Welcome Home Congress

What is Congress? Congress is the name we give to our U.S. Legislative Branch The powers are located in Article I of the Constitution Congress “makes Laws”, but does many other tasks Our Congress has a BICAMERAL legislature = two house 1. The Senate (Upper House) 2. The House of Representatives (Lower house)

The U.S. Senate The Senate – called the “upper” house 100 members – Equal number for every state = 2 per state Ga = Johnny Isakson & New Freshman Senator, David Perdue Term – one term for a Senator is 6 years, but they are elected in rotating shifts every 2 years… meaning only 1/3 (33) are up for election each time Ex: Isakson was elected in 2012, he did not run this election, he doesn’t have to run again until 2018. Ex: Perdue was just elected in 2014, he does not run again until 2020.

Qualifications for the U.S. Senate Must be at least 30 years old A resident of the state you wish to represent A U.S. Citizen for at least 9 years Each state holds popular elections for Senate…usually both Senate seats for the state are not up for election at the same time. Senate elections are “Statewide” meaning all the voters in the state vote on them.

The U.S. House of Representatives The House of Representatives– called the “lower” house 435 members – Membership numbers for each state is based on the population of the state. Georgia has 14 seats in the House of Reps The higher the state population the more members that state has in the HOR. Term – on term in the HOR is 2 years--- All 435 are up for election at the same time. House members are voted on by DISTRICTS in the state, meaning you only choose someone for your district. Not the entire state

The U.S. House of Representatives Since the membership is based on population how do we determine how many seats each state? The process of dividing 435 seats across 50 states is called “Apportionment” –meaning each state is receiving “ A portion” of the 435 members. To determine population we conduct a Census every 10 years to count population – next will be 2020 If the population changes, then we must “Reapportion” (redistribute) or more commonly called “Reapportionment” the 435 members across each state. Meaning we redistribute numbers if there was a change. The Constitution states that every state must receive at least ONE seat in the HOR.

Qualifications for the House of Representatives At least 25 years old A Resident of the state they wish to represent A U.S. citizen for at least 7 years

Congress Total number of members in Congress? 100 + 435 = 535 Each member in Congress receives one vote in Congress The fewest seats a state would have is 3 (2 for senate and 1 for House) Meets at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Each New session will begin on January 3rd

Perks of being a Congress Member $151K salary Votes on own salary Retirement benefits Free healthcare, gym, phones, computers, limo rides etc.

Powers of the Legislative Branch Found in Article I Section 8 - Expressed Powers --- these are powers directly stated in the Constitution. Expressed means that this powers are established and clear. They are actually written down in the Constitution for us to know. There is NO DOUBT that Congress has these powers. Levy and collect taxes Establish Post Office Raise a military Patents/Copyrights Naturalization

Powers of Congress what does it mean to imply something? To state something is a roundabout way, without being specifically clear. Implied Powers: These are NOT directly stated in the Constitution. Justification for Implied Powers are found in the “Necessary and Proper Clause” – of Article I, Section 8. Power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the Constitution. Sometimes called the “Elastic Clause” because it allows Congress to STRETCH their powers. These powers are not directly expressed for us to see. They are assumed and unclear. Examples include: Creating Homeland Security, healthcare laws, education laws, etc.

Powers Inherent Powers: Powers the gov’t has possessed historically---”Powers the gov’t have simply because they are the gov’t” Few in numbers, but examples include- regulating immigration, deporting aliens, acquire more territory, protect against rebellion.