Unit 4 – Legislative Branch Everything else…

Domestic Policy Domestic policy refers to legislation that effects here at home Domestic policy refers to legislation that effects here at home ie. Healthcare, Education, Taxes, and Immigration ie. Healthcare, Education, Taxes, and Immigration

Legislation Most bills are written with for a specific topic Most bills are written with for a specific topic Riders are added to help the bill pass. They are negotiated between Representatives and between Senators. Riders are added to help the bill pass. They are negotiated between Representatives and between Senators. Examples of riders: Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) for $1.8 million in swine odor and manure management research in Ames, Iowa or Representative Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.) for $2.2 million for the MountainMade Foundation, a nonprofit organization that he helped set up Examples of riders: Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) for $1.8 million in swine odor and manure management research in Ames, Iowa or Representative Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.) for $2.2 million for the MountainMade Foundation, a nonprofit organization that he helped set up

Rider Terminology Riders are also called earmarks. It refers to the fact that riders are items added to a popular piece of legislation allocated to a specific state/area for a specific project. Riders are also called earmarks. It refers to the fact that riders are items added to a popular piece of legislation allocated to a specific state/area for a specific project. This practice is called pork-barrel spending. This practice is called pork-barrel spending.

rts_pigbook2008 The Pig Book The Pig Book Published by The Citizens Against Government Waste

Taxes Article I, section 8 clause 1 “to lay and collect taxes, “ Article I, section 8 clause 1 “to lay and collect taxes, “ Direct tax – taxes paid by the person on whom it is imposed. ie Property Taxes Direct tax – taxes paid by the person on whom it is imposed. ie Property Taxes Indirect tax – paid by one person and passed onto the secondhand person. ie Cigarettes Indirect tax – paid by one person and passed onto the secondhand person. ie Cigarettes Progressive Income tax – the more you make the more you pay Progressive Income tax – the more you make the more you pay 16 th Amendment – allows for a personal income tax 16 th Amendment – allows for a personal income tax

Entitlement Programs Programs created and controlled by Congress – a benefit that federal law says must be paid to all those who meet the eligibility requirements Programs created and controlled by Congress – a benefit that federal law says must be paid to all those who meet the eligibility requirements Programs are paid from taxes that all pay Programs are paid from taxes that all pay ie. Welfare, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps ie. Welfare, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps

Copyright Law “To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries” (U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8) “To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries” (U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8) Congress created the US Copyright Office responsible for issuing copyrights and advising Congress on copyright issues. Congress created the US Copyright Office responsible for issuing copyrights and advising Congress on copyright issues.

Checks and Balances - Congress Presidential Appointments – Senate approval Presidential Appointments – Senate approval Foreign Treaties – Senate approval Foreign Treaties – Senate approval President sends troops into battle – House appropriates the funds, Congress declares war President sends troops into battle – House appropriates the funds, Congress declares war President vetoes bill – Congress overrides President vetoes bill – Congress overrides Supreme Court nominations – Senate approval Supreme Court nominations – Senate approval Supreme Court declares law unconstitutional – Congress rewrites it and pass it again Supreme Court declares law unconstitutional – Congress rewrites it and pass it again

Congressional Oversight Oversight – the power of Congress to review / question actions of the Executive Branch Oversight – the power of Congress to review / question actions of the Executive Branch Being used regarding Iraq / Afghanistan Being used regarding Iraq / Afghanistan

Foreign Policy Senate Senate Approve foreign treaties with other nations Approve foreign treaties with other nations Approve Presidential appointments for ambassador and cabinet (ie Secretary of State) Approve Presidential appointments for ambassador and cabinet (ie Secretary of State) Write resolutions dealing with foreign nations Write resolutions dealing with foreign nations Visit foreign nations and leaders Visit foreign nations and leaders

Foreign Policy House of Representatives House of Representatives Pass Appropriations Bills Pass Appropriations Bills Visit foreign country Visit foreign country Passes resolutions regarding Passes resolutions regarding US stance on issues US stance on issues pertaining to foreign nations pertaining to foreign nations Rep Micheal McCaul 10 th TX Rep Micheal McCaul 10 th TX

Foreign Policy UN – United Nations: an international organization that consists of 192 member nations. Joined in 1945 UN – United Nations: an international organization that consists of 192 member nations. Joined in 1945 UN Security Council – 5 permanent members and 10 rotating members (US, UK, China, France, Russia) UN Security Council – 5 permanent members and 10 rotating members (US, UK, China, France, Russia) NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization: alliance of nations in the northern hemisphere along the Atlantic Ocean. 28 members NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization: alliance of nations in the northern hemisphere along the Atlantic Ocean. 28 members Joined in 1949 Joined in 1949

Foreign Trade Policy The Constitution gives Congress express power over the imposition of tariffs and the regulation of international trade. The Constitution gives Congress express power over the imposition of tariffs and the regulation of international trade.ConstitutionCongresstariffsinternational tradeConstitutionCongresstariffsinternational trade enact laws including those that: establish tariff rates; enact laws including those that: establish tariff rates; implement trade agreements; implement trade agreements;trade agreementstrade agreements provide remedies against unfairly traded imports; provide remedies against unfairly traded imports;imports control exports of sensitive technology; control exports of sensitive technology;exports extend tariff preferences to imports from developing countries. extend tariff preferences to imports from developing countries.developing countriesdeveloping countries Over time, Congress has delegated some of its trade authority to the Executive Branch. Over time, Congress has delegated some of its trade authority to the Executive Branch.Executive BranchExecutive Branch Congress requires that certain trade laws and programs be renewed; Congress requires that certain trade laws and programs be renewed; Requires the Executive Branch to issue reports to Congress to monitor the implementation of the trade laws and programs Requires the Executive Branch to issue reports to Congress to monitor the implementation of the trade laws and programs

Foreign Trade Policy NAFTA – North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement – negotiated under G W H Bush but after Congress passed the legislation is it signed by Clinton – Includes US, Mexico, and Canada NAFTA – North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement – negotiated under G W H Bush but after Congress passed the legislation is it signed by Clinton – Includes US, Mexico, and Canada FTAA – currently negotiating treaty with all countries of the Americas FTAA – currently negotiating treaty with all countries of the Americas