The Legislative Branch Chapter 8: The Legislative Branch Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Chapter Links Section 1 “The Members of Congress” Section 2 “The Powers of Congress” Section 3 “How Congress is Organized” Section 4 “Following a Bill in Congress Civics: Government and Economics in Action

“The Members of Congress” Section 1 “The Members of Congress” Section Outline: The Responsibilities of Lawmaking Members of Congress at Work III. Representatives and Senators IV. Requirements, Salary, and Benefits Main Idea: The legislative branch of the United States government is called the Congress. Laws are made by 100 Senators and 435 representatives. Key Terms: Constituents Bill Interest Group Lobbyists Congressional District Civics: Government and Economics in Action

The Responsibilities of Lawmaking Local vs. National Needs Members of congress are responsible to The nation Their constituents or the people a member of congress represents. Their political party Political Parties Groups that work to get their members elected to office. Civics: Government and Economics in Action

The Responsibilities of Lawmaking (cont.) Interest Groups Groups of people who work together to reach a common political goal. Interest groups provide money and votes. Lobbyists People represent interest groups Lobbyists try to influence way members of congress vote. Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Members of Congress at Work What Do Members of Congress Do? Learn about issues which they must vote on. Be present on the floor of the House or Senate chamber as much as possible. Listen to or give speeches Prepare bills and vote on bills Go to many meetings Study reports and read letters from constituents. * icivics video Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Civics: Government and Economics in Action Representatives Representatives The area that a member of the House represents is called a congressional district. The state’s population determines the number of congressional districts and subsequent representatives. There are 435 representatives; each serves a two-year term. Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Senators There are 100 senators (two for each state); each serves a six-year term. The Seventeenth Amendment, 1913 States directly elect members of Senate

Requirements, Salary, and Benefits Must live in the states in which they are elected. Representatives must be 25 years old and have a minimum of seven years citizenship. Senators must be 30 years old and have a minimum of nine years citizenship. Salary (2003 figures) Members of congress make somewhere between $154,700-$198,600 per year Members of congress get allowances and other perks Civics: Government and Economics in Action

“The Powers of Congress” Section 2 “The Powers of Congress” Section Outline: Powers Given to Congress Limits on the Powers of Congress Main Idea: The Constitution grants Congress the specific and general powers to make laws. The Constitution also specifies limits to those powers. Key Terms: Budget Bill of Attainder Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Powers Given to Congress Promoting General Welfare Regulation of trade and business Example: Minimum Wage Approval of government’s budget or plan to raise and spend money. Providing for Defense Establish and maintain an army and navy To declare war War Powers Act, 1973 - The resolution was adopted in the form of a United States Congress joint resolution; this provides that the President can send U.S. armed forces into action abroad only by authorization of Congress or in case of "a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces." Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Powers Given to Congress (cont.) Establishing Justice Power to create federal courts below the Supreme Court The Power to impeach government officials Unlisted Powers Congress may make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out listed power. Example: coining money Non-legislative Powers Power to conduct investigations Example: Watergate (1972-1974) *** Video clip**** Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Limits on the Powers of Congress Executive and Judicial “Checks and Balance” The Presidents may veto any law passed “The Supreme Court may declare a law unconstitutional Congress may not pass: Bill of Attainder - Citizens may not be convicted without a trial Writ of Habeus Corpus - Citizens may not be held in jail unless there is some reasonable evidence against them. Civics: Government and Economics in Action

“How Congress is Organized” Section 3 “How Congress is Organized” Section Outline: Leadership in Congress Working in a Committee The President’s Role Main Idea: Both houses of Congress choose leaders and assign members to committees. The committees work on bills before they are voted on. The President can sign or veto a bill. Key Terms: Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore Floor Leaders Pocket Veto Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Leadership in Congress House: Speaker of the House Presiding officer in the House of representatives Senate: President Pro Tempore The Vice President is president of the Senate Presiding officer of the Senate, when the Vice President is absent. Floor Leaders The Chief officers of the majority and minority parties in each house Assistants leaders are called whips. Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Civics: Government and Economics in Action Working in a Committee Only Congress can introduce bills - ** not the president Standing Committees There are 36 total committees dedicated to certain needs, such as education or banking. Committees and Bills When introduced, bills go to a committee for analysis. The committee decides whether or not the bill is to be voted on in House or Senate. Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Civics: Government and Economics in Action The President’s Role “Every bill which shall have passed the House Representatives and the Senate…[and] Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives, may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment) shall be presented to the President…” –Article I, Section 7, Clause 2 and 3. Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Civics: Government and Economics in Action The President’s Role If the President signs a bill, it becomes law The President may veto or reject a bill by not-signing it and sending it back to Congress Congress can override the President’s veto with 2/3 majority votes in both houses The President may use a “pocket veto” by holding a bill while Congress ends its session. Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Civics: Government and Economics in Action

“Following a Bill Through Congress” Section 4 “Following a Bill Through Congress” Section Outline: Stopping a Bill Compromise Bills A Bill Dies in Committee Main Idea: Either party can use rules of order and procedure on the House or Senate floor to prevent a bill from being passed. Members of Congress try to compromise on controversial legislation so that they can agree to pass bills. Some bills don’t survive committee study. Key Terms: Filibuster Cloture Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Civics: Government and Economics in Action Stopping a Bill Filibuster Use of long speeches to prevent a vote on a bill in Senate. Opponents to a bill may use this method to stop a bill from being passed, even if they are in the minority. Cloture Agreement to end the debate on a bill. Requires a three-fifths vote Civics: Government and Economics in Action

Civics: Government and Economics in Action Compromise Bills Sometimes legislature shave to make concessions in order to get a bill passed Especially when a similar bill has previously been vetoed or blocked by filibuster. The ability of different political parties and special interest groups to compromise is essential in American government. Civics: Government and Economics in Action

A Bill Dies in Committee If a bill does not receive a majority of support Committee, it “dies;” meaning that House and Senate never vote on it. Civics: Government and Economics in Action