Three Reasons for this: Like a room with a partition, Congress is one congress made up of two houses. Three Reasons for this: Historical British Parliament did it (Houses of Commons & Lords) Practical Helped resolve dispute between large & small states Theoretical Checks and balances

3 Types of Powers Expressed Powers Implied Powers Inherent Powers (most Art. 1, Sec 8) Powers that are STATED in the Constitution Implied Powers Those not stated but drawn from expressed powers Regulate Commerce- set minimum wage Inherent Powers Powers that belong to all sovereign nations- control borders

100 members (2 per state) Elected to 6 year terms Qualifications: 30 years old Been a citizen for the last 9 years Live in the state you wish to run in at the time of the race

Tries impeachment cases brought by the House Votes on all bills and legislation sent up from the House More often than not, “amends” such bills before passage, requiring a return to the House, which either votes for the amended bill or continues to revise it

The Vice President is officially “president” of the Senate Largely ceremonial position as this is a non- voting position except In the event of tie (50-50), the VP casts deciding vote Paradoxically, the least and most important position

Majority/Minority Leader The true power in the Senate Elected by Senate members of his/her party The most visible member of the Senate Often meets with, and acts in concert with, the Speaker of the House & President

Majority/Minority “Whips” As the name implies, responsible for party discipline, keeping members “in line” and generally enforcing “proper” party behavior

President Pro Tempore Almost entirely a ceremonial title Usually granted to the senior member of the majority party Presides when the VP is unavailable Otherwise has the same power as any other Senator

435 members (based on each state’s population) Elected to 2 year terms Qualifications: 25 years old been a citizen for the last 7 years Live in the state you wish to run in at the time of the race

Introduce legislation and, if passed, move on to Senate approval Originates revenue raising measures Sole power of impeachment, with trial, if required by Senate Approves by 2/3 vote any Constitutional amendments prior to state ratification A good question to ask is if students think a Representative has to live in the District they represent (they don’t have to but they usually do). Should that be a requirement?

Speaker of the House Elected by majority party Presides over House Principle leader of party 3rd in line of succession Assigns bills to committees Assigns membership within committees I ask students if they know who the current Speaker of the House is and show a picture to hopefully show that they recognize him.

Majority Leader Floor leader of the party that holds the majority of seats in Congress Carries out decisions of their party caucuses Steers floor action to their party’s benefit Chief spokesman for his/her party in the chamber More powerful in the House because he/she has more votes

Minority Leader The floor leader of the party that holds the minority of seats in each house Carries out decisions of their parties’ caucuses Steers floor action to their parties’ benefit Chief spokesman for his/her party in the chamber

Majority/Minority Whip Function pretty much like Senate counterparts

Both Houses have equal amount of money allocated for funding Senators usually have larger staff ¼ back home in district offices to deal with constituents Draft bills, do research, negotiate with interest groups

“It is indispensable that besides the House (which runs on all fours with popular sentiment), we should have a body like the Senate which may refuse to run with it at all when it seems to be wrong.” -Woodrow Wilson I use this quote from WW to ask students to interpret what he means. Why are Senate terms longer? What does he mean by “popular sentiment”?