Congress: The Legislative Branch Chapter 5 Congress: The Legislative Branch Congress, consisting of the House of Representatives & the Senate, exercises its powers by passing legislation, representing the people, & checking the power of the other branches of gov’t.

I.Congress & The People Representing the people Members of Congress Constituents: People who live within a specific geographic area Members of Congress Mid-50s, Wealthy, white, male The House of Representatives Apportionment: Distribution of House seats among states based on population. The Senate Originally elected by state legislatures, now by the state’s people.

II. Congress & Checks & Balances Power of the Purse Power to approve all spending by fed. gov’t. Appropriation: Bill that sets aside funds for a specific purpose. Power of Advice & Consent Senate must agree to treaties and appointments of ambassadors, federal judges, and Supreme Court justices. Impeachment Power Impeachment: Charge officials in the executive or judicial branches with wrongdoing & bring them to trial

I. Membership in the House Formal Qualification At least 25 yrs. Old U.S. citizen for at least 7 years Resident of state representing. Informal Qualifications Voter Appeal Raise money Military/Celebrity background

II. Reapportionment & Redistricting Seats are redistributed among the states based on the census. Gerrymandering Drawing district boundaries for political advantage.

III. Leadership in the House Speaker of the House Most powerful member of the House & member of majority party. Floor Leader Manages the actions & strategy of the party, assistant to Speaker. Whips Encourage fellow party members to vote as the party leaders want. Party Caucus Meeting of all the House members from a particular political party. House Rules Create any rules to carry out business.

IV. The Role of Committees Standing Committees Select Committees Joint Committees

I. The Senate & its Membership Formal Qualifications At least 30 yrs. Old U.S. citizen at least 9 years Resident of the state representing Election of Senators State legislatures 1913: 17th Amendment Direct popular election Informal Qualifications Older, wealthier, “millionaires’ club” 16 women, 1 A.A., 2 Asians, 2 Hispanics

III. Senate Committees & Tradition Senate committees: Similar to the House Filibuster Opponents of a measure refuse to stop talking in order to prevent a vote. Cloture 2/3 vote could end a filibuster.

Presidential Action on a Bill Sign a bill into a law Not sign for 10 days & becomes law. Pocket Veto: President doesn’t sign a bill & session of Congress ends killing bill. Veto a bill.

Chapter 8: The Federal Courts & the Judicial Branch The United States has a three-tiered national court system, with the Supreme Court at the top, which operates alongside the court systems of the states.

I. Jurisdiction Jurisdiction Exclusive Jurisdiction Authority to hear & decide a case. Exclusive Jurisdiction Sole right to hear a case. Concurrent Jurisdiction Fall under both state & federal jurisdiction. Plaintiff: Making legal complaint Defendant: Complaint filed against. Original Jurisdiction Court that hears case first. Appellate Jurisdiction Case heard on appeal.

I. Supreme Court Procedures Term Begins: October till June or July. Selecting Cases Writ of Certiorari: Order seeking review of the lower court case. Docket: List of cases to be heard (Usually 100 per term) Briefs & Oral Arguments: Written positon by both sides & 30 minutes of oral presentation with questions from the justices. Opinions Majority Opinion: Signed by at least 5 of the 9 judges. Concurring Opinions: Agree with majority but have other points to make. Dissenting Opinions: Minority of judges who didn’t agree with the ruling.

II. Highlights of Supreme Court The Marshall Court Expansive view of court power, Marbury v. Madison, McCulloch v. Maryland, Gibbons v. Ogden Dred Scott Scott sued for freedom after living in IL. Court said he was still a slave. Reconstruction to Plessy Civil war amendments strictly interpreted, Plessy v. Ferguson was “separate but equal” Court & The New Deal Struck down many of Roosevelt’s plans & FDR tried “court packing” 1950s to present Brown v. Board ended segregation, Miranda v. Arizona