The Legislative Branch

1. The Legislative Branch Zachary HuangSonny HoIsaiah Lin

2. Structure of Congress • Bicameral or two-house legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate • House consists of 435 members apportioned by population, term is 2 years with the entire house elected every 2 years, must be at least 25 years of age and a citizen for 7 years • Senate consists of 100 members(2 from each state), term is 6 years with one-third of the Senate elected every 2 years, must be at least 30 years of age and a citizen for 9 years • The Senate is usually more prestigious

3. The House and the Senate • Congress designed to be branch of government that is most responsible for the development of the republic • Only federal branch where people directly elect members • Given bulk of duties listed in the constitution • Most of the laws written concern the actions of congress

4. Duties of Congress • Creates laws • Designed to be complex and deliberate • Vast majority of potential ideas rejected • Compromise required • Constitutional Duties • Taxation • Interstate commerce • Declarations of war • Organizing the military • The “Elastic Clause” has allowed Congress to add to its responsibilities and powers

5. Other Duties • Beyond creating legislation • Expected to help if constituents face problems with bureaucracy • Expected to help with local disasters and conflicts • Work with local and state leaders • Meet with civic groups • Oversees national conflicts and problems • React and compromise to president’s agenda • Approve presidential appointments

6. Other Duties (cont.) • Federal Budget • Develops annual federal budget • Fiscal Year • Budget starts October 1st, ends end of following September • Office of Management and Budget first creates budget • Congress Prioritizes items • Creates national tax system to fund budget • If Congress can’t create taxes that cover the budget, they must take responsibility for allowing nation to borrow the needed funds

7. Committee System • Too many ideas presented to Congress • Committee system devised to divide the duties of Congress into smaller units • Led by a Seniority system where the longest length of committee service chosen as chairperson • Types of committees • A standing committee is a permanent committee that deals with specific policy matters • A select committee is a temporary committee appointed for a specific purpose • A joint committee is made up of members of both houses of Congress • A conference committee is a temporary committee of members from both houses of Congress, created to resolve the differences in House and Senate versions of a bill.

8. Leadership of Congress • The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer and most powerful member of the House • House of Representatives • The Speaker’s duties include assigning bills to committee, controlling floor debate, and appointing party members to committees • The Majority leader serves as the major assistant to the speaker • The Minority floor leader is the major spokesperson for the minority party and organizes opposition to the majority party • Senate • Vice president is the presiding officer of the Senate according to the Constitution • He may not debate and can only vote to break a tie • The president pro tempore is a senior member of the majority party chosen to preside in the absence of the Senate president • The Majority floor leader is the most influential member of the Senate

9. Privileges of Members of Congress • Allowances for offices in their district or home state • Travel allowances • The franking privilege • (Mailing privilege) • Immunity from arrest while conducting congressional business • Immunity from libel or slander suits for their speech or debate in Congress

10. Incumbency effect • Incumbency- tendency of those already holding office to win reelection. • Stronger in the House then in the Senate. • Advantages of incumbency may include name recognition and credit claiming

11. Legislative Tactics • Caucuses- may form voting blocs • Filibuster and cloture-unlimited debate in an attempt to stall action on a bill, cloture is a method that limits a filibuster • Pork barrel legislation- an attempt to provide funds for a member’s home district or state.

12. Influences on Congress • Constituents may influence members of congress because they help them win elections • Senior members of congress often influence newer members • Party influences • Presidents often lobby members to support legislation through phone calls • Lobbyists and interests groups provide members with information on topics