Structure of Legislative Branch Congress Bicameral- Has ____ legislative houses House of _____________- Each state has number of reps based on population (435) Senate- Each state has ______ senators(100) two Representatives two

Legislative Branch Powers Approve the _______ Declare ______ Make _______ Approve presidential ____________ Coin ________ Control _________ _______ armed forces Levying _________ budget war laws appointments money commerce Maintain taxes

House and Senate Comparison Number of Members Term Term Limits Qualifications *At least 25 years of age *U.S. citizen for at least 7 years *Live in the state they represent 435 2 years None *At least 30 years of age *U.S. citizen for at least 9 years *Resident of the state they represent 100 6 years House Senate

Leaders of Congress House of Representatives ________ of the House Selected from the Political Party that has the majority of members In charge of almost all the activities of the House Speaker

Leaders of Congress Senate Vice President President Pro ________ Official ____________ of the Senate President Pro ________ Handles the day to day leadership tasks Usually the senior member of the majority party President Tempore

U.S. Census Every _____ years the __________ of the U.S. is determined by census Allowed by the U.S. Constitution, Art. 1, Sec. 2 The population numbers are used to determine the number of ______________ each state receives ten population representatives

Reapportionment After each census the distribution of representatives is ______________ based on the __________ in population in each state The total __________ of representatives remains the same (435) The number of representatives a state has is dependent on how its _________________ compares to the other states recalculated change number population

The Legislative Process (How Bill becomes a law) House of Representatives Senate Bill is written Bill is written

Legislative Powers __________Powers Powers expressly __________ in Art. I (collect taxes, maintain army, make money) ___________ Powers (Elastic Clause) Powers _________ to carry out expressed powers (i.e. Military Academies, Mints) Powers needed for the general __________ of the country (Environmental Laws) Expressed listed Implied necessary welfare

Factors that may influence a legislator’s vote ______________ Voice the _________ of the citizens they represent _____________ Keep the voters happy _______ membership Follow their party’s platform __________ Groups Constituents beliefs Re-election Party Interests

Role of Interest Groups in the legislative process Representing __________ viewpoints Make political ________________ Identify and publicize ____________ ___________ government officials (attempting to influence government leaders to create laws) ___________ legislation Laws to serve their interest different issues contributions Lobbying Propose

Legislative Checks over other branches Ratify _________ Done by the Senate Approve __________ Appropriate (pay) _____________ Must be introduced by House ___________ a veto _________ a President and federal judges treaties appointments money Override Impeach

Limiting the power of the Legislative Branch (Checks and Balances) Judicial (Supreme Court) May declare laws unconstitutional Executive (President) Vetoes acts of Congress Calls Congress into special sessions