The Legislative Branch

Three Constitutional Principles Separation of Powers –Congress has powers given to it by the Constitution that are separate from the other branches of government Checks and Balances –Congress also has the power to check the actions of the other two branches of govern. Limited Government –Congress can exercise only those powers given to it by the Constitution

Bicameral Legislature Two houses Senate House of Representatives

National Legislature Function is to make laws Congress in the Constitution: Article I, Section I Function is to make laws Congress in the Constitution: Article I, Section I Representative government : System of government in which a small group of persons are chosen by the people to act as their representatives Expresses public will

Public Will Public support for policy action or change by the government “Public sentiment [will] is everything. With public sentiment nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed.” Abraham Lincoln 1858 Public Will Public support for policy action or change by the government “Public sentiment [will] is everything. With public sentiment nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed.” Abraham Lincoln 1858 Public Policy All of the goals a government sets and the various courses of action it pursues as it attempts to realize these goals

Why does Congress have two Houses? In order to give fair representation to both large and small states Connecticut Compromise Virginia Plan: pro large states NJ Plan: pro small states In order to give fair representation to both large and small states Connecticut Compromise Virginia Plan: pro large states NJ Plan: pro small states

Reasons for Bicameralism Historical Reasons British Parliament had 2 houses Most of the 13 colonies had two houses PA and GA had unicameral Practical Reasons Settle the conflict between small and large states at the Philadelphia Convention Each state is equally represented: Senate Larger states get larger representation: House of Representatives Historical Reasons British Parliament had 2 houses Most of the 13 colonies had two houses PA and GA had unicameral Practical Reasons Settle the conflict between small and large states at the Philadelphia Convention Each state is equally represented: Senate Larger states get larger representation: House of Representatives

Theoretical Reasons Two houses so one might act as a check on the other Theoretical Reasons Two houses so one might act as a check on the other

Definitions Term length of time served after election –How long does it last? Two years, starts Jan 3rd of every odd numbered year –How many sessions in a term? Two, one per year Session meeting –Who adjourns each session? Congress - both houses Adjourn end a session with consent of both houses Special session meeting called by the President –Why would a President call Congress into a special session? Deal with a pressing issue –Why has the President’s power to call a special session lost much of its importance? Congress meets year round

Definitions Term How long does it last? How many sessions in a term? Session Who adjourns each session? Adjourn Special session Why would a President call Congress into a special session? Why has the President’s power to call a special session lost much of its importance? Term How long does it last? How many sessions in a term? Session Who adjourns each session? Adjourn Special session Why would a President call Congress into a special session? Why has the President’s power to call a special session lost much of its importance?

Review 1.Why is Congress the most basic governmental function of our democratic system? a.Because Congress makes the nation’s laws b.Because many Presidents first were Senators or Representatives c.Because Congress spends the people’s money

2.Theoretically, the Framers of the Constitution favored bicameralism because a.The houses might act as a check and balance on each other b.Two houses could block the acts of one President c.One house would spend more money that two

3.Which of the following is the main reason that the President rarely had to call Congress into a special session? a. The President controls te Congress and does not need special sessions b. Congress now meets nearly year- round anyway c. Congress made it clear that it was tired of special sessions

True or False 4.Bicameralism was the invention of the Constitutional Convention of A Term is the length of time between elections in Congress. 6.The President may not call the Congress into session.

The End