The United States Congress Musical Theme from “The Little Rascals” TV Show 1930

The 112 th Congress: January 2011 to January 2013 A “Term” of Congress lasts 2 years beginning in January of every odd- numbered year A “Session” of Congress is the time during which the Congress is assembled and conducts business.

The House of Representatives Formal Qualifications of House Members At least 25 years old Must have been a U.S. citizen for at least 7 yrs Must be inhabitant of the State he/she represents (Informal qualification: should live in the district he/she represents

435 members—not fixed by Constitution; rather it is set by Congress—apportioned (distributed) among the States by population Each state guaranteed one Rep. Two-year terms—the next election is always around the corner—forces the rep. to keep close ties with constituents (the people he/she represents No limit to number of terms

The Senate members, 2 from each state 2. 6 year terms; regular November elections, no term limits (only 1/3 elected every 2 years) 3. The Senate is "continuous” - all of its seats are never up for election at the same time. 4. Longer term provides some "insulation" from day to day politics. Less subject to public opinion & interest groups. 1. Represent a more diverse population than the House

30 years oldMust be a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years Must be an inhabitant of the State from which he/she is elected

The U.S. Constitution: Article 1—Section 8

 The Federal Government will take in over 2 TRILLION dollars this year.

 National Debt now over $15 TRILLION National Debt  Deficit—the amount of debt in one year (the amount by which spending exceeds tax revenue in any given year  WHY?  War on terror  Tax cuts  Social Security, Medicare  Downturn in economy  Etc.

 The power to regulate interstate and foreign trade  A sweeping extension of federal authority  Affects all aspects of life (ex. Civil rights)

 The power to print and coin money

A. To regulate immigration and naturalization B. To declare war and raise an army C. To combat terrorism D. Senate must approve treaties with foreign nations

 Congress can make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its duties as set forth in the U.S. Constitution (Elastic Clause).

EXPRESS POWERS  To tax  To borrow  To raise an army  To regulate commerce IMPLIED POWERS  To punish tax evaders  To establish up banks and the Federal reserve  To punish draft evaders  To prohibit discrimination  To establish a minimum wage  To pass laws protecting the disabled

 Penalty is removal from office  To date: 17 impeachments and 7 convictions (all federal judges)  House acts as prosecutor – brings charges  Senate acts as judge/jury in impeachments (they determine guilt or innocence--2/3 majority required for conviction)

 All major appointments made by the President must be confirmed by a majority in the Senate  Ex. Supreme Court Justices, Federal Reserve Board, Cabinet members, etc.

 Congress has the power to conduct investigations into matters that fall within its powers

Speaker of the House Elected as Speaker—leader of majority party Most powerful position in Congress Duties: 1.Presides over and keeps order 2.Interprets and applies rules 3.Refers bills to committee 4.Puts motion to vote 5.Names members of select and conference committees 6.Follows the VP in presidential succession

The Vice President is president of the Senate Vice Pres Cant debate; can only vote to break tie Leader of the Senate is the President Pro Tempore - Presides, recognizes speakers, puts issues to vote, etc. Filibuster – Senate ONLY – Talk a bill to death

In both House and Senate Very important officers in Congress Legislative strategists—carry out the decisions of their party and try to steer action for party’s benefit Majority leader controls the order of business on the floor “Whips” are assistant leaders

Bulk of the work in Congress is done by committees, although there is no mention of them in Constitution

 Those members who lead standing (permanent) committees in each chamber— they hold strategic positions  The chairman of each permanent committee is chosen by the majority party  Chairs decide which bills will be considered, whether or not hearings will be public, what witnesses will speak

 Bills receive the most thorough consideration here. Fate of most bills decided in committee  Majority party holds a majority of the seats on all committees.  Most divided into subcommittees (150 total subs)

 Traffic Cop of the House - Bills that are passed through committees must also clear the Rules Committee to be voted on. Must be granted a "rule" (schedule for consideration)

 Select Committees—special committees called for some specific purpose for a limited time. Often investigative.  Joint Committees—composed of members of both the House and the Senate  Conference Committee--used when the house and the Senate pass differing versions of the same bill. Used to iron out the differences and produce a compromise bill

Bill - proposed law presented to the House or Senate for Consideration Joint Resolutions - similar to bills, unusual or temporary matters, have force of law when passed Rider - tacked onto another bill, often unrelated, gets passed "rides" through with the other measure.

 1. Sign into Law  2. Veto – reject (Congress can override with 2/3 majority in both houses)  3. Allow bill to become law without signing by not acting on it within 10 days – becomes a law  4. Pocket Veto – Congress goes out of session within 10 days and the president still has not signed – bill is killed

First Reading Clerk of the House numbers each bill ex: H.R or S Distributed to the members; sent to committee. Committees Hold hearings, often public, hear from witnesses, investigate, then take action: The Report The Committee’s evaluation of the bill Report favorable "do pass" – goes to debate on the floor Refuse to report the bill - kill it in committee Report the bill with changes – goes to floor for debate

The Rules Committee decides when a bill is taken "off" the calendar and put "on" the floor for debate Voting A quorum, majority of the full membership (218) must be present amendments may be added and voted upon during debate. (Voting electronically recorded) If the Bill Passes it is sent to the other chamber for consideration (House or Senate)

Conference Committees works out a compromise version of a bill that both the House and Senate can agree on Compromise bill returned to both houses to vote on – rarely rejected The President (his options) Sign into law b. Veto - reject (Congress can override with 2/3 majority in both houses Allow bill to become law without signing by not acting on it within 10 days - passes into law Pocket Veto - Congress goes out of session within 10 days and Pres still has not signed - kills the bill

 Declared Unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1998