It is BICAMERAL – Two Chambers

The larger of the 2 Chambers

There are 435 Members of the House.There are 435 Members of the House. They are chosen on the basis of State populationThey are chosen on the basis of State population

TWO year term of office.TWO year term of office. The whole House is re-elected every 2 yearsThe whole House is re-elected every 2 years

362 men ; 76 women 362 men ; 76 women 44 Black ; 25 Hispanic ; 7 Asian ; 1 Native American 44 Black ; 25 Hispanic ; 7 Asian ; 1 Native American Average age 56.7 Average age 56.7 Professional background: business / public service /politics / law Professional background: business / public service /politics / law

To consider all money bills first To consider all money bills first This was originally given to the House as it was originally the only directly elected chamber (until 1913) To Impeach..To Impeach.. Any member of the federal government executive or judicial branches To choose a President.. To choose a President.. In the event that no candidate has received a majority in the electoral college

To pass laws To pass laws To pass the budget To pass the budget To undertake investigations into the actions of the executive To undertake investigations into the actions of the executive branch branch To start constitutional amendments by a 2/3rds majority in To start constitutional amendments by a 2/3rds majority in both houses both houses To declare war To declare war To confirm the appointment of a newly elected vice President To confirm the appointment of a newly elected vice President

The SPEAKER is the key figure in the HOR. The SPEAKER is the key figure in the HOR. There is also a MAJORITY and MINORITY LEADER, elected by their respective parties. They play a key role of coordinating the day to day activities of the House as well as representing the views of the Chamber in meetings with the President.There is also a MAJORITY and MINORITY LEADER, elected by their respective parties. They play a key role of coordinating the day to day activities of the House as well as representing the views of the Chamber in meetings with the President.

The role of Speaker of the House is compared to the role of British PM more than Speaker of the House of Commons. The role of Speaker of the House is compared to the role of British PM more than Speaker of the House of Commons. This is because the US Speaker is a partisan player rather than neutral umpire. Example: Speaker, Newt Gingrich, took a real role in politics in the 1990s with his ‘Contract with America’

Roles  Refers bills to Committees, appoints select committee and conference committee chairs while influencing the appointment of standing committee chairs, Appoints majority party contingent on House rules committee, and presides over the House enforcing its rules.

The most Important of the 2 Chambers?

There are 100 Members of the Senate.There are 100 Members of the Senate. 2 per State2 per State There are 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans and 2 independentsThere are 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans and 2 independents

Term of office is SIX YEARS Term of office is SIX YEARS 1/3rd of candidates are elected every TWO years 1/3rd of candidates are elected every TWO years Candidates must be over 30 ; An American citizen for more than 9years and resident in the State they are standing for Candidates must be over 30 ; An American citizen for more than 9years and resident in the State they are standing for

TWO year term of office.TWO year term of office. The whole House is re-elected every 2 yearsThe whole House is re-elected every 2 years

83 men ; 17 women 83 men ; 17 women 0 Black ; 2 Hispanic ; 2 Asian 0 Black ; 2 Hispanic ; 2 Asian Average age 62.2Average age 62.2 Professional background: Law/ public service /politics : business Professional background: Law/ public service /politics : business

To consider all money bills first To consider all money bills first This was originally given to the House as it was originally the only directly elected chamber (until 1913) To Impeach..To Impeach.. Any member of the federal government executive or judicial branches To choose a President.. To choose a President.. In the event that no candidate has received a majority in the electoral college

1.To RATIFY treaties by 2/3rds majority 2.To confirm many federal appointments by simple majority (eg supreme court judges, cabinet) 3.To try cases of impeachment brought by Congress (2/3rds majority needed for conviction) 4.To elect a Vice President where two or more candidates are tied

The role of Speaker of the House is compared to the role of British PM more than Speaker of the House of Commons. The role of Speaker of the House is compared to the role of British PM more than Speaker of the House of Commons. This is because the US Speaker is a partisan player rather than neutral umpire. Example: Speaker, Newt Gingrich, took a real role in politics in the 1990s with his ‘Contract with America’

The VICE PRESIDENT is the President of the Senate and has the right to preside over the chamber and control the casting vote in the event of a tie. Normally however the Senate elects a President pro tempore—a senior figure of the majority party—to chair the chamber in the VP’s absence. Minority and Majority leaders are also important The Senate, in the absence of a ‘Rules committee,’ timetables bills through ‘unanimous consent agreements’