The National Legislature

The Legislative Branch – or Congress – is made of two bodies: House of Representatives and Senate. This means that Congress is bicameral – “bi” means two, and “cameral” means chamber. The National Legislature

Why did the founding fathers develop two houses? • The most important reason was because it served as a compromise during the Constitutional Convention. • Remember – there was an argument as to how the states should be represented as votes. • Big states said it should be based on population – little states said it should be equal. The National Legislature

The Great Compromise created two houses in Congress – HOR and Senate. House of Representatives gets reps based on state population. Senate gets two reps from each state regardless of population. The National Legislature

Total – there are 435 members of the House of Representatives. Total – there are 100 (50 states X 2 Senators from each state) members of the Senate. How many total members of Congress are there? The National Legislature

Congress meets for two-year terms – 1st Congress met on March 4, 1789. The 113th Congress began on January 3, 2013 and ended on January 3, 2015. The 114th Congress will meet on January 3, 2015, and will end on January 3, 2017. The National Legislature

In each two-year term there are two sessions – one session per year. • When Congress begins a session it is called “convenes”, and it is called “adjourn” when it ends. • There are numerous “recess” periods in a session as well. The National Legislature

The President of the United States may call a special session during an emergency or a critical issue comes up. • This has happened 27 times in our nations’ history. • In 1933 President Roosevelt called an emergency session to deal with Great Depression. The National Legislature

President Roosevelt also called an emergency session in 1939. • The issue then was outbreak of war in Europe – the Nazis – and U.S. policy to sell weapons to England. • Many times the President “threatens” a special session to force Congress to compromise on an issue. The National Legislature

summary The National Legislature

Remember there are 435 members – with the state’s population determining how many members per state. • Every state must have at least one seat – or member. • Every 10 years, the HOR is reapportioned to recalculate how many members per state – never goes above 435 total though. House and Senate

During the 1st Congress in 1789 there were 65 members in the House. • Every member in the House serves two-year terms. • This makes each member highly accountable for their actions and votes – always an election year upcoming. House and Senate

There are no limits on how many times a member can be elected. • The election is always held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November on even numbered years. • Each member in the House represents their district from their state. House and Senate

Because there are 435 members in the House, that means there are 435 districts in the U.S. Districts are created very carefully – they have boundaries and borders. Districts have to be near equal in total population. House and Senate

Districts also have to be one piece – not bunches of pieces. Every 10 years districts boundaries are re-drawn. These rules lead to all different types of district shapes and sizes. House and Senate

Re-drawing districts also brings “gerrymandering” into play. • Gerrymandering is named after former Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry in 1812. • Political parties in control of the state governments “gerrymander” district boundaries. House and Senate

They re-form the districts with a strategy in mind to try to keep their members in office. Gerrymandering is the reason why we see REALLY strange district shapes. Arizona’s 2nd district is a great example of gerrymandering. House and Senate

Anyone can become a House of Representatives member – you need to meet these simple requirements: • Minimum age of 25 years. • Minimum 7 years as U.S. Citizen. • Live in the state in which you represent. *However, other members of the House can reject you, punish you, or expel you based on a majority vote. House and Senate

It is extremely expensive to run a campaign in order to become a member of the House. The average cost of a campaign is $1 million. Also, once you are in, it is very hard to lose an election – 90% of the incumbents – or current members – lose an election. House and Senate

There are 100 total members of the Senate – 50 states X 2 per state = 100. The Senate is viewed as more esteemed and more important than the House. Before 1913, Senators were chosen by the state governments – since 1913 they are voted in by the citizens. House and Senate

Senators are elected during the same elections as House members in November. Each state can have only one Senate seat up for election at a time. This means that only 1/3 of the Senate is up for election at once. House and Senate

Senators serve 6-year terms and there is no limit on how many times they can be elected. The Senate was set up this way to counter the knee-jerk reactions of the House. Senators have a “cushion” of 6 years and are able to look at the “bigger picture” of an issue. House and Senate

Senators must be: 30 years old. A U.S. Citizen for at least 9-years. Live in the state in which they serve. House and Senate

Just like the House, it is very expensive to run a campaign to become a Senator – millions of dollars. • Incumbents win most elections – part of this is credited to name recognition. • Also, just like the House, an elected Senator can be rejected by 2/3 majority vote, or expelled. House and Senate

summary House and Senate

Who are the members of Congress – where do they come from, and what are they like? The average members is male, white and in his 50s. Of the 535 members, 95 are women, 42 African-American, 25 Spanish, 7 Asian. Members of Congress

1/3 of the House members are lawyers, ½ of the Senate members are lawyers. Almost all 535 members have advanced degrees – meaning higher then a bachelors. Several members are millionaires, and 1/3 of Senators were once House members. Members of Congress

In other words, the Legislative Branch (Congress) is not an accurate cross section of the American population. • Instead they represent the upper-middle class population. • Some people feel this makes Congress “out of touch” with “normal” Americans. Members of Congress

Senators and House members both receive $174,000 salary per year. However, there are also other fringe benefits they receive as well. They receive breaks on taxes because they are forced to own two homes. Members of Congress

They also receive travel allowances – or money to travel with. • Congressional members also receive full medical benefits for themselves and their families at reduced prices. • When they retire, they also receive a pension – or yearly income until they die. Members of Congress

Other benefits include “operating costs” to hire workers to run their offices. They receive a franking privilege – allowed to use the postal service free of charge. They also receive free parking on Capitol Hill and free airport parking. Members of Congress

But, all of these benefits come with a heavy burden on representing thousands of people. Members are required to use their votes to make decisions for our country. In this role, members choose their vote in a variety of ways. Members of Congress

Some members choose to vote as delegates – based on what they believe their people want. • Some members choose to vote as trustees – or base their decisions on their own morals and values. • Some members choose their vote as partisans – or base their choice on what the rest of their party does. Members of Congress

summary Members of Congress

To become a law, a proposed bill usually starts in the House of Representatives. • A bill can be introduced in a variety of ways – citizens demands, President recommendation, Congressional idea. • Each proposed bill is turned into the clerk and given a title and a number. How a Bill Becomes a Law

For example, “H.R. 3,410: A bill to provide…” After it is given a number and a title, the bill is entered into the House Journal and the Congressional Record. The Speaker of the House reads the bill and refers it to the correct standing committee. How a Bill Becomes a Law

Every member in Congress serves in a committee – a small group that is responsible for certain functions of our country. • There are dozens of committees, such as transportation, natural resources, foreign policy, and oversight. • That committee researches the bill to determine its worth. How a Bill Becomes a Law

After the committee is done researching the bill they report their information back to the House. • They could recommend that the bill be passed, recommend it be denied, or change the wording to make it better. • After the bill is reported the House Rules Committee schedules time for debate on the floor. How a Bill Becomes a Law

Each member is given 5 minutes to debate. The bill is then voted on– if it gets majority vote then it is approved by the House. Remember – once a bill passes in the House it still must receive majority approval in the Senate. How a Bill Becomes a Law

The rules for debating a bill in the Senate are much different than the House. Senators are allowed to debate a bill on the floor for as long as they want. Senators have used filibusters in the past – tactic to talk a bill to death. How a Bill Becomes a Law

In 1935 Huey Long, Democrat from Louisiana talked for 15 hours to stall from being approved. • There is no regulation on what you talk about in the Senate either. • Long read the Washington D.C. phone book and his favorite recipes. How a Bill Becomes a Law

Strom Thurmond, Republican from South Carolina talked for 24 hours trying to block a Civil Rights law. • Filibusters go on today – but usually they are team efforts. • There are some rules to help prevent filibusters. How a Bill Becomes a Law

Senators must stand the whole time they are speaking – no sitting, no leaning. The Senate must approve the identical version of the bill that the House apporved. If the Senate wants changes made the bill must be referred to a conference committee. How a Bill Becomes a Law

Conference committee is made up of House and Senate members and their job is to create a compromised version of the bill. • The compromised version must be passed by both House and Senate. • If a bill survives and is approved by majority House and Senate then it is sent to President for signature. How a Bill Becomes a Law

President can do four things with the bill: • 1. Signs it – bill officially becomes a law. • 2. Vetoes the bill – rejects it and Congress can override with 2/3 vote in House and Senate. • 3. Not sign it – after 10 days the bill becomes a law. • 4. Pocket Veto – not sign it, and if Congress adjourns before 10 days is up then the bill dies. How a Bill Becomes a Law

summary How a Bill Becomes a Law

The President of the United States has many roles to play. • The President acts as the Chief of State – the head of the government, and the face of the nation. • Chief Executive – the Constitution declares the President as the executive or boss of the government. President’s Job Description

Chief Administrator – President is in charge of 2.7 million civilian workers and a government that spends $3 trillion dollars a year. • Chief Diplomat – Meets and greets other world leaders to discuss treaties, and joint solutions. • Commander in Chief – Leader of the Armed Forces and the 1.4 million men and women who serve. President’s Job Description

Chief Legislator – Most important person in shaping government policy. President recommends, and sometimes demands Congressional actions. Chief of Party – leader of their political party (Democrat, Republican). President’s Job Description

Chief Citizen – President must lead by example when it comes to behavior, attitude, and actions. • The formal qualifications to become President of the United States are clear: • 35 years of age. • Natural born citizen of the U.S. • Resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years. President’s Job Description

However, there are informal qualifications to become President: President should have political experience. President should be likeable and intelligent. President’s Job Description

The National Legislature