Approves all Presidential appointments • Approves all foreign treaties

  13. Committees in Congress • Standing: • Permanent, considers all bills • 20 in House, 16 in Senate • Select: • Temporary, set up for special purpose • Speaker/ President of Senate appoints members • Joint: • Composed by members of both houses • Investigate issues • Conference: • Temporary • Resolves differences on bills in House and Senate • Produces compromise

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