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The Legislative Branch Congress: Structure, Membership, & Qualifications

The Legislative Branch Congress: Structure, Membership, & Qualifications . Essential Questions: How does the legislative process incorporate democratic ideals? How does the legislative branch carry out its duties and responsibilities? . Could It Possibly Be True?.

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The Legislative Branch Congress: Structure, Membership, & Qualifications

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  1. The Legislative Branch Congress: Structure, Membership, & Qualifications • Essential Questions: • How does the legislative process incorporate democratic ideals? • How does the legislative branch carry out its duties and responsibilities?

  2. Could It Possibly Be True? Could you imagine working at a company with a little over 500 employees where… • 29 have been accused of spousal abuse • 7 have been arrested for fraud • 19 have been accused of writing bad checks • 117 have bankrupted at least two businesses • 3 have been arrested fro assault • 71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit • 14 have been arrested on drug-related charges • 8 have been arrested for shoplifting

  3. The Legislative Branch bicameral– composed of of two Houses. Bicameral system allows each house to “check” the actions of the other & helps prevent Congress from passing laws in a hurry. How is the Legislative Branch organized? U.S. Congress House of Representatives Senate

  4. House of Representatives Senate The “lower” house of Congress The “upper” house of Congress

  5. The House of Representatives Membership The number of representatives each state can elect is based on the size of that state’s population. Each state has at least 1 representative. There are a total of 435 representatives.

  6. The House of Representatives Membership Every 10 years, after the census is taken, Congress determines how the seats in the House are to be apportioned, or distributed. If a state’s population decreases from one census to the next, the number of its representatives may be reduced. States whose populations grow may be entitled to more representatives. 2010 Census 2020 Census VA – 11 representatives VA – 12 representatives

  7. The House of Representatives Requirements for membership at least 25 years old a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years a legal resident of the state they represent Term of office Representatives serve 2 year terms Elections are held in November of each even-numbered year (ex. 2008, 2010, 2012…)

  8. The House of Representatives Leadership SPEAKER of the HOUSE • Elected from the majority party • Presiding officer of the House • No representative may speak until called on, or recognized, by the Speaker. • Third in line of Presidential succession

  9. The House of Representatives Special Powers Powers that only the House of Representatives has: begin impeachment hearings initiate bills to raise money (appropriation bills) select president when no candidate receives sufficient electoral votes

  10. The Senate Membership Each state is represented equally 2 members per state 100 Senators total

  11. The Senate Requirements for membership at least 30 years old a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years a legal resident of the state they represent Term of office Representatives serve 6 year terms. One third (1/3) of the Senate’s membership comes up for election every two years in Nov.

  12. The Senate Leadership Vice President • according to the Constitution, presides over the Senate • only votes to break a tie President pro tempore (pro tem) • a member of the majority party • elected to fill in for the Vice President when necessary

  13. The Senate Special Powers Powers that only the Senate has: approves treaties hold impeachment trials approves Presidential appointments Select the Vice President when no candidate has sufficient electoral votes

  14. Summary Summarize each house of Congress. Include the following information in your summary: -Number of members -Qualifications for membership -Term of office -Special powers of each house

  15. Apportionment/Reapportionment • Apportionment • Def—Divided up based on population • Required by Constitution • But when House got “too big,” Congress just quit reapportioning in 1920 • Reapportionment Act of 1929 • Set “automatic reapportionment” • Set the “permanent” size of House at 435 • The Census Bureau is to determine the number of seats each state should have following the new census (every 10 yrs.) • When the plan is ready, the President must send it to Congress • If, within 60 days, neither house rejects the plan, it goes into effect

  16. Problem with Reapportionment • Gerrymandering • Definition: Manipulating of political boundaries to favor one political party over another • Types of Gerrymandering • Packing=Goal is to concentrate certain group of voters into one district • Cracking=spread them out to dilute their influence Term… • Example DDRRDD DDRRDD DDRRDD • Racial issues?

  17. Examples of Gerrymandering

  18. Simple Gerrymanding Example 20 Most Gerrymandered Congressional Districts http://www.slate.com/id/2208216/slideshow/2208554/fs/0//entry/2208555/

  19. Simple Gerrymanding Example 20 Most Gerrymandered Congressional Districts http://www.slate.com/id/2208216/slideshow/2208554/fs/0//entry/2208555/

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