Unit 4 – Legislative Branch Article I Outline

US Capitol Building

Section 1: Bicameral Legislature Congress of the United States shall consist of Senate and House of Representatives Section 2 – The House of Representatives 1. Term A. 2 years B. elected by the people

House of Representatives 2. Qualifications a. 25 years old b. US Citizen for 7 years c. Resident of the state (district) representing 3. Apportionment A. 435 total members (Texas has 36 members) B. Number is set by Congress (1:650,000 and the number is locked @ 435

Texas Redistrict map 2014

4. Vacancy A. Governor of the state calls a special election to fill a vacancy 5. Officers, Exclusive powers to the House a. The House shall choose their Speaker (currently Paul Ryan (R-WI) b. The House shall have the sole power to Impeach

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) & Minority Floor Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

US House of Representatives Louie Gohmert – District 1

Section 3 – The Senate 1. Term of office and how elected A. 2 per state (total number 100) B. For 6 years C. Chosen by State Legislatures. (Changed by 17th amendment now direct election by the people 2. Continuous Body and Vacancy a. They are divided into 3 classes. So that only 1/3 may be chosen every two years. (Continuous body)

The Senate contd. B. Special Election by the Governor OR C. Governor may appoint successor until election (state law determines which) 3. Qualifications A. 30 years old B. US Citizen for 9 years C. Resident of the state they represent

Senate Presiding Officers A. Vice President serves as the President of the Senate (currently Joe Biden) B. May only vote to break a tie 5. Other officers a. President Pro Tempore serves in the absence of the Vice President (currently Patrick Leahy (D)

Constitutionally mandated officers Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

Texas US Senators Ted Cruz & John Cornyn

Senate Impeachment Proceedings A. The Senate shall have the sole power to try impeachment trials B. no Person shall be convicted without a concurrence of 2/3 members

Section 4 – Provisions common to both House and Senate 1. Elections are held on Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November of Even Years 2. Congress shall assemble once a year. The session begins on January 3rd 2 Sessions = 1 Term (Remember in a Presidential election year, Congress must be in session to verify Electoral ballots, January 6, with Inauguration January 20…..20th Amendment)

Section 5 – Proceedings 1. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum (1/2 + 1) 2. Record a. The Congressional Record is published for every day that either house of Congress is in session

Congressional Record

Section 5 Proceedings (contd) 2. Each House controls its membership by A. Compel Attendance of absent members B. Punish members for disorderly behaviour C. Expel a member with 2/3 vote

Section 6 – Salary A. Senators and Representatives make $174,000 + benefits (health ins & franking privilege) Are eligible for full pension after 25 years of service or age 62. B. 27th amendment states Pay raises do not go into effect until the NEXT Congress. 2. Restrictions on holding offices A. Forbids members of Congress from serving in either the Executive branch or the Judicial Branch

Vice President $233,000 Delegates to the House of Representatives $174,000 Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico President pro tempore of the Senate $193,400 Majority leader and minority leader of the Senate Majority leader and minority leader of the House of Representatives Speaker of the House of Representatives $223,500

Section 7 – Revenue Bills – Appropriations Bills 1. a. ALL bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives

Section 8 Powers & Duties of The Congress (EXPRESSED POWERS) ***Some of the 18 powers/duties of Congress A. Declare war B. Create Post Offices C. Maintain Army and Navy D. Laws of Naturalization E. Coin Money F. Collect Taxes

Clause 18- Elastic Clause A. To pass any law that is necessary and proper for carrying out the foregoing powers B. Implied Powers are derived from this clause

Section 9 – Powers Denied 1. Bills of Attainder 2. Ex Post Facto Laws 3. No preference shall be given to one state over another state 4. No preference shall be given to one port over another port 5. No $$$ shall be spent except by Appropriations Bill 6. No Title of Nobility