Thursday, January 10, 2019

Legislative Branch Notes

I. Congress’s two houses A. House of Representatives: the voice of the people (chosen by popular vote) proportional representation, based on population (each state gets at least one) 435 total members, 5 delegates (American Samoa, DC, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands 1 resident commissioner (Puerto Rico) qualifications: 25 years old, a United States citizen for at least seven years and an inhabitant of the state he or she represents.

4. Two-year term a. election always in even year b. begin their term on January 3 of the odd year after the election 5. Party numbers in 2019: 235 Democrats, 199 Republicans, 1 Disputed 6. The Speaker of the House is the leader

elected by the House (majority will always get more votes) 2019-2021 Democrat Nancy Pelosi 7. the majority leader, majority whip, and assistant speaker are also leadership figures in the house 8. the minority party leader and minority whip are also leadership figures in the house 9. Parties also have party leadership within the House

B. Senate: represents the interests of entire states (originally chosen by state legislatures) equal representation (2 from each state) 100 total Senators qualifications: 30 years of age, have been a citizen of the United States for nine years, and, when elected, be a resident of the state from which he or she is chosen.

4. Serve a six-year term, but elected in three classes a. 1/3 in Class I up for election in 2024 b. 1/3 in Class II up for election in 2020 c. 1/3 in Class III up for election in 2022 d. election always in even year e. begin their term on January 3 of the odd year after the election

5. Party numbers in 2019: 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, 2 Independents 6. The Vice President is the president of the Senate, only votes in a tie 7. The president pro tempore presides if v.p. not there (Chuck Grassley) a. president pro tempore is elected by the Senate-often most senior from majority party

II. Express powers-the powers specifically granted in the Constitution Also called “enumerated powers” found in Article I Section 8 (of the Constitution)

C. powers over the economy 1. to levy taxes 2. to borrow money 3 C. powers over the economy 1. to levy taxes 2. to borrow money 3. to regulate commerce 4. to coin money 5. to punish counterfeiting

D. powers over defense 1. to punish piracies 2. to declare war 3 D. powers over defense 1. to punish piracies 2. to declare war 3. to raise and support armed forces 4. to provide a navy 5. to regulate the armed forces 6. to call forth the militia 7. to organize the militia

E. Other powers 1. to naturalize citizens 2. establish post offices 3 E. Other powers 1. to naturalize citizens 2. establish post offices 3. securing patents and copyrights 4. establish courts 5. govern Washington D.C.

F. elastic clause 1. the power to make any laws necessary and proper for Congress to carry out its other powers (a.k.a.-the “necessary and proper” clause)