The National Legislature Congress The National Legislature

Representative Democracy Congress creates public policy, or laws. Article 1, Section 1: All legislative Powers shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Why a Bicameral Congress? Framers were familiar with British Parliament, which had two houses (House of Lords, House of Commons) Most of the colonial assemblies were bicameral Framers had to settle the differences between the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan Checks and Balances The Federalist No. 51: “In a republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates. The remedy for this inconveniency is to divide the legislature into different branches.”

Senate States are co-equal Wyoming population: 583,000 2 Senators California population: 38.8 million Discussion: Does it matter that citizens are not equally represented in the Senate?

House of Representatives Wyoming, Delaware, Vermont, North Dakota, South Dakota, Alaska, Montana: 1 representative each California – 53 representatives 435 representatives total (fixed number)

Terms of Congress Terms are 2 years and are numbered consecutively First term started March 4, 1789 Current term began January 3, 2015 – 114th Congress (though didn’t meet until January 6th) Term ends at noon of January 3rd of every odd-numbered year So the 115th Congress will begin January 3, 2017, at noon

Sessions Session is when Congress meets and conducts business 20th Amendment, Section 2: “The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3rd day of January unless they shall by law appoint a different day.” Each Congress has two sessions – one session each year Congress will take several recesses throughout the year Neither house may adjourn, or suspend until the next session, without the consent of the other house If houses cannot agree on a date to adjourn, the President may prorogue – discontinue – a session, though that power has never been used

Special session A meeting to deal with an emergency situation Only the President has the power to call a special session President has the power to call only one house into special session Ex. Senate called to consider treaties or appointments Special sessions unlikely now that Congress meets nearly year-round, but President often threatens it if Congress doesn’t take action

Meet your senators Barbara Boxer Democrat 75 years old, serving as U.S. Senator since 1993 Not seeking re-election in 2016

Meet Your Senators Diane Feinstein Democrat 82 years old (currently the oldest serving Senator), serving in the U.S. Senate since 1993 Previously served as Mayor of San Francisco

Meet your representative Doris Matsui Democrat representing parts of Sacramento and Yolo Counties Replaced her husband as Sacramento-area representative after his death in 2005

Meet your representative Ami Bera Democrat represents parts of Elk Grove, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova Has served in the House of Representatives since 2013

Meet your representative John Garamendi Democrat representing counties Sacramento, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Glenn, Lake, Solano, and Yolo Serving since 2009 Previously served at California Lt. Governor