The Legislative Branch

Functions of the Legislature Expressed Powers –Provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare –Naturalization –Create, equip, and fund armed forces –Declare war

Functions of the Legislature Financial Powers –Collect taxes Only for public purposes, not for private benefit

Functions of the Legislature Regulation of Trade –Regulate Commerce with foreign nations and among states –Coin money and establish value –Establish post office –Issue copyrights and patents

Functions of the Legislature Implied Powers-Powers that are not spelled out by the Constitution –Draft soldiers –Create Banks –Punishing tax evaders –Establish a minimum wage –Ban discrimination in the workplace

Functions of the Legislature Non-Legislative Functions –Admit new states –Propose amendments –Count electoral votes –Approve appointment when vacancy occurs

House v. Senate HouseSenate Length of Term2 years6 years Minimum Age2530 Citizenship Min. 7 years9 years ConstituencyVoters of a District Voters of a State Total Members RepresentationBased on Pop.2

Census Census-Taken every ten years to count amount of people living in U.S. Uses of the census: –Reapportionment -redistributing seats in the House among the states –Redistrict -drawing new boundaries so that all districts are essentially equal –Gerrymandering –drawing odd shaped boundaries to favor a particular candidate or political party pdf

Perks Congressional Immunity –exemption from minor traffic violations, jury duty, and civil suits. Franking Privilege –Free postal service for mail sent by members of Congress

Incumbents Incumbents –those who currently hold public office –Recognizable –Easier to raise money –Gain support –Therefore, easier to be reelected ts/full/#Hhttp:// ts/full/#H

Compensation and Benefits Congress is paid from treasury (Congress) $174,000 a year

Other Censure –form of punishment by declaring disapproval for another Congressman’s actions Code of Ethics – rules and guidelines for behavior

Other Pork-Barrel Projects –project and grants that chiefly benefit the home district –Highway funding –Grants for special projects

Leadership Positions in Congress

Congressional Leadership The House Speaker of the House The most powerful member of the House Always a member of the majority party Powers of the Speaker –Presides over debates –Committee assignments –Assigns Bills to committee John Boehner R-Ohio

Congressional Leadership The House House Majority Leader –Chief strategist and spokesperson for the majority party –Guide legislation through the House House Minority Leader –Primary responsibility is to provide opposition to the majority party Eric Cantor R-Virginia Nancy Pelosi D-California

Congressional Leadership The House Whips –Majority and Minority –Main duty is to find out the opinions of party members on different issues –Get members of party to vote on issues –Serve in the absence of the Maj./Min. Leaders Majority Whip: Kevin McCarthy R-California Minority Whip: Steny Hoyer D-Maryland

Congressional Leadership The Senate The President of the Senate –The Vice President –Little real authority in the Senate –Preside over debates –Casts deciding vote in the case of a tie –Official count of electoral votes Joe Biden D-Delaware

Congressional Leadership The Senate The President Pro Tempore –Basically an honorary position –Reserved for the senior majority party leader –Does not compare to the responsibilities of the Speaker of the House President Pro-Tempore: Daniel Inouye D-Hawaii

Congressional Leadership The Senate The Senate Majority Leader –True leader of the Senate –Chosen by the majority party vote Senate Majority Leader: Harry Reid D-Nevada

Congressional Leadership The Senate Senate Minority Leader –Chosen by the minority party vote –Becomes majority leader if election shifts majority –Responsible for organizing opposition to the majority party Senate Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell R-Kentucky

Committees Committees serve as a method of building a consensus –Breaks down the legislative process –Made up of both party members –Exists in both houses

Committees Standing Committees –permanent –Example: Armed Services (Senate) Select Committees –Temporary –Example: Senate Committee on Watergate Conference Committees –Temporary –Made up of members of both the House and Senate