The Legislative Branch

1. The Legislative Branch November 14, 2013

2. The House of Representatives 435 • There are currently ____ members in the House • They serve _____ terms • Number of representatives in each state is determined by____________ • 1 representative for every _______________ 2 year population 30,000 citizens How many representatives does Wisconsin have in the House?

3. The House of Representatives • Gerrymandering: drawing congressional districts to the advantage of a particular political party • Districts are redrawn every 10 years after which event? • Why are districts redrawn every 10 years?

4. District 4, 2001

5. District 4, 2011

6. The House of Representatives • Qualifications: • Age: ____ • Citizen for ____ years • Live in ___________________ 25 7 State they are representing

7. The Senate 100 • There are currently _____members in the senate • Senators serve ___ year terms • Only ____ of the senators are re-elected every ____ years • Each state receives ___ senators 6 1/3 2 2

8. The Senate • Qualifications: • Age: ___ • Citizen for ___ years • Live in ___________________ 30 9 State they are representing

9. Powers of the Legislature • Expressed Powers: Powers given to Congress by the Constitution • The Power to: • Declare War • Sign Treaties • Determine qualifications for citizenship • Establish post offices • Standardize weights and measures • Acquire U.S. territory • Levy taxes • Print Money

10. Powers of the Legislature • Implied Powers: Granted by reasonable deduction by the expressed powers • The “necessary and proper” or “elastic” clause • What are some examples of implied powers?

11. Important Legislators • The House of Representatives: John Boehner (R-OH) Speaker of the House Eric Cantor (R-VA) Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Minority Leader

12. Important Legislators • The Senate: John Leahy (D-VT) President Pro-Tempore Joe Biden Vice President & President of the Senate Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Majority Leader