Congress Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.

The Representatives and Senators The Job Salary of $174,000 with retirement benefits Office space in D.C. and at home with staff Travel allowances and franking privileges What in the _____ is “franking”? Free use of mail to correspond with constituents

The House of Representatives Some Details Total = 435 Apportioned by population Serve for 2 year terms Must be: At least 25 years old Citizen for at least 7 years Resident of state s/he represents

The Senate Some Details Total = 100 2 from each state Serve for 6 year terms 1/3 are up for election every 2 years Must be: At least 30 years old Citizen for at least 9 years Resident of state s/he represents

Congress Who are these people? Predominately: Well-educated With prior experience in: Law Business Education

Congress Who are these people? Disproportionately: White Upper-middle class Middle-aged Protestant Males

Congress So do they represent “the people”? Descriptive representation Do they mirror personal characteristics of “the people”? Probably NO

Congress So do they represent “the people”? Substantive representation Do they represent the interests of “the people”? and share the beliefs of a majority of their constituents? Probably YES

Powers The Constitution Includes specific Powers given to Congress by the Framers These are known as “expressed powers” Most are found in Article I, Section 8

Powers Constitution: Article I, Section 8 The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect taxes pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States borrow Money coin Money

Powers Constitution: Article I, Section 8 The Congress shall have Power To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive right to their respective Writings and Discoveries

Powers Constitution: Article I, Section 8 The Congress shall have Power To declare War raise and support Armies provide and maintain a Navy make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces

Powers Constitution: Article I, Section 8 The Congress shall have Power To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers This is know as the “Elastic Clause”

Powers McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Supreme Court case that ruled Congress has “implied powers” in implementing its expressed powers (in this case, chartering a national bank) From the Necessary & Proper Clause emanates “that vast mass of incidental powers which must be involved in the constitution, if that instrument be not a splendid bauble.”

Powers McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Also ruled that the “Supremacy Clause” in Article VI means federal laws “trump” conflicting state laws in areas in which the Constitution gives Congress power to act

Powers Non-Legislative Powers Oversight Congress has power to review policies and actions of the Executive branch May hold investigations Remember . . . Checks and Balances

Powers Non-Legislative Powers Amendment of the Constitution Congress may propose amendments to the Constitution by a 2/3rds vote of both House & Senate

Powers Non-Legislative Powers Electoral The House has the power to select the President if the electoral college cannot decide The Senate has the power to select the Vice-President if the electoral college cannot decide

Powers Non-Legislative Powers Impeachment of the President / Vice-Pres. House brings charges (impeach) Senate tries the case & acts as jury

Impeached Prez

Impeached Prez Why was Clinton impeached?

Impeached Prez Why was Clinton impeached? Perjury Obstruction of Justice Abuse of Power All related to Monica Lewinsky

Impeached Prez In June, 2008, a Congressman introduced a resolution to impeach President Bush . . . contending that the president manufactured a false case for the Iraq war violated U.S. and international law to invade Iraq failed to provide troops with proper equipment and falsified casualty reports for political purposes Congress did not pursue the matter