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Lawmaking Body

Lawmaking Body. Sweet… International Law too.

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Lawmaking Body

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  1. Lawmaking Body Sweet… International Law too

  2. U.S. Congress or federal legislature consist of two house (bicameral).-Senate-100 members (2 from each state)-House-435 member (Population of State)**The Constitution gives the congress the power to pass laws that every state must obey. Congress passes federal statutes that affects people in every state.Federal statutes: 1. Environment 2. National Defense3. Homeland Security 4. Labor Relations 5. Public health6. Civil Rights 7. Post & TaxesAll states have a bicameral leg. except for Nebraska (unicameral)

  3. Gerrymandering*Redrawing congressional districts to favor one political party.*Gerrymandering is illegal if proven and has a negative connotation.The original “gerrymandering” was in Massachusetts in 1812. Govenor Elbridge Gerry created a district that was obviously motivated by politics. The shape of the congressional district looked like a salamander. The political cartoonist combined the governors last name and the salamander to come up with Gerrymander.

  4. Most states meet annually, or once a year. Passing laws only impact the state.1. Traffic 2. Education 3. State Taxes4. Marriage & Divorce 5. Most criminal Laws**Federal and State laws can conflict, however, the federal government is the supreme law authority . Constitution trumps the state.i.e. 1960’s federal law against racial segregation in restaurants and hotels came into conflict with some states that required separate accommodations for minorities.

  5. Courts rules state law invalid based on VI of the Constitution, the supremacy clause. “The Constitution and the laws of the U.S. shall be the supreme law of the land.”*Bills are used to enact new laws or amend old laws. Ideas for laws come from legislatures, executive, citizens, lobbyist.(School House Rocks)If a bill becomes a law, the people must obey. Sometimes the language of a law is open to different interpretations. Disputes over what a law means frequently ends up in court. Judge who interprets what the legislature means is determining legislative intent.

  6. Representation112th Congress (2ndSession)Senate Majority Leader=Harry Reid (D-NV)Senate Minority Leader=Mitch McConnell (R-KY)Speaker of the House=John Boehner (R-OH)Ohio RepresentationGovernor=John KaisichState Representative=Pat TiberiSenators=Sharrod Brown (D)Rob Portman (R)http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd?state=OH

  7. How a Bill becomes a law!1. Legislation introduced2. Committee Action3. Floor Action4. Conference Committee5. To the President (signs or veto)6. Bill becomes a law**cloture, filibuster, discharge petition, hopper, rider,**Members of legislative branch

  8. Drafting a Bill-Legislation is often drafted and redrafted before being introduced by the legislative body.-Things to consider when drafting laws:1. Is the law written clearly?2. Is the law understandable?3. Does the law contradict any other law(s)?4. Are the penalties for breaking the law clear?i.e. if a bill says, “it shall be illegal to gather on a street corner without good reason” would be considered to vague.Legislatures are now attempting to write simple clear English rather than using traditional legal language. Some would say that laws are in language that is too complex.

  9. AgenciesLegislative bodies authorized administration agencies to develop rules and regulations to make laws more specific. These laws influence almost every aspect of our lives.i.e. Congress passed laws requiring safe working conditions in places of employment (Occupational Safety & Health Administration).i.e. Environmental Protection Agency=national safeguard for the environment.-Department of Homeland Security-Department of Transportation

  10. Agencies Continued-”You are better off not knowing how laws and sausages are made” ---Anonymous *Administrating agencies are really hidden law makers. Making numerous rules and regulations on society. -i.e. regulations govern the amount of pesticides that can be used on produce, the number of animals killed by a hunter.**Regulations issued by these agencies become law without being voted upon. However, agencies usually hold public hearings before issuing proposed regulations. This gives people a chance to express their view points.http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bureaucracy

  11. International Law*Defined as the law(s) that apply to the conduct of countries.--Treaty is an agreement or contract between countries. Typically enforced by United Nations.**Five Permanent Members**1. United States2. France3. Great Britain4. Russia5. China

  12. What was the reason for the creation of the U.N.1. Watch Germany2. A place for International Conversation3. Avoid World War III4. World Police?History of United Nations1. League of Nations2. World War II3. Cold War, Containment, & Truman (1945/47)

  13. Facts about the U.N.1. Over 200 members2. 10 elected members (2 year members) General Assembly3. Ban Ki Moon is the General Secretary (like the president)4. U.N. headquarters in New York.5. International Court is in the Hague, Netherlands Some of the Organizations that are made by the members1. Commission on Human Rights2. International Monetary Fund3. World Trade Organization4. World Bank

  14. Questions about the U.N The U. S. is single handedly the biggest contributor to the U.N. Many people believe that that U.S. is too involved and gives too much $$ and resources. What is the purpose of the U.N. today? What should the U.S. involvement be in the U.N? What is the future of the U.N?

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