Civics Chapter 6 Sections 1 & 2

How Congress Is Organized Article I Article I Legislative Branch most powerful Legislative Branch most powerful Term begins in January & lasts 2 years Term begins in January & lasts 2 years

Bicameral Legislature Bicameral – two-part – legislature established by the Great Compromise Bicameral – two-part – legislature established by the Great Compromise House of Representatives has 435 members – chosen by population House of Representatives has 435 members – chosen by population Population counted by the Census Bureau Population counted by the Census Bureau Census – population count taken every 10 years Census – population count taken every 10 years

States Divided into districts Divided into districts One representative per district One representative per district Constituents – people represented Constituents – people represented Gerrymandering – oddly shaped district to increase the voting strength of a particular group. (abuse) Gerrymandering – oddly shaped district to increase the voting strength of a particular group. (abuse)

Senate 100 members 100 members Two from each state Two from each state Senators represent their entire state Senators represent their entire state Serve 6 year terms Serve 6 year terms

Congressional Leaders Majority Party – political party more than half the members belong Majority Party – political party more than half the members belong Minority Party – political party with the least number of members Minority Party – political party with the least number of members Speaker of the House – most powerful leader in the House of Representatives Speaker of the House – most powerful leader in the House of Representatives

Speaker of the House Always belongs to the majority party Always belongs to the majority party In charge of floor debates & most business In charge of floor debates & most business 3 rd in command after President & Vice President 3 rd in command after President & Vice President

Leader of the Senate Vice President Vice President VP only votes when there is a tie VP only votes when there is a tie President pro tempore – chair person of the Senate President pro tempore – chair person of the Senate President pro tempore filled by majority party President pro tempore filled by majority party

Floor leaders Try to pass laws in best interest of their party Try to pass laws in best interest of their party Speak for their party Speak for their party Party “whips” keep track of how people stand. Party “whips” keep track of how people stand.

Committees Each house has permanent standing committees – continue their work from session to session. Each house has permanent standing committees – continue their work from session to session. Both houses have select committees – created to do a special job for a limited time. Both houses have select committees – created to do a special job for a limited time. Joint committees – members from both houses Joint committees – members from both houses

Conference committees – help the House & Senate agree on a proposed law. Conference committees – help the House & Senate agree on a proposed law. Committees are chosen based on preference, expertise, loyalty & seniority – years of service. Committees are chosen based on preference, expertise, loyalty & seniority – years of service. Chair persons of standing committees are the most powerful people in Congress. Chair persons of standing committees are the most powerful people in Congress.

Powers of Congress Article I of the Constitution lists expressed powers – powers specifically given. Article I of the Constitution lists expressed powers – powers specifically given. Implied powers – to make laws which are “necessary & proper”. Implied powers – to make laws which are “necessary & proper”. Elastic Clause – allows Congress to stretch powers to meet certain needs. Elastic Clause – allows Congress to stretch powers to meet certain needs.

Congress’ Power Collect taxes –Tax bills must start in the House & be approved by the Senate. Congress spends money by a two-step process: 1. Authorization bills – create projects & set an amount to be spent on them. 2. Appropriations bills – Provide the money for each program

Additional Powers Commerce Clause - Congress has the power to regulate foreign & interstate commerce. Commerce Clause - Congress has the power to regulate foreign & interstate commerce. ONLY Congress can declare war ONLY Congress can declare war Congress has the power to create, maintain & oversee an army & navy. Congress has the power to create, maintain & oversee an army & navy.

Non-Legislative Powers Can propose Constitutional amendments Can propose Constitutional amendments Counts electoral votes Counts electoral votes Check other branches Check other branches –Senate can approve/reject President’s nominations

House may impeach – accuse – officials of misconduct House may impeach – accuse – officials of misconduct Majority (House) vote to impeach, matter goes to the Senate Majority (House) vote to impeach, matter goes to the Senate Two-thirds vote in Senate required to remove a person from office Two-thirds vote in Senate required to remove a person from office Congress oversees government activities Congress oversees government activities

Limits on Power May not pass laws that violate the Bill of Rights May not pass laws that violate the Bill of Rights Cannot suspend writ of habeas corpus – court order that requires police to explain why they are holding a suspect. Cannot suspend writ of habeas corpus – court order that requires police to explain why they are holding a suspect. May not pass bills of attainder laws – laws to punish a person without a jury trial May not pass bills of attainder laws – laws to punish a person without a jury trial

Congress may not pass ex post facto laws – laws that make an act a crime after something has been committed. Congress may not pass ex post facto laws – laws that make an act a crime after something has been committed. Congress may not interfere with laws reserved for the states Congress may not interfere with laws reserved for the states Other branches can check the power of Congress Other branches can check the power of Congress –Supreme Court declare laws unconstitutional –President can veto bills.