CHAPTER 2 - LAWMAKING

BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AT EACH LEVEL LEVEL Federal State City School President Governor Mayor Superintendent JUDICIAL Congress State legislature City Council School Board Supreme Court State Supreme Court Court System EXECUTIVELEGISLATIVE

LEGISLATURE - THE PRIMARY LAWMAKING BODY AS DEFINED BY ARTICLE I OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION WHICH STATES THAT CONGRESS IS MADE UP BY A SENATE AND A HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LEGISLATURE - THE PRIMARY LAWMAKING BODY AS DEFINED BY ARTICLE I OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION WHICH STATES THAT CONGRESS IS MADE UP BY A SENATE AND A HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 435 Members 5 Delegates 1 Resident Commissioner 246 Republicans 188 Democrats 0 Independents 1 Vacancies SENATE 100 Senators (Vice President votes in case of a tie) 44 Democrats 54 Republicans 2 Independents

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT/NAMEPARTYROOMPHONECOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT 1 KELLY, TRENT R1427 LHOB AGRICULTURE SMALL BUSINESS 2 THOMPSON, BENNIE G. D2466 RHOB HOMELAND SECURITY 3 HARPER, GREGG R307 CHOB ENERGY & COMMERCE HOUSE ADMINISTRATION JOINT LIBRARY 4 PALAZZO, STEVEN R331 CHOB APPROPRIATIONS

SENATORS- MISSISSIPPI NAMEPARTYLOCATION PHONE COCHRAN, THAD R 113 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING (202) WICKER, ROGER R 555 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING (202)

CONGRESS – ARTICLE I HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – SECTION 2 Representation is based on the population of the state that they represent. Must be at least 25 yrs. old Must live in the state they represent Must be a US citizen for 7 years. Serves a 2 yr. term (no term limits) SENATE – SECTION 3 Must be at least 30 yrs. old Must live in the state they represent Must be a US citizen for 9 years. Serves a 6 yr. term (no term limits)

CONGRESS – ARTICLE I Section 8 of Article I defines the powers of Congress, some of which are: 1. Create and collect taxes 2. Borrow money on credit for US. 3. Regulate commerce with foreign Nations 4. Coin money 5. Promote the progress of science and useful arts 6. To punish and define piracies and felonies committed on the high seas 7. To declare war 8. To provide and maintain a Navy and to call upon the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions

TERMS 1. Statues 2. Tribal Council 3. Ordinances 4. Supremacy Clause 5. Bills 6. Legislative Intent 7. Drafting 8. Agencies 9. Public Hearings 10. Trials 11. Appeals 12. Appellate courts 13. Precedent 14. Too Vague 15. Treaty 16. Extradition

LEGISLATURE Statutes – Laws Federal statutes deal with issues of national impact, such as environmental quality, national defense, homeland security, labor relations, veterans affairs, public health, civil rights, economic development, postal services, federal taxes, and social security and other benefits programs. The Federal Government has limited power as defined by the Constitution. States have greater power to pass legislation. Tribal Council– governing body of Native American tribes. For example, the Choctaw Nation located in MS has a legislative body that regulates their reservation.

LEGISLATURE Ordinances – Locally passed laws. Examples: land use, parking, schools, and local business regulations. Supremacy Clause – as established by Article VI of the Constitution, state laws cannot replace federal law. “The Constitution and the Laws of the United States…shall be the supreme law of the land.” Likewise, federal statutes cannot intrude the rights of the states; otherwise the laws can be found unconstitutional.

DRAFTING A BILL 1. Is the law written in clear language? 2. Is the law understandable? 3. When does the law go into effect? 4. Does the law contradict any other laws? 5. Is the law enforceable? If so, by whom? 6. Are the penalties for breaking the law clear and reasonable?

AGENCIES AGENCIES – GROUP OR ORGANIZATION THAT DEVELOPS RULES AND REGULATIONS TO MAKE LAWS MORE SPECIFIC. OHSA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration EPA – Environmental Protection Agency DOT – Department of Transportation TSA – Transportation Security Administration Public Hearings – Meetings that give individuals or businesses an opportunity to express their views on the proposals.

COURTS Trials – a court proceeding. Appeals – to take a case to a higher court for a rehearing. Appellate Courts – a court in which appeals from trial-court decisions are heard. Precedent – court decision on a legal question that guides future cases with similar questions. Treaty – an agreement or contract between countries. Extradition – the process in which one country asks another to surrender a suspected or convicted criminal.