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Article 1 U.S. Constitution. The Legislative Branch. Also known as Congress. Housed in Washington DC in the Capital Building. Writes Federal laws. Bicameral-two houses. Congress. A representative assembly, made up of 535 elected officials.
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Article 1 U.S. Constitution The Legislative Branch
Also known asCongress • Housed in Washington DC in the Capital Building. • Writes Federal laws. • Bicameral-two houses
Congress • A representative assembly, made up of 535 elected officials. • Serve as links between their constituents and the National Government. • Begins a new term every two years, on January 3 of every odd numbered year. • Follows a general elections in November.
Congress members have Five major roles • Legislators (writes laws) • Represent their constituents (the people back home that elected them) • Committee members • Servants of their constituents by helping with various problems. • Politician
Senate • Know as the Upper House. • 100 Senators total. • Two from each of the fifty states. • Led by the U.S. Vice President • (Joe Biden)
Qualifications for the Senate Must be: • 30 years old • A U.S. citizen for at least 9 years. • Must be an inhabitant of the State from which she/he is elected.
Term for the Senate • Elected from the State at-large (the whole State). • Since they represent the entire state they are supposed to look at the larger picture, “national interests” rather than smaller local issues. • Serve a six year term, no term limit. • 1/3 of the Senate is up for election every two years (A Continuous body).
The House of Representatives • Led by the Speaker of the House (From the party in power, that has the majority) • Known as the Lower House. • 435 members. • Number of representatives per state is based on population. • Each one represents a congressional district with roughly 650,000 people in it.
Qualifications for the House of Representatives Must be: • 25 years or older • A U.S. citizen for at least 7 years. • Must be an inhabitant of the State from which she/he is elected.
Term for the House • Article 1 of the Constitution directs Congress to reapportion (redistribute) the seats in the House after each decennial census. • They serve a two year term. • Elections are held on the same day in every State, the Tuesday following the first Monday in November each even numbered year. • There is no term limit!
Gerrymandering • A Congressional district map that has been drawn to the advantage of the political party that controls the states legislature. • To gain Partisan advantage.