Congress Legislative Branch Structure Checks and Balances West Virginia Congressional Members

Bellringer: What is the role of Congress in the system of Checks and Balances? Congress checks the power of the executive and judicial branches: 1. Power of the Purse - approve spending using a bill that sets aside funds for a specific purpose, act called an appropriation) C-Span Videos on 2018 Republican Tax Reform Bill: https://www.c-span.org/classroom/document/?7366 2. Power of Advice and Consent - Senate gives approval of President’s treaties, Presidential appointments 3. Impeachment Power (charge officials with wrongdoing and hold a trial – House draws charges, Senates holds trial) Impeachments: http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Impeachment_Johnson.htm Andrew Johnson: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/president-andrew-johnson-impeached Bill Clinton: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/president-clinton-impeached 4. Oversight (can hold hearings and force witnesses to appear Mylan CEO Faces Tough Questioning in Congressional EpiPen Hearing (3:04) http://www.wsj.com/articles/mylan-ceo-to-shift-blame-on-epipen-pricing-at-house-hearing- 1474466910

CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I, SECTION I All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

What is the PURPOSE OF CONGRESS? Voters elect members of Congress to represent them and to enact laws for them. Constituents are the people represented by Congress .

What is the STRUCTURE OF CONGRESS? Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) 1787 – Framers of the Constitution created Congress Bicameral - 2 houses House of Representatives & Senate

What are the characteristics of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ? Qualifications: 25 years old Citizens for 7 years Resident in state he/she represents Terms: 2 years (unlimited) Elected by popular vote. Members: 435 Leadership – Speaker of the House Apportionment (distribution of seats based on population) Census determines Apportionment  leads to redrawing of district lines in states to accommodate changes in population Salaries: $174,000

What are the characteristics of the SENATE ? Qualifications: 30 years old Citizen for 9 years Resident in state he/she represents Terms: 6 years (unlimited) (Elections are staggered. 1/3 of Senate up for election every 2 years.) Elected by popular vote since the 17th Amendment. Members: 100 Leadership – Vice President, President Pro Tempore

115th Congress Congressional Profile House Membership435 Members Senate Membership100 Senators (Vice President votes in case of a tie) Party Divisions 239 Republicans Party Divisions 46 Democrats 193 Democrats 52 Republicans 0 Independents 2 Independents 3 Vacancies

Demographics of Congress

Who are West Virginia’s Congressional Members? House of Representatives: Senate WV - District 1 District 2 District 3 Congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/members House.gov https://www.house.gov/representatives Senate.gov https://www.senate.gov/senators/index.htm 2018 Midterm Elections Current Members and District Map West Virginia Secretary of State – Voter Info.