Legislative Branch Law Making Branch

vocabulary Bicameral Census Constituent Gerrymander Majority party Minority party Standing Committee Seniority Expressed powers Implied powers Elastic clause Impeach Writ of habeas corpus Bill of attainder 15. Ex post facto law 16. Franking privilege 17. Lobbyist 18. Casework 19. Pork-barrel project 20. Joint resolution 21. Special-interest group 22. Filibuster 23. Cloture 24. Voice vote 25. Standing vote 26. Roll-call 27. Veto 28. Pocket veto

House of Representatives Qualifications Senate 30 Years old US citizen for 9 years Live in state elected from. House of Representatives 25 Years old US citizen for 7 years Live in state and district elected from. Robert Pittenger R 9th district Patrick McHenry D 10th district Thom Tillis R Richard Burr R

House of Representatives Terms and Membership Senate Six year terms 100 members Each state has two 1/3 is up for reelection every 2 yrs. Expected to prevent quick unwise changes in the law House of Representatives Two year terms 435 Members North Carolina has 13 California has 53 Each state has at least 1

House of Representatives Special Powers Senate Ratify treaties (2/3 vote) Elects VP if no majority. Act as the jury in Impeachment trials. Confirms Presidential appointments. House of Representatives Elects the President if no majority. Starts Impeachment

Congressional Benefits Salary: Approximately $174,000 a year. Trips to home state are paid for. Given discounts on many services Franking Privilege: Send job related mail without postage Other Congressional Allowances - office personnel Given immunity for minor crimes. Members’ Representational Allowance(MRA) - $573.9 million for fiscal year 2012 (Congress) Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account (SOPOEA) – 396.2 million for fiscal year 2012. .

Punishments Expulsion: Forced to leave. 2/3 vote by either house. Censure: Wrongdoings are made public. (Very embarrassing). A few recent examples - Anthony Weiner Barney Frank Larry Craig Fred Richmond Edward Kennedy Dan Crane Gerry Studds Mark Foley Wayne Hays Mel Reynolds

Congressional Districts If a state has more than one representative, district lines are drawn. Gerrymandering: Drawing of odd shaped districts for political reasons. All districts must have the same number of constituents (voters).

Sessions Regular: Two regular sessions, one for each year beginning on Jan. 3. Special: Called by the President. Used normally in times of crisis. Joint: House and Senate meet together. (State of the Union).

Congressional Leaders The party with the most members is the majority party. The party with the least members is the minority party. Floor leaders: Make sure that upcoming bills are in the best interest of the party. (Majority and minority). Party whip: Keeps track of voting intentions. Works with floor leader to ensure members vote on party lines. (Majority and minority). Speaker of the House: Leader of the House of Representatives. According to the constitution, the vice-president is the leader of the Senate. President pro tempore: Day to day leader of the Senate.

House of Representative Leaders Speaker Paul Ryan(R-WI) Majority Leader Minority Leader Majority Whip Minority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) Steve Scalice (R-LA) Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

Senate Leaders Vice-President of the United States President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch (R- UT) Joe Biden Majority Leader Minority Leader Majority Whip Minority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-KY) John Cornyn (R-TX) Dick Durbin (D- IL Harry Reid (D-NV)

Congressional Committees Discuss, research, and revise bills. “Congress at work”. Standing: Permanent committees specializing in a certain area. Divided into subcommittees. Select: Temporary committees formed to complete a task. Joint: Members of both houses meet together. Conference: Both houses meet together to discuss different versions of a bill.

Committee Membership Majority party has the majority on all committees. Party leadership determines membership. Seniority system: Desirable positions are given to those members who have served the longest.

Expressed or Implied Power Expressed powers are those listed in Article I of the Constitution. Implied powers come from the necessary and proper clause (elastic clause) allowing Congress to stretch its power.

Non-Legislative Power Powers that make the government run more effectively. Congress has the power to propose amendments, investigate legislation, investigate crimes committed by others, and impeachment.

Limits on Power Congress can not favor a state, tax trade between states, or tax exports. Can not pass laws that interfere with the legal rights of individuals. Can not interfere with powers reserved to the states. Checks and balances interfere with Congressional power. Economics will not allow congress to pass every law.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Introduction In the House of Reps., a bill is dropped into the “hopper” box and assigned to a committee. In the Senate, a senator submits a bill to the clerk for a reading and committee assignment.

Committee Action They can reject the bill immediately. They can pigeonhole a bill. (Set it aside). They can research and approve the bill. They can change any and all aspects of a bill.

Floor Debates Representatives in the house have a time limitation. Senators can filibuster a bill. (Talk it to death). Cloture: Limit the time senators may talk. Requires a 3/5 vote.

Voting Roll call: Opinion given after name is called. Voice vote: Used on procedural issues. Standing vote: Person stands until counted.

Presidential Action Sign a bill into law. Veto a bill (reject). Pocket veto: Take no action for ten days. If congress is in session after ten days, the bill becomes a law. If Congress is not in session after ten days, the bill is rejected.