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The Legislative Branch: Powers, Structure, and Responsibilities

Learn about the Legislative Branch of the United States Federal Government, also known as Congress. Discover the powers described in Article I of the Constitution, the structure of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the role of Congress in checks and balances. Explore the key responsibilities of Congress, including the power of the purse, military authority, and the ability to approve presidential nominations. Understand the process of impeachment and the power to override a presidential veto.

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The Legislative Branch: Powers, Structure, and Responsibilities

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  1. Legislative Branch of the United States Federal Government • The Federal Government is divided into three separate but equal branches • The Legislative Branch makes up one third of the Federal Government

  2. Basic Information • Powers described in Article I of the Constitution • Often called “Congress” • Assembles in the Capital Building on Capital Hill • Divided into two parts (bicameral): • House of Representatives • Senate

  3. House of Representatives • Often called the “House” • 435 voting members • Members are called representatives or congressmen • Representatives serve terms of two years • Representation is determined by population • California- 53 Representatives (most) • Tennessee- 9 Representatives • Wyoming – 1 Representative (seven states have only one representative because of low population)

  4. Leader of the House of Representatives Speaker of the House John Boehner (R)

  5. Senate • Upper house of Congress • 100 members • Senators serve terms of six years • 2 Senators serve from each state, regardless of population • California – 2 Senators • Tennessee – 2 Senators • Wyoming – 2 Senators

  6. Senate Leadership • President of the Senate • Votes only to break ties • Is also the Vice President of the United States • President pro tempore • Officially, the highest ranking senator • Serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the Vice President • A position of honor but not necessarily of power • The “real” leader of the Senate is the….

  7. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D)

  8. Lamar Alexander (R) Bob Corker (R) Tennessee Senators

  9. Tennessee Representatives • Phil Roe (R) 1st district • John Duncan Jr. (R) 2nd district • Chuck Fleischmann (R) 3rd district • Scott DesJarlais (R) 4th district • Jim Cooper (D) 5th district • Diane Black (R) 6th district • Marsha Blackburn (R) 7th district • Stephen Fincher (R) 8th district • Steve Cohen (D) 9th district

  10. Congressional Power • Powers of the Purse • Power to Tax • Power to Regulate Commerce • Power to Borrow • Power to Coin Monies • Power to control the Budget

  11. Military Authority • Power to Declare War • Only five declared wars in the history of the United States • The military has acted without congressional involvement over 125 times • Authority over the military is a primary responsibility of the executive branch Invasion of Grenada

  12. “Checks” over the other branches • Approves Presidential nominations • Federal judges (including Supreme Court Nominees) • Cabinet members • Head of Federal Agencies Elena Kagan Robert Bork nominated and confirmed nominated and not confirmed

  13. Impeachments • Power to impeach: • The President • Vice President • Federal Judges

  14. Veto Override • Power to override a presidential veto with a supermajority (two thirds majority) 2/3

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