CONGRESS: The Legislative Branch

Key items to know about the Congress… I.KEY ITEMS TO KNOW ABOUT THE CONGRESS  Most closely represents the people  responsible for making the laws  Bicameral legislature II: See table on next slide and your handout…

House of Representatives CATEGORYSenate Minimum 25 years old AGE Minimum 30 years old U.S. citizen for 7 years CITIZENSHIP U.S. citizen for 9 years Must live in state they represent RESIDENCY Must live in state they represent Apportionment based on state’s population (435 total) APPORTIONMENT (State Membership) Apportionment equal among the states (2 per state – 100 total) 2-year term TERM OF OFFICE 6-year term Speaker of the House PRESIDING OFFICER Vice President President Pro Tempore Requirements for membership EXTRA CREDIT: Who’s this guy? EXTRA CREDIT: Who’s this guy? EXTRA CREDIT: Who are these people? EXTRA CREDIT: Who are these people? EXTRA CREDIT: Who are these people? EXTRA CREDIT: Who are these people? EXTRA CREDIT: Who’s this guy? EXTRA CREDIT: Who’s this guy?

Membership has its privileges… III.CONGRESSIONAL PRIVILEGES A.Substantial salary ( : $174,000) B.Travel allowance C.Free office space and funds for supplies D.Franking privilege: right to send official mail free of postage E.Freedom from civil arrest during sessions F.Freedom of speech on the floor Can not be sued for slander or libel Free to speak and debate EXTRA CREDIT: Who’s this guy? EXTRA CREDIT: Who’s this guy?

When does the Congress meet? IV.CONGRESSIONAL SESSIONS A.Meets in two regular sessions in a 2-year term B.Session starts on January 3 rd and continues as long as there is a need Beginning with the first Congress , Congress is numbered in order ( : 114 th Congress) : 114 th Congress

Special Powers of the House of Representatives V.SPECIAL POWERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A.Start all revenue bills B.Bring charges of impeachment against federal officials C.Elect the president if the electoral college fails to give a candidate a majority

Special Powers of the Senate VI.SPECIAL POWERS OF THE SENATE A.Ratify treaties negotiated by the President (2/3 majority vote) B.Decide on impeachment trials (2/3 majority vote) C.Approve Presidential appointments (majority vote) D.Elect Vice President if electoral college is deadlocked

Key Constitutional differences between the House and the Senate Initiates all revenue bills Initiates impeachment procedures and passes articles of impeachment Two-year terms 435 members (apportioned by population) Must confirm many major presidential appointments Tries impeached officials Six-year terms (One-third up for reelection every two years) 100 members (two from each state) Approves treaties

How a bill becomes a law… Idea If approved… If it’s a REVENUE BILL, it starts in the House of Representatives If the bill PASSES, it goes to the President Pigeonholing: Most bills proposed (90%) are killed in committee Conference committee: Members “fine- tune” the bill and create a compromise bill

How a bill becomes a law… 1.If signed within 10 days, it becomes law. 2.If not signed within 10 days, and Congress is still in session, it still becomes law. 3.POCKET VETO: Not signed, and Congress is NOT in session, it’s dead. 4.If President vetoes bill, it goes back to the house it originated (started) in. 5.Congress may override Presidential veto with a 2/3 majority vote in BOTH houses.

How do members of Congress make sure their voice is heard? VII.HOW TO INFLUENCE VOTING IN CONGRESS A.FILIBUSTERING 1.FILIBUSTER: Senate rules allow a senator to filibuster — to speak for an indefinite period of time on any subject whatsoever to prevent action on a measure being debated 2.A deliberate attempt by a Senator to “talk a bill to death”

How do members of Congress make sure their voice is heard? 3.Possible result  bill may be returned to committee 4.Cloture A process used by Senate to bring an end to a filibuster A 3/5 majority vote can halt a debate Filibuster - Green Eggs and Ham

How do people have their issues discussed in Congress? B.LOBBYING AND THE INFLUENCE OF SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS 1.Special Interest Groups: Political, economic, or social groups that attempt to pressure members of Congress into passing favorable laws

How do people have their issues discussed in Congress? 2.Lobbyists: Professional, politically experienced people hired by special interest groups to carry out their legislative goals 3.Who are they?  Individuals in the private sector (i.e., wealthy, activists, etc.)  Corporations  Fellow legislators 4.Actions used by lobbyists and special interest groups  Meet with members of Congress and provide expert information  Arrange parties, campaign funds, favors  Urge public response

Pros & Cons of Lobbying PROS They have the right to petition Congress Allows special interest groups to express opinions Call attention to the need of laws Provide valuable informationPROS They have the right to petition Congress Allows special interest groups to express opinions Call attention to the need of laws Provide valuable information CONS Questionable methods Well-financed groups have an advantage over other groups Information may be one sided CONS Questionable methods Well-financed groups have an advantage over other groups Information may be one sided

In what other ways do Congressmen “bring home the bacon”? VIII.OTHER PRACTICES INFLUENCING VOTING IN CONGRESS A.Pork Barrel Legislation: Members of Congress provide public works programs and other spending for their home districts  “bringing home the bacon”; “earmarks” B.Logrolling: Deal-making and the trading of favors among members of Congress  trades for votes “You vote for my bill, I’ll vote for yours.”

C.Gerrymandering A practice that attempts to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries to create biased electoral districts An attempt to manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class