Unit 5 Day 24: Congressed Condensed Part 2

List the Amendments

Questions of the Day 1.Describe the powers that are specific to the House of Representatives. Describe the powers that are specific to the Senate. 2.Should members of Congress who have served the longest be automatically granted the chair position on a committee? 3.Describe the different committees in Congress. How do committees help Congress achieve its legislative goals?

Complete this chart in your notebook: House of Reps BothSenate 435 members Term is 2 years Representation based on populations in states Must be 25 yrs old power of purse Speaker of the House Power to impeach Pick president if electoral college ties Us citizen for 7 years Representation based census Must live in state where elected Unlimited terms Franking privileges 174k+ DOLLARS LAW MAKING Incumbents usually win Limited immunity Offices in DC US citizen Term jan- nov Must be 30 Live in us for 9 years 100 member 6 year terms Approves all treaties Acts as jury in impeachment trial VP is leader President pro-tempore Equal representation from states Staggered election Approve appointments

Committee Government Developed committees to divide the work load of Congress I.Standing Committees – permanent committees with in Congress II.Select Committees – Called if there is no standing committee to investigate a certain bill or problems (House Select Committee on Assassinations – 1976) III.Joint Committees – Made up of members of both Houses of Congress IV.Conference Committees – made up of members of both Houses of Congress to make sure that only one version of a bill is passed.

Warren Commission Investigates the death of JFK a.House Select Committee b.In 1976, the House formed a Special Committee to investigate the deaths of JFK, Robert Kennedy, and MLK, Jr. c.They looked at the findings of the Warren Commission and tried to see if there was outside agents involved in a cover- up. d.Lee Harvey Oswald, James Earl Ray, Sirhan Sirhan were tagged as lone gun man.

Committee Membership a.Seniority – based on seniority (years of service) b.Party leaders make committee assignments c.Majority party of each house appoints Chairperson of each committee

Who Represents YOU? Look up your address and find your congressional district. Choose either your congressional representative OR your senator Write a letter or to him/her about a key issue or concern going on in your district/this state (Senators represent whole state, Reps represent districts)