Structure and Functions of the Legislative Branch Principles of GPA

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Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Congress The nation’s lawmaking body The legislative branch of the national government Bicameral structure – divided into two houses: ‒ Senate – each state is equally represented; known as the “upper house” ‒ House of Representatives – states are represented based on population 3

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. The Bicameral Structure of Congress 4 Each house acts as a check on the other so that neither has controlling power, and Congress does not overwhelm the executive or judicial branch of government Historically, the framers of the Constitution were familiar with the British bicameral system Smaller states wanted an equal voice; larger states wanted a bigger voice. Both were appeased with two houses

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Terms and Sessions of Congress 5 A term lasts for two years Session – when Congress assembles and conducts business; there are two sessions each term Neither house may end a session without the other’s consent Special sessions – the President only can call Congress or either of its houses into special session. Only 27 special sessions with both houses have ever been held

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. House of Representatives 6 States are represented based on population 435 members of the House today The number of members is set by Congress, not by the Constitution Members of the House represent a district

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. House of Representatives (continued) 7 Elected to two-year terms Reelection hopes keep them focused on their voters There is no constitutional limit to the number of terms House members can serve Qualifications for office ‒ At least 25 years old ‒ U.S. citizen for at least 7 years ‒ Inhabitants of the state from which they are elected

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Senate 8 Known as the “upper house” Each state is equally represented 100 Senators from 50 states Elected for six-year terms Staggered terms = a continuous body

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Senate (continued) 9 Qualifications ‒ At least 30 years old ‒ U.S. citizen for at least 9 years ‒ Inhabitants of the state from which they are elected

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Roles of Congress 10 Legislators Representatives of their constituents Committee members –Screen bills each session –Determine which bills will be considered and acted upon –Oversight function – make sure the executive branch carries out the policies Congress has set by law Servants of their constituents Politicians

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Making Law 11 Committees do much of the work of Congress, including ‒ Screen bills each session, eliminating unworthy bills ‒ Make sure the executive branch carries out the policies Congress has set by law The fate of most bills is decided by standing committees

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Bills 12 Introduced to Congress via ‒ The Executive branch ‒ Special interest groups ‒ Private citizens Tax bills must first be acted upon by the House, according to the Constitution

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Steps for a Successful Bill 13 1.The bill is introduced 2.A clerk assigns a number and a title 3.First reading 4.The Speaker refers to the appropriate standing committee 5.The subcommittee holds hearings and/or seeks additional information 6.The committee reports the bill

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Steps for a Successful Bill (continued) 14 7.The rules committee permits floor consideration 8.The bill is placed on the appropriate calendar 9.Second reading – debate and amendments 10.Vote on amendments, motions, and the full bill 11.The approved bill is engrossed 12.Third reading by title only 13.Final vote

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Differences in Senate Bill Process 15 Proceedings are less formal than that of the House Debate in the House is limited, but it is almost unrestrained in the Senate

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Bill: After Passing Both Houses 16 Submitted to the President The President can ‒ Sign the bill ‒ Veto the bill ‒ Allow the bill to become law without signing and by not acting on it within 10 days

Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. Resources , Macgruder’s American Government, McClenaghan, W., Pearson, Prentice Hall,