Structure of Legislative Branch Congress Bicameral- Has ____ legislative houses House of _____________- Each state has number of reps based on population (435) Senate- Each state has ______ senators(100) two Representatives two

Legislative Branch Powers Approve the _______ Declare ______ Make _______ Approve presidential ____________ Coin ________ Control _________ _______ armed forces Levying _________ budget war laws appointments money commerce Maintain taxes

House and Senate Comparison Number of Members Term Term Limits Qualifications *At least 25 years of age *U.S. citizen for at least 7 years *Live in the state they represent 435 2 years None *At least 30 years of age *U.S. citizen for at least 9 years *Resident of the state they represent 100 6 years House Senate

Leaders of Congress House of Representatives ________ of the House Selected from the Political Party that has the majority of members In charge of almost all the activities of the House Speaker

Leaders of Congress Senate Vice President President Pro ________ Official ____________ of the Senate President Pro ________ Handles the day to day leadership tasks Usually the senior member of the majority party President Tempore

U.S. Census Every _____ years the __________ of the U.S. is determined by census Allowed by the U.S. Constitution, Art. 1, Sec. 2 The population numbers are used to determine the number of ______________ each state receives ten population representatives

People should be counted where they live and sleep most of the year. About 2010 Census What Count The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. Who Everyone All residents of the United States must be counted. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens. When Every 10 years Every 10 years, and the next census occurs in 2010. Census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to every household in the United States in March 2010. The questions ask you to provide information that is accurate for your household as of April 1, 2010. The Census Bureau must count everyone and submit state population totals to the U.S. President by December 31, 2010. The first Census was conducted in 1790 and has been carried out every 10 years since then. Where Everywhere in the U.S. The census counts everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. People should be counted where they live and sleep most of the year. Why The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 2) mandates a headcount of everyone residing in the United States. The population totals determine each state’s Congressional representation. The numbers also affect funding in your community and help inform decision makers about how your community is changing. More info… How The Census Bureau will mail or deliver questionnaires to your house in March 2010. We will mail a second form to households that do not respond to the initial questionnaire. Households that still do not respond will be called or visited by a Census worker. (Census workers can be identified by a census badge and bag.)

Reapportionment recalculated change number population After each census the distribution of representatives is ______________ based on the __________ in population in each state The total __________ of representatives remains the same (435) The number of representatives a state has is dependent on how its _________________ compares to the other states recalculated change number population

The Legislative Process (How Bill becomes a law) House of Representatives Senate Bill is written Bill is written

Legislative Powers __________Powers Powers expressly __________ in Art. I (collect taxes, maintain army, make money) ___________ Powers (Elastic Clause) Powers _________ to carry out expressed powers (i.e. Military Academies, Mints) Powers needed for the general __________ of the country (Environmental Laws) Expressed listed Implied necessary welfare

Role of Interest Groups in the legislative process Representing __________ viewpoints Make political ________________ Identify and publicize ____________ ___________ government officials ___________ legislation Laws to serve their interest different contributions issues Lobbying Propose

Legislative Checks over other branches Ratify _________ Done by the Senate Approve __________ Appropriate (pay) _____________ Must be introduced by House ___________ a veto _________ a President and federal judges treaties appointments money Override Impeach

Limiting the power of the Legislative Branch (Checks and Balances) Judicial (Supreme Court) May declare laws unconstitutional Executive (President) Vetoes acts of Congress Calls Congress into special sessions