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The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch. Chapter 8. The Members of Congress. Section One. The Responsibilities of Lawmaking. Local versus national needs Congressmen/women represent their constituents Congressmen/women also represent the whole nation

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The Legislative Branch

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  1. The Legislative Branch Chapter 8

  2. The Members of Congress Section One

  3. The Responsibilities of Lawmaking • Local versus national needs • Congressmen/women represent their constituents • Congressmen/women also represent the whole nation • Sometimes the needs of the two come into conflict with one another • What would be an example of a conflict?

  4. The Responsibilities of Lawmaking • Political party they belong to • Democratic • Republican • Pressure to support the party’s position on issues before Congress • Can cause difficult choices

  5. The Responsibilities of Lawmaking • Interest Groups • Groups of people who work together for similar interests or goals • Can supply votes and money • Example: American Medical Association • Work to convince senators and representatives to support bills that help their members and oppose bills that hurt members • Done through lobbyists • People who represent interest groups

  6. The Responsibilities of Lawmaking • Servants of the People • Gives information and help to constituents who have special problems • Why is this role particularly important? • Factors in Decision Making • Must weigh the information that is a conflict between all involved • What will the result of the bill do in the long run?

  7. Work Work Work • Congress members have a lot of information to learn about issues they must vote on • Meetings…lots of meetings! • And a lot of help from assistants and case workers

  8. Senators • 2 per state • Focuses on interests of the whole state • 6 year terms • 1/3 elected every two years, to keep experienced people in the Senate and stable

  9. Representatives • Based on population based on census data • 435 seats total • Represented area in a state called a congressional district-one district for each rep. with same population in each • 2 year terms

  10. Requirements, Salary, Benefits • Must live in the state in which elected • Representatives must be 25 years old and a citizen for 7 years • Senators must be 30 years old and a citizen for 9 years • Annual salary of $162,100 in 2005 • Also have allowances for travel, running offices, staff salaries, and free use of postal service

  11. The Powers of Congress Section Two

  12. Powers Given to Congress and Limits on the Powers • The Framers kept the goals of the Preamble in Mind • Turn to page 218 in your textbook • Get out your graphic organizer • Work in groups of two or three completing the organizer • We will have a discussion after you are done

  13. How Congress is Organized Section Three

  14. Congress Organizes! • Congress begins a new term every two years on odd years, like January,2011 • Two sessions: one per year • We are currently on our 112thCongress • The House reorganizes every two years; however, the Senate never has to completely reorganize because only 1/3 of their seats are up every two years

  15. Leadership in Congress • Senate • Vice President of US is the presiding officer (can only vote in a tie) (Constitution) • President pro tempore is next-presides when VP is absent (Constitution) • Has floor leaders and whips too • House of Rep. • Speaker of the House is presiding officer (Constitution) • Floor leaders for the majority and minority party • Assistant floor leaders-whips

  16. Leadership in the 112thCongress The House of Representatives The Senate President/ VP Joe Biden President Pro-Tempore Daniel Inouye Speaker John Boehner Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Majority Leader Eric Cantor Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Majority Leader Harry Reid Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy Minority Whip Steny Hoyer Majority Whip Dick Durbin Minority Whip John Kyl

  17. Committees • Control the fate of bills • More than 10,000 bills are introduced in one term of Congress! • They need help! • Hence….committees • They are “experts” • Yes, we will watch “I’m Just a Bill” soon! • But first…

  18. Standing Committees • 16 permanent standing committees in the Senate • 20 permanent standing committees in the House • Each standing committee deals with a specific area, like banking or education

  19. Select and Joint Committees • Joint committees • Made up of both members of the House of Representatives and Senate • Usually select committees, formed to conduct investigations • Select committees • Formed to deal with a problem not covered in a standing committee

  20. Conference Committees • If the two houses cannot agree on a bill, a conference committee is formed • It is also a joint committee • Tries to settle issues with a bill

  21. What about the President? • After a bill passes by a majority in both houses of Congress…it goes to the president • The specifics will be covered when we get to “Bill”

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