UNIT 2 NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 6: CONGRESS Bicameral: Two houses House of Representatives House of Representatives and Senate House of Representatives Census every 10 years for population count so Congress can adjust the number of representatives given to each state. Constituents are people with in a boundary that are represented. Gerrymander is an oddly shaped district designed to increase the voting strength of a particular group. 2 year terms.

Congressional Leaders The Senate 100 seats, 2 from each state 6 year terms Elections are staggered so that no more than one third of the senators are up for reelection at any one time. Congressional Leaders Majority party- party of which more than half the members belong. Minority party-less than majority Speaker of the House is the most powerful leader within the House of Representatives. President pro tempore for time being-ceremonial more than influential.

Committees: Little Legislatures Types: Standing: on Going. Select Committees: Special job for limited time. Joint Committees: members from both houses Conference Committees: Helps the House and Senate agree on the details of a proposed law.

Chapter 6, Section 2 Legislative Powers Expressed powers-Specific powers spelled out in the Constitution. Implied powers-not stated explicitly. Elastic Clause-allows Congress to stretch powers to meet new needs. Taxing and Spending-power to collect taxes, all bills start in the House of Representatives because they are closer to citizens. Authorization bills-i.e. Space Shuttle program and funding. Appropriations-i.e. provides money for each program or activity, must get approval.

Regulating Commerce-interstate and foreign trade. Air traffic, railroads, radio, tv, stock market. Foreign Relations and Treaties-***ONLY CONGRESS CAN DECLARE WAR*** Has the power to create, maintain and oversee an army and navy. Senate must approve any treaties the president makes with other countries.

Non-legislative Powers Constitutional amendments by a two-thirds vote of both Houses. Counts electoral votes in the presidential elections. Checks the other branches of government. Senate has the power to approve or reject the president’s nominees for various high-ranking officials Supreme Court Justices, federal judges and embasadors. The House has the sole authority to impeach or accuse officials of misconduct in office. The Senate then tries the case and decides whether to convict and remove the person from office.

Limits on Power-some stated in the Bill of Rights i.e. can not pass laws that ban freedom of speech or religion. Writ of habeas corpus-court order that requires police to bring prisoner to court to explain why they are holding a person. Bills of attainder- laws that punish a person without a jury trial. Ex post facto laws-laws that make an act a crime after the act has been committed. Other restrictions come from the checks and balances. Each branch has some control over the other.

Chapter 6, Section 3 Requirements and Benefits of Congress Senator-qualifications Must be at least 30 years old Live in the state you plan to represent Been a U.S. resident for 9 years before being elected Representative-qualifications Must be at least 25 years old Been a citizen for at least 7 years before being elected Usually live in the district they represent (not required)

Congressional Staff Personal staff: gather information on new bills and issues that are to be discussed in Congress. Washington D.C. Home office. Committee Staff: knowledge about taxes, military defense, and health care. Draft bills, gather information, organize hearings, and negotiate with lobbyists. Support Services: CRS-Congressional Research Service General Accounting Office-reviews spending of federal agencies Congressional Budget Office-provides Congress with information such as estimates of costs and effects

Members of Congress at Work Lawmaking Casework Act as trouble shooters for problems Congress gets about 80,000 e-mails each day. Some offices receive 10,000 requests for information or services. Most handled by staff members. Helping the District or State Protect the interests of district or state Local projects- i.e.: post offices, dams, offshore, etc.

Chapter 6, Section 4 How a Bill Becomes a Law Types of Bills Private: concerns people or places, deals with claims against government. Public: entire nation, involves taxation, civil rights, terrorism. Joint resolutions are passed by both houses of Congress, becomes law if signed by the president.

From Bill to Law Starts with idea Committee Action From Congress, people, special interest groups or White House Committee Action Some bills get ignored and some get studied. Ones that need attention get researched and reported on by a subcommittee. Standing committees have ultimate power over bills. Pass bill without changes Mark up a bill with changes and suggest that it be passed Replace the original bill with a new alternative Ignore the bill Kill the bill with vote

Floor Debate The House or Senate can overrule committee. If committee is against a bill, it almost never becomes law Floor Debate The House: controlled by Rules Committee, prioritizes bills, can kill a bill by not letting it get to the floor, sets terms for debate The Senate: takes bills in order, members argue pros and cons, attach riders (unrelated), speak as long as they want, filibuster ( talk it to death), cloture (no one can speak for more than an hour).

Voting on a Bill Presidential Action Voice Standing-those in favor stand and are counted Roll-call vote (Senate), official calls name, they vote Presidential Action Veto-refuse to sign If Vetoed Congress can override with 2/3 vote. Pocket Veto-do nothing for 10 days, if Congress is in session the bill becomes law without president’s signature, if not it dies. Sign the bill