Student Congress for Competition Debate Class

Congress Basics Great Brittain Parliament United States Congress

Congress Basics Government division – 3 branches Executive Judicial Legislative U.S. Congress division House Senate

The HOUSE of Representatives Each state is represented in the House proportionally by its population, and is entitled to at least one representative; the most populous state, California, has 53 representatives. The total number of representatives is currently fixed at 435 by Public Law 62-5 of 1911, though Congress has the authority to change that number. Each representative serves for a two-year term. The presiding officer of the House is known as the Speaker, and is elected by the members.

The SENATE In the Senate, each state is represented by two members, in accordance with the Connecticut Compromise reached at the Philadelphia Convention of The Senate's membership is therefore based on the equal representation of each state, regardless of population. Membership stays at 100 Senators serve for six-year terms. The Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate and serves as its presiding officer, but is not a Senator and does not vote except to break ties.

Congress Basics Most bills may be introduced in either House of Congress. However, the Constitution provides that "All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives." As a result, the Senate does not have the power to initiate bills imposing taxes. Although it cannot originate revenue bills, the Senate retains the power to amend or reject them.

Congress Basics Resolutions – may become BILLS Bills – may become LAWS A bill that has been agreed to in identical form by both bodies becomes the law of the land only after-- 1. Presidential approval; or 2. failure by the President to return it with objections to the House in which it originated within 10 days (Sundays excepted) while Congress is in session; or 3. the overriding of a presidential veto by a two- thirds vote in each House.

Student Congress Types of Speeches Authorship – given by the Author of the legislation, or a representative of the school. If not present, someone can assume the role of the Author Pro – a speech in favor of the legislation Con – a speech in opposition of the legislation Speeches should be a defense or attack of the issues of the legislation, rather than the core subject

Student Congress If you wish to persuade in Student Congress, you must: Invent the argument and find the data to support it Understand Parliamentary rules and the application of those rules in the student congress Be sensitive to the shifting weight of opinion within the group, and be prepared to offset arguments that are given in opposition to your position Develop the skill of disagreeing with ideas without being disagreeable.