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Congress

Congress. Bicameral- made up of two parts 1. Senate 2. House of Representatives Why? Afraid Congress was going to be so strong that it would take over the duties of the other branches, so they wanted to split that power.

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Congress

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  1. Congress Bicameral- made up of two parts 1. Senate 2. House of Representatives Why? Afraid Congress was going to be so strong that it would take over the duties of the other branches, so they wanted to split that power. Solved the fight between the large states and small states (New Jersey Plan and Virginia Plan) said representation in the upper house would be equal for each state, lower house would be based on population. They had a tradition of bicameral legislatures- British Parliament was bicameral and most states already had bicameral legislatures.

  2. Congress • Made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives • Set up in article 1 of the constitution • Total 535 members • Makes the laws • Works in the Capitol building • Leadership: Presiding leader; minority leader; majority and minority whips • Committees help divide the workload

  3. House of Reps- (HoRs) • lower house • more representative of the people • 435 members • Each state has a number based on their population • One representative per district represent their district • 25 years old • 7 years a citizen • 2 year term • Leader is Speaker of the House • So many members, most of the work is done in committee • Lots of rules restricting behavior and debate (so many people to manage); has the house rules committee • Has the power of impeachment (starts the process) • All money bills must start here (“power of the purse”) • Leaders (Speaker, Minority Leader, Majority and Minority Whips) do a lot of work

  4. Senate- • Upper house • Originally chosen by State, after 17th Amendment- chosen by voters • 100 members- 2 per state • Represent the whole state • 30 years old • 9 years citizen • 6 year term • Leader is the President of the Senate (VP of the country) and President Pro Tempore • Not as many people, most work is done on the floor • Not as many rules over behavior and debate • Every 2 years 1/3 of the seats are up for election • Senators can filibuster/ended by the cloture rule • Acts as the jury in an impeachment trial (has the final say “guilty” or “not guilty” • Approves all presidential appointments and treaties

  5. Summary of Notes • In your own words, write a 5-8 sentence paragraph that explains why the founding fathers chose a bicameral legislature. • Based on prior knowledge, do you agree or disagree with their decision. Why/Why not? • Now, Read Chapters 1, 2 and 3 of 5 Steps to a 5 and. • Complete ???’s 1-20 of the Diagnostic Exam 1

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