Article 1 The Legislative Branch

The 3 Branches of Government Article 1- Legislative Article 2- Executive Article 3- Judicial Which is stronger? Technically no branch is stronger than any other! The Framers created a series of checks and balances in order to limit the powers of each branch. A check means to limit power in order to balance the power of the branches.

What is the Legislative Branch? Legislative…What does this word sound like? To “legislate” or to make and pass laws for the people Congress is composed of representative to represent the people on a federal level.

The Great Compromise Virginia Plan- Based on Population New Jersey Plan- Equal representation The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)- Created two methods of representation by essentially combining the previous plans 3/5 ths Comprimise

Bi-Cameral Legislature The Framers developed a Bi-cameral legislature: Proportional Representation: Based on Population Equal Representation: Every state gets 2

House of Representatives Based on the population of a a state- “Majority rule”. H.O.R. members serve for 2 year terms! Qualifications: 1. Must be at least 25 years old 2. Must be an American citizen for at least 7 years 3. Must live in the state when elected Fun Fact- John Dingell From Michigan served longer than anyone else in the House- over 59 years!

Senate Equal representation- 2 members of every state are chosen (6 year terms Qualifications: 1. Must be at least 30 years old 2. Must be an American citizen for at least 9 years 3. Must live in the state when elected Fun Fact- Strom Thurmond served 47 years and 149 days, only Senator to reach age 100 in office

Important Positions and terms in Congress House Of Representative Speaker of the House- Leader of the H.O.R. from the majority party (3 rd in line for presidency- 25 th Amendment) Senate Senate President- The V.P. Senate Pro Tempore- The leader of the Senate when the V.P. is not around (senior member of majority party Filibuster- A long speech made to avoid a vote on a certain issue. Majority Leader- head of leading party Minority Leader- head of smaller party Both Whip- tells party members how to vote (there are minority and majority whips)

CHECKS AND BALANCES Powers Major powers of Congress include: 1.Able to tax 2.Decalare war and control military spending 3.Pass laws 4.Approves Presidential appointees and has impeachment powers Checks Limits or checks on Congress’s power includes: 1.The President gets a say as to what laws get passed 2.The Supreme Court can rule a law made by Congress unconstitutional

Quick Quiz 1.What is a bicameral legislature? 2.The legislative branch is composed of the _______________ and the _____________. 3.What are the three qualifications for Senate? The House of Representatives? 4.Who is the President of the Senate? 5.What are checks and balances? 6.What are the pros and cons of checks and balances?