Article I The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch JOB: to make the nation’s laws. Works in the nation’s capitol building.

The Legislative Branch Called the “Congress.” It is made up of two houses: The Senate (or Upper House) and the House of Representatives (or Lower House). TERMS OF OFFICE Senate = 6-years Representatives = 2-years

The Legislative Branch SENATORS AGE: 30 CITIZENSHIP: must be a U.S. citizen for at least 9-years. RESIDENCY: must live in the state where elected. REPRESENTATIVES AGE: 25 CITIZENSHIP: must be a U.S. citizen for at least 7-years. RESIDENCY: must live in the district where elected.

The Legislative Branch Membership in the House of Representatives is based on the population of the individual states. Currently, there is a membership of 435 in the House of Representatives. Membership in the Senate is based on equality among the states (2 for each state). Since there are 50 states, the membership is 100.

The Legislative Branch

Senate Leader = Vice-president of the U.S.A. The second in charge is called the PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE President Pro Tempore Patrick Leahy Joe Biden

Representative Leader = Speaker of the House John Boehner

The Legislative Branch Most legislators (Congressmen) belong to one of the two major political parties in the USA… Democrats, or Republicans In the House of Representatives the party with the most members chooses a leader called the Speaker of the House.

The Legislative Branch Every state has two senators. The membership of the Senate is based on EQUALITY among the states. Senators serve for six years. DICK DURBIN Is the Senior Senator from Illinois. Mark Kirk is the junior Senator from Illinois.

The Legislative Branch Membership in the House of Representatives is based on the population of each state. Representatives serve for 2 years. States are given one representative for every 700,000 people. Illinois has 18 U.S. Representatives. There are 435 Representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives. Representative Bill Foster - District 11 Representative Dan Lipinski – District 3

Congressional Districts of Illinois Chicago Area

The Legislative Branch An IMPEACHMENT is a formal accusation of criminal activity against an elected official. Only the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES may begin an impeachment by accusing the official. The SENATE serves as the jury during the trial. The CHIEF JUSTICE of the U.S. Supreme Court serves as the Judge.

The Legislative Branch BOTH HOUSES of CONGRESS MUST… …meet in the same city; …meet at the same time. Neither house can stop meeting without the consent of the other House.

The Legislative Branch An IDEA for a law is called a BILL. Bills may begin in either House, but must be approved by BOTH Houses in order to become a Law.

The Legislative Branch Bills – Anyone can propose an idea for a bill, but only a member of Congress can actually present it to be voted on.

The Legislative Branch Bills that involve money MUST begin in the House of Representatives. This is the only type of bill with a requirement.

The Legislative Branch Members of Congress cannot be arrested … …during meetings of Congress; or …while going to or from meetings of Congress. Members of Congress cannot be punished for anything said during one of their meetings.

The Legislative Branch KINDS OF POWERS given by the U.S. Constitution: ENUMERATED POWERS – listed in the Constitution as belonging to the Federal government. RESERVED POWERS – those belonging to the states. CONCURRENT POWERS – powers shared by the Federal and state governments.

The Legislative Branch Impeachments: Trials to determine if people like the President or Supreme Court Justices are guilty and should be removed are impeachment trials. The House votes on if there should be a trial. The Senate hears evidence and decides guilt, acting as the Jury.

The Legislative Branch ENUMERATED POWERS: belonging only to the Federal government. Make money Declare war Provide a military Establish a post office ELASTIC CLAUSE: to make all laws necessary & proper to carry out its responsibilities.

The Legislative Branch RESERVED POWERS: belonging to the states. Power to create a school system. To create a militia.

The Legislative Branch CONCURRENT POWERS: shared by the Federal and state governments. To tax. To build roads.

The Legislative Branch