Legislative Branch

1. Congress Every two years all of the members of the House of Representatives and 1/3 of the Senators are elected. This two year period between elections is called a “Congress.”

2. Sessions Two sessions per term/Congress Begin in January Joint Session: House of Representatives and the Senate meet together. Special Session: The President may call a special joint session of Congress even if they have adjourned (ended) for the year.

3. Parties (Democrats and Republicans) The political party that has the most members in each house is known as the majority party. The political party that has fewer members is called the minority party.

Senate and the House of Representatives 4. Bicameral Two Houses Senate and the House of Representatives Two house system allows each house to ‘check’ the actions of the other and helps prevent Congress from passing laws in a hurry.

5. House of Representatives Membership The number of Representatives each state can elect is based on the size of that state’s population. Each state has at least 1 Representative. 435 total Representatives. Every 10 years, after the census is taken, Congress determines how the seats in the House are to be apportioned, or distributed.

6. Requirements to be a Representative Representatives must be: At least 25 years old A U.S. citizen for at least 7 years A legal resident of the state they represent Serve 2 terms Elections are held in November of each even-numbered year.

7. Leader Speaker of the House Elected from the majority party. Presiding officer of the house. No representative may speak until called on, or recognized, by the Speaker. Second in line of Presidential Succession.

8. Special Powers of the House of Representatives Powers that only the House of Representatives has: Begin impeachment proceedings Initiate bills to raise money (appropriation bills) Select president when no candidate receives sufficient electoral votes

9. Senate Membership Each state is represented equally. 2 members per state. 100 senators total. Members are called senators.

10. Requirements to be a Senator Senators must be: At least 30 years old. A U.S. Citizen for at least 9 years. A legal resident of the state they represent. Serve 6 year terms One third (1/3) of the Senate’s membership comes up for election every two years in November.

11. Leaders Vice President According to the Constitution presides over the Senate. Only votes to break a tie. President Pro Tempore Fills in for the Vice President when necessary. Third in line of presidential succession. Customarily the most senior senator in the majority party

12. Special Powers of the Senate Powers that only the Senate has: Hold impeachment trials. Select the vice president when no candidate has sufficient votes. Approve treaties. Approve high officials. (Cabinet Members, Supreme Court Justices, and Ambassadors).