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Unit 4: The Legislative Branch

Unit 4: The Legislative Branch. Introduction to Congress. Legal Basis of Congress Found in Article I of Constitution A Bicameral Congress Definition: a legislative body made up of two houses Reasons: Historical : British Parliament consisted of two houses

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Unit 4: The Legislative Branch

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  1. Unit 4:The Legislative Branch

  2. Introduction to Congress • Legal Basis of Congress • Found in Article I of Constitution • A Bicameral Congress • Definition: a legislative body made up of two houses • Reasons: • Historical: British Parliament consisted of two houses • Practical: Settled conflict over NJ and VA Plans • Theoretical: Created additional checks and balances

  3. Art. I, Sect. 2 – House of Representatives • Total Number: 435 • TermLength: 2 years • Qualifications: • 25 years old • American citizen for 7 years • Resident of that state • Apportionment: number of Reps based on population • Salary: $174,000, $223,500 (Speaker) • Speaker of House presides • Has sole power to Impeach – accuse or bring accusations

  4. Art. I, Sect. 3 – The Senate • Total Number: 100 • TermLength: 6 years • Qualifications: • 30 years old • American citizen for 9 years • Resident of that state • Apportionment: 2 senators per state • Salary: $174,000, $193,400 (party leaders) • Vice President presides over Senate, can cast only a deciding vote – to break tie • President pro tempore presides when VP is absent • Has sole power to try Impeachments

  5. A TERM of Congress • Definition: a time in which all the members of Congress are the same (no elections during this time) • Each lasts for two years and is consecutively numbered • A new term begins on Jan. 3rd of an odd year • We are currently in the 112th Term which began Jan. 3, 2011 and will end on Jan. 3, 2013 • http://www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/termsofcongress.html

  6. A SESSION of Congress • Definition: a period of time in which Congress assembles and does work • Other info: • Two sessions for each term of Congress (1 year each) • Congress adjourns or suspends each session as they see fit • Currently, they work for most of the year but will recess for several short periods • Special Sessions • A meeting to deal with an emergency situation • There have been only 26 called in history • Most recent: Harry Truman, in 1948, to consider anti-inflation and welfare measures post-WWII

  7. Term Session Session

  8. Key Terms – House of Reps • Apportioned: seats are distributed in the House based on a state’s population • Higher population More districts • As of 2008: about 700,000 people per district • Reapportioned: seats are redistributed following a census every 10 years • Off-yearElections: elections held between Presidential elections (mid-term)

  9. Gerrymandering • Definition: redrawing districts to benefit one political party over the other, usually done by the party in power

  10. Key Terms – Senate • “Continuous Body”: Senate terms are staggered, meaning only a third (33 or 34) of the senators are up for re-election every 2 years • Constituency: the people (constituents) and the interests the elected official represents • Since Senators represent a larger constituency, they are regarded as national political leaders • Representative = one district • Senator = entire state

  11. The Members of Congress • “Average” Member: white male in early 50’s • More women than ever • Variety of minorities represented • Most members are married with children • Have some type of religious affiliations • Most members have considerable political experience • Do you think this changes the way Congress functions?

  12. 112th Congress House of Reps Senate

  13. The Members of Congress • Jobs: • Legislators: write laws/bills, vote • Representatives of Constituents • Trustee – A lawmaker who votes based on their own conscience and judgment, not the views of their constituents • Delegate – Lawmaker who votes based on how their constituents tell them to vote • Partisan – Lawmaker who owes their allegiance to their political party and votes according to party lines • Politico – Lawmaker who attempts to balance the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles

  14. How Congress Organizes

  15. Opening Day • Each new Term begins on January 3rd of an odd year. • The House chooses the Speaker, members are sworn in, and they adopt new rules and appoint members to committees. • The Senate (a continuous body) swears in new and re-elected members, vacancies in Senate organizations and committees are filled.

  16. When both are organized, they let the President know they are “ready” and wait for him/her to deliver the State of the Union Message • “He shall from time to time give to the Congress information on the State of the Union…” • -Article II, Section 3

  17. II. Presiding OfficersHouse

  18. Current Leadership in the 112th Congress • House of Representatives • Speaker of the House • John A. Boehner (R-OH) • Majority Leader • Eric Cantor (R-VA) • Majority Whip • Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) • Minority Leader • Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) • Minority Whip • Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

  19. II. Presiding OfficersSenate

  20. Current Leadership in the 112th Congress • Senate • President Pro Tempore • Daniel Inouye (D-HI) • Majority Leader • Harry Reid (D-NV) • Majority Whip • Richard Durbin (D-IL) • House Minority Leader • Mitch McConnell (R-KY) • Minority Whip • Jon Kyl (R-AZ)

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