Unit 2 The “First” Branch: Congress

1. Creation and Function of Congress

Function? Create laws and pass budget Legislate: to pass laws

Bicameral: two chambers HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SENATE

A Bicameral Branch: Why? Historical---we stole the idea from British Parliament (House of Commons, House of Lords) Practical---compromise between big states (Virginia) & small states (NJ) Theoretical---each will check each other’s power

2. The Senate

“The Upper House” 100 Senators, two from each state, serve a 6 year term (no term limits) Only 1/3 of Senate up for re-election every 2 years

Senate cont. Qualifications: 30 years old, citizen for 9 years and live in the state you represent Senate: More publicity than House of Rep., more prestige, more power. Very civil debate, no limits on how long a senator can speakfilibuster….

The Filibuster The Filibuster: Talking until majority of Senate agrees to abandon or modify a bill. OLD STROM: Record filibuster 24 h, 18 min Filibusters have included corn bread recipes, phone book readings, fishing stories, etc Cloture: 60 senator vote to limit debate to 30 hours Strom Thurmond (AKA Phil A. Buster)

Filibuster: Often used by minority party to stall judicial appointments

3. The House of Representatives

The House Currently 435 members, elected every 2 years. Qualifications for House members: 25 years old citizen for 7 years live in the district you represent. Because of large numbers, House must limit debate Youngest Rep: Aaron Schock

53 2 Apportionment Idaho House: 435 seats divided up based on a state’s population Senate: 2 Senators per state 53 Idaho 2

The House of Representatives Distribution of seats determined by census. Trend: Rural and NE losing seats to West and South.

Gerrymandering practice of drawing House district boundaries to benefit a certain party or group-shame, shame, shame! Go to: http://www.redistrictinggame.org/ Then Now

D R R R R R D R R D D D D D D D D R Pack’em and Crack’ em R D R 1 STATE of 3 DISTRICTS 21 VOTERS TOTAL D R R R R R D R R D D D D D D D D R R D R Pack’em and Crack’ em

Redistricting Game

4. Powers of Congress

Powers of Congress (Law making) Expressed- specifically mentioned Constitution Tax and Spend 2.  Borrow 3.  Coin Money 4.  Regulate Commerce 5.  Foreign Relations (approve treaties, declare war, etc.) 6.  Create courts, post offices, copyrights, & patents Manage and rule territories Implied- not specifically mentioned but implied Too many to name---is this right?

Iraq and Afghanistan Wars Recent Expenditures $1 Trillion Total Cost of Iraq and Afghanistan Wars $819 Billion Stimulus Package $3.7 Trillion FY 2012 Budget ($1.1 deficit) $700 Billion Bank Bailout

B-2 Bomber: 1 billion dollars

Newest US Carrier: 6 billion dollars

Powers of Congress (Non law making) 1.  Impeachment 2.  Propose Amendments 3.  Choose a President RARE

Powers of Congress (Non law making) 4.  Give Advise & Consent 5.  Investigate 6. Oversight COMMON

5. Who is in Congress?

DIVERSITY  

DIVERSITY  

Leadership of Congress Split Leadership Senate Democrats 51 Republicans 47 Independents 2 House Republicans 241 Democrats 192

Leadership of Congress Speaker of the House: Presiding officer in the House--- assigns bills to committees, plans schedule, presides over sessions John Boehner R- OH

Leadership of Congress Majority Leaders (House and Senate): Spokesmen for dominant party Senate-Harry Reid (D-NV) Eric Cantor (R-VA)

Leadership of Congress Minority Leaders (House and Senate): Spokesmen for opposition party Senate- Mitch McConnell (R-KY) House- Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)                

Leadership of Congress Whips: vote counters in House, assist M&M leaders Vice President of US: President of Senate: breaks ties President pro tem of Senate: Presiding officer in Senate in VPs absence

6. Making Laws

THE BILL TO LAW PROCESS (Simplified) 1. Bill introduced in H/S 2. Sent to committee 3. Voted on by H/S 4. Follows 1-3 in other chamber or sent to Conference Committee 5. Sent to President 6. Signed or Vetoed (if vetoed, override possible with 2/3s vote) http://www.schooltube.com/video/89a42a6866404f4baab7/Im-Just-a-Bill See page 345