Congress: the legislative branch

1. Congress: the legislative branch By. Janine Hepler

2. Congress • Legislative (lawmaking) branch of government • 1st branch described in the Constitution • Article I • Founders intended Congress to lead the executive & judicial branches

4. Bicameralism • Congress is made of 2 chambers (houses)

6. Why Bicameralism?—3 Reasons • Historical Roots • British Tradition (Parliament) • Federalism • Resolved population debate (VA vs. NJ Plan) • Checks & Balances • Gives power to both Houses

13. Congress Review

14. The Members of Congress Roles Played by Our Representatives

15. The Balancing Act • Congress men & women take on many roles in their daily jobs as our leaders—as they vote on bills

17. The Members of Congress: Roles • Assignment • Read pgs. 249-53 • Describe the duties that member of Congress fulfill within each role—defining each • Answer questions #1, 2, & 4 on pg. 253

18. Congressional Roles

19. REVIEW: Congressional Roles • Voting NO on a bill that eases abortion laws because it goes against your party’s platform. • Voting YES on a bill that increases benefits paid to soldiers fighting in Afghanistan because you personally believe in the war against terrorism • Voting YES on a bill that will bring new jobs to Stark County because many of your constituents are unemployed & are seeking work. • Voting NO on a bill that would raise taxes because you feel that it goes against your party’s beliefs, your personal wants, & the needs of your constituents. Delegate Partisan Politico Trustee

20. Congressional Compensation & Privileges

21. Compensation & Privileges Salary $174,000 Privileges “Cloak of Immunity” Immune from arrest for misdemeanors during congressional sessions Can’t be sued for libel Other Compensation Tax deductions Travel allowances Low-cost health insurance Pension plan Money for offices/staff Franking privilege

24. The House of Representatives A Closer Look

25. The “People’s House” • Closest to the people—lower house • Smallest constituency • Once the only branch of the federal government that was directly elected

26. House Qualifications & Terms

27. Facts About the House… • Population-based • 435 members • Every state has at least 1 member • Members are apportioned & reapportioned every 10 years

28. Characteristics of the House • Younger membership • Less prestigious • Lower visibility • Concentrated power • Organized by hierarchy • Smaller constituencies • Acts more quickly • Formal & rigid rules Jim Renacci (R)

29. Membership Profile • Long-standing, respected community members • Upper-income, wealthy professionals • Active in civic/local) organizations • Politically-experienced (state/local)

30. Why Incumbents Rule! • Incumbents almost never lose • 92% Reelection Rate since WWII • Name Recognition • Greater Media Access • Better Funding • Accumulate political goodwill • “Pork Barrel” spending projects

31. Louisville is represented by DISTRICT 16

32. Ohio must reapportion its districts following the 2010 census. LOSING 2 SEATS

33. REVIEW: Reapportionment Act of 1929 • The Reapportionment Act of 1929 ONLY affects the _____ chamber of Congress NOT the _______. • The Reapportionment Act of 1929 fixed the size of the House of Representatives at _____ total members. • According to the Act, the results of the ______ taken every 10 years would be used to _________ House seats. • Following the census, __________ in the states are redrawn to reflect the population change.

34. Gerrymandering

36. Where did gerrymandering come from? ● The original gerrymander was created in 1812 by Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry, who crafted a district for political purposes. ● Boston Weekly Messengerthought it looked like a salamander. And named it the “Gerrymander”

37. The Original Gerrymander

38. What is the purpose of gerrymandering? • To concentrate opposition votes into a few districts to gain more seats for the majority in surrounding districts (called packing) -OR- • To diffuse minority strength across many districts (called dilution).

39. The Senate A Closer Look

40. The “Upper House” • More prestigious than the House of Representatives • Larger constituencies • Equal representation for each state

41. Facts About the Senate • Each state is given 2 Senators • Senators are elected at-large by direct vote • Encouraged to debate issues • Continuous Body

42. Senate Qualifications & Terms

43. Characteristics of the Senate • Older membership • Less formal & rigid rules • Less hierarchy • Acts more slowly • Power is less concentrated • Larger constituencies • More prestige • Higher visibility • Unlimited debate • Approves & rejects Presidential decisions

44. Membership Profile • Wealthy membership • Focus on reelection campaigns • Face higher prestige & increased responsibility than their colleagues in the House • Use Senate as stepping stone to higher office Rob Portman (R) Sherrod Brown (D)

47. REVIEW: Congressional Elections • Congressional elections are held on the ________, following the first _________, in ____________ during ____________ years. • Members of the House run for reelection every ___ years. • Every 2 years, ____ of the Senate stands for reelection, thus they are described as a _________. • Elections held in non-presidential years are referred to as ______ elections

48. Strict vs. Liberal Construction The Scope of Congressional Power

49. Historical Perspective Framers intended to create a new & stronger National Gov’t. Many of the conflicts b/t Federalists & Antifederalists centered on the powers of Congress

50. Strict vs. Liberal Construction