The Legislative Branch Chapters 10, 11, and 12

Chapter 10 Congress

The National Legislature Section 1 The National Legislature

Article 1, Section 1 “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.” – US Constitution

A Bicameral congress Bicameral legislature  A legislature made up of two houses. 3 Reasons for Bicameral Leg Historical Reason British Parliaments was bicameral so framers knew it well; 11 of 13 colonies had bicameral leg Practical Reason Framers had to settle disagreement btwn VA and NJ Plans; Bicameralism is a reflection of Federalism Theoretical Reason One house checks the other; Spreads out the power of Congress

Why is the House Chamber so much larger than the Senate Chamber?

California and Wyoming each elect two senators, despite a huge difference in their populations. How does the distribution of Senate seats among the States illustrate the principle of Federalism? California has a much large population than Wyoming, yet both States have two memebers in the Senate. This system prevents large States like California from dominating the small states in the Senate’s decision making.

Terms of Congress Each term of Congress lasts two years. Each of the two-year terms is numbered consecutively. We are currently in the 113th Congress; It runs from January 3, 2013 until January 3, 2015.

President Obama speaking to a Joint Session of Congress  Sessions of Congress President Obama speaking to a Joint Session of Congress  A session of Congress is the period of time that Congress assembles and conducts business. There are two sessions to each term of Congress – one session each year; Sessions usually last most of the year Convenes = begins Adjourns = Suspends Recess = temporarily suspend business President has the power to prorogue (end, discontinue) a session; This has never happened

Special Session of Congress called by Roosevelt in 1933  Special sessions Only the President can call Congress into a special session. A meeting to deal with some emergency situation. Only 27 JOINT sessions have ever been called; Last one was 1948 by Truman The President can call Congress or either house into a special session. Senate has been called 46 times; last in 1933 House has never been called alone;  Special Session of Congress called by Roosevelt in 1933 