Chapter 8: The Legislative Branch

8.1 The Members of Congress Members of Congress are responsible for making laws and creating public policies Members of Congress are responsible for making laws and creating public policies Congress is made up of the House of Representatives & the Senate Congress is made up of the House of Representatives & the Senate

The Responsibilities of Congress Constituents: a group of citizens that a member of Congress represents in Washington, D.C. Constituents: a group of citizens that a member of Congress represents in Washington, D.C. Political parties: a group of people with similar ideas who want to control gov’t by winning elections Political parties: a group of people with similar ideas who want to control gov’t by winning elections Interest groups: groups of people (called lobbyists) who work together for similar goals; they often give votes and money to members of Congress Interest groups: groups of people (called lobbyists) who work together for similar goals; they often give votes and money to members of Congress

U.S. Representatives Every 10 years, the U.S. takes a census (an official count of the population) to determine the number of representatives for each state Every 10 years, the U.S. takes a census (an official count of the population) to determine the number of representatives for each state Each state is divided into several congressional districts (areas that members of Congress represent); usually about 650,000 people Each state is divided into several congressional districts (areas that members of Congress represent); usually about 650,000 people

Representation in Congress by State

The House of Representatives Total of 435 members 19 members represent PA in Washington Most of Upper Dublin is part of the 13 th congressional district Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) is our U.S. Representative in the House

Requirements for U.S. Representatives Elected for a term of two years Elected for a term of two years No term limits No term limits Must be at least 25 years old Must be at least 25 years old Must be a citizen for at least 7 years Must be a citizen for at least 7 years Must live in the state and district that they represent Must live in the state and district that they represent

The Senate Total of 100 members (2 from each state) Total of 100 members (2 from each state) Our two Senators are: Our two Senators are: - Arlen Specter (R-PA) (Senior Senator) - Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA) (Junior Senator)

Requirements for U.S. Senators Elected for a term of 6 years Elected for a term of 6 years No term limits No term limits Must be at least 30 years old Must be at least 30 years old Must be a citizen for at least 9 years Must be a citizen for at least 9 years Must live in the state that they represent Must live in the state that they represent

Salary and Benefits of Members of Congress Receive $170,000/ year Receive $170,000/ year Two or more offices Two or more offices Travel allowances Travel allowances Free gym membership Free gym membership Healthcare Healthcare Free postage Free postage Free parking in Washington, D.C. Free parking in Washington, D.C.

8.2 The Powers of Congress Congress has the power to collect taxes & borrow money Congress is responsible for the federal budget

The Legislative Powers of Congress Regulate trade Regulate trade Create an economic system Create an economic system Make immigration laws Make immigration laws Declare war Declare war Issue patents & copyrights Issue patents & copyrights

The Nonlegislative Powers of Congress Elect President/Vice President if no one receives a majority in the Electoral College Confirm presidential appointments Propose amendments Admit new states Try impeachment cases

Limits on the Powers of Congress Writ of habeas corpus: prevents a citizen from being held in jail without being charged for a crime or given a trial Writ of habeas corpus: prevents a citizen from being held in jail without being charged for a crime or given a trial Bill of attainder: a law that convicts someone of a crime without a trial Bill of attainder: a law that convicts someone of a crime without a trial Ex post facto laws: prevents the gov’t from making a particular act a crime and punishing people who committed the act before it was a crime Ex post facto laws: prevents the gov’t from making a particular act a crime and punishing people who committed the act before it was a crime

8.3 The Leadership in Congress Speaker of the House (Nancy Pelosi) -Most powerful in the House -Presides over sessions -Appoints members to Committees -Has a lot of influence over which bills fail or pass -Third in line for the presidency

The Leaders of the Senate President of the Senate is always the Vice President The Vice President can debate the bills but can only vote to break a tie The President pro-tem is usually the presiding officer (the fourth in line for the presidency)

Other Leaders in Congress Floor leaders are the majority and minority leaders Guide bills through Congress Try to persuade their party to accept compromises

Leaders Continued... Assistant Floor Leader are known as “whips” Assistant Floor Leader are known as “whips” Their responsibility is make sure their members support the party’s position on key issues Their responsibility is make sure their members support the party’s position on key issues