Respond to the following quote: “Though the President is Commander in Chief, Congress is his commander… this is not a Government of kings…,but a Government of the People, and … Congress is the people”
The Legislative Branch Article I
3 branches of Government
Legislative Branch Congress is Bicameral Two Separate Houses Senate and House of Representatives Law-making branch of government Created by Article I of the Constitution
House of Representatives Article I Section 2 Qualifications- written in constitution 25 Years of Age Must live in State 7 Year US Citizen
House of Representatives Size Current size of House of Representatives is 435 members Each state is guaranteed at least 1 Representative Representatives are based on population More population= more representation Only 1 Representative Alaska, Delaware, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming Washington D.C., Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico
House of Representatives Terms Representatives are elected every 2 years No constitutional limit on the number of terms
House of Representatives Elections Every 2 years Head of House of Reps. Speaker of the House
Responsibilities All money (appropriations) bills start here Power of the Purse Write the article of impeachment against high ranking officials
The Senate
Senate Article I Section 3 Size Constitution Sets number at 2 per state (100 Senators)
Senate Head of Senate U.S. Vice President (but he is very busy) Day to day head of Senate: President Pro Tempore Term: 6 year term No term limit Terms are staggered Continuous Body All seats are never given up for election at the same time Only 1/3 expire (33 or 34)
Senate Qualifications: Higher requirements then House At least 30 years of age Must have been citizen of US for 9 years Must be inhabitant of the State from which they are elected
Responsibilties Approves all treaties Approves all appointments Chooses the Vice President in an Electoral College tie Acts as the jury in all trials of impeachment
Enumerated Powers All powers of congress listed in Article I Section 8 of the Constitution There are 18 clauses Prologue page 46