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Our Legislative Branch: Congress

Our Legislative Branch: Congress. Legislative Branch: Local Gov’t : borough council or township supervisors State Gov’t : PA House & Senate National Gov’t : US House & Senate. Each state gets 2 Senators House is broken into “districts” House lines “redrawn” every 10 years

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Our Legislative Branch: Congress

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  1. Our Legislative Branch: Congress

  2. Legislative Branch: • Local Gov’t: borough council or township supervisors • State Gov’t: PA House & Senate • National Gov’t: US House & Senate

  3. Each state gets 2 Senators • House is broken into “districts” • House lines “redrawn” every 10 years • Gerrymandering:

  4. Powers of Congress • Expressed Powers: Article I, Section 8 • Create laws, collect taxes, borrow & coin money, declare war, govern DC • Elastic Clause • Immunity • Franking Privilege • Approve all treaties • Approve Presidential appointments (Secretaries, ambassadors, judges) • Break tied Presidential elections (House chooses Prez) • Can impeach members of government

  5. Congressional Oversight • Congress’ ability to investigate and “fix” problems in the nation • Examples: • Steroids in baseball • Hurricane Katrina • 9/11

  6. Impeachment • To be impeached means ________________ • Step 1: Indicted in House (51%) vote • Step 2: Trial in Senate • Operates like normal trial with prosecutors & defense • VP is judge unless President is on trial—then it is SC Chief Justice • Guilty verdict requires 66 votes (2/3) • If guilty, removal from office occurs

  7. Andrew Johnson • Impeached in 1868 for illegally firing & replacing the Secretary of War • Senate fell 1 vote shy of removal

  8. Bill Clinton • 1998—Ken Starr finished investigation • Was looking for wrongdoing in “Whitewater” scandal • Lewinsky worked @ White House from 1995-1996 • Affair from 1995-1997 • Discussed affair with friend Linda Tripp • Impeached in 1998 & found not guilty in 1999 • Accused of perjury • Only 50 guilty votes in Senate

  9. Limits on Congress • Cannot: • Pass ex post facto laws • Pass bill of attainders • Suspend habeas corpus • Unless in time of invasion or rebellion

  10. Organization of Senate • President of the Senate: Joe Biden (D); DE • President Pro Temp: Daniel Inouye (D); HI • Majority leader: Harry Reid (D); NV • Minority leader: Mitch McConnell (R); KY • Majority whip • Minority whip

  11. Organization of House • Speaker of the House: John Boehner (R); OH • Majority leader: Eric Cantor (R); VA • Minority leader: Nancy Pelosi (D); CA • Majority whip: • Minority whip:

  12. Our Representatives • Senators: • Bob Casey (D)—Scranton • Pat Toomey (R)—Zionsville (Lehigh County) • House member: • Glenn Thompson (R); 5thdistrict—State College

  13. Organization of PA Congress • Senate: 50 districts • President Pro Temp • Joe Scarnati (R); Brockway • House: 203 districts

  14. Committees • Committee: • Types: • Appropriations • Standing • Subcommittee • Joint/conference • Select • Membership requirements • Leadership requirements

  15. There are two things you never want to see being made. Sausage is one. Laws are the other.

  16. How a Bill Becomes a Law • Eureka moment • Referral to committee • Hearings • Markup • Floor consideration • Both chambers must vote on it • Debate/discussion • Filibuster in Senate • Cloture • Roll-call vote • Quorum needed

  17. What makes Congressmen vote the way they do? • Personal Beliefs • Constituent interests • Interest groups/lobbyists • Political Party loyalty

  18. Presidential action • Sign it • Ignore it for 10 days • Veto it • Pocket veto • Line-item veto

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