1. Article One Legislative Branch Part One, Two and Three “Our Federal and State Constitution” By: Alex J. Schmidt

2. Legislative Branch/Congress Major duty is to make the laws –Senate Each state has two senators –House one representative from a congressional district –Agencies that provide support –Gov. Printing Office –Library of Congress –General Accountant Office

3. Term for Congress and Meetings Term begins every 3rd day of January of every odd numbered year –Lasts for two years –Constitution says Congress shall meet at least once a year in the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. This is the only place where they meet to make our laws –Senate and House of Rep. meet in separate chambers (rooms). –President may call Congress for special sessions

4. Capitol Building

5. Congress Rules and Privileges May expel or punish its own members Makes rules about procedures and keeps record of all meetings Members are privileged from arrest while going to or coming from Congress or while attending a session –If they commit a criminal offense they may be arrested –Cannot be sued for what is said in Congress, but may need to follow rules about what can cannot be said and proper behavior Copyright Page 16

6. Cont…. Each day, Congress’ proceedings are printed in The Congressional Record It consists of bills introduced into the Senate and the House of Rep., speeches, and testimonies –There may even be speeches that were never read in the “Record” which are printed every year

7. Role of Congress Role is to improve the quality of our live and to make our nation stronger Acts of Congress –Air safety: Assures commercial air safety –Banking:Guarantee deposits made in banks –Clean Air: Pollution control laws –Family leave: 12 weeks of unpaid leave to workers –Labor wages: Minimum wage and votes periodic raises –Automobile safety: Car production needs to meet safety standards –Handicapped access: Employment opp. for handicapped

8. Review What is the major duty of the legislative branch? What is the major body in the legislative branch? What two houses make up the legislative branch? What is representative government? True or False The Pres has the power to call Congress into special sessions. Congress meets in many of our cities. There are times where members of Congress may be arrested. Must meet at least twice a year. President makes the rules for Congress Congress meets in the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. The daily record of Congress is called “The Capital Journal”.

9. Senate: Article 1, Section3 100 members –2 per state regardless of size 1/3 are elected every two years for six year terms –Designed this way so only 1/3 of the Senate goes out of office at any one time Senate will have members at all times Each 1/3 is called a class All senators serve six years May be re-elected for an unlimited number or terms A senator receives $169,300 and an expense allowance Must be at least 30 years old U.S. citizen for at least 9 years Live in the state he or she represents Vacancy: –Governor of the state affected makes a temporary appointment until the next election

10. Senate Vice Pres. of the U.S. is the president of the Senate –May not debate or vote except in the case of a tie Senate also elects one of its own members to be president pro tempore –Serves in the absence of the vice Senate majority, minority and pro tempore receive a salary of $188,100 Duties Passes bills it hopes will become laws Approves treaties made by the Pres. Approves the selection of certain federal officers by the pres. Jury in case of impeachment –Has sat in 15 impeachment cases –Found Bill Clinton not guilty in 1999

11. Election of Senators 17th Amendment –People of the states now have the power to elect Senators –Senators for the state of Illinois Roland W. Burris (D) Richard Durbin (D)

12. House of Representatives Article 1, Section 2 435 members: Fixed by law –Each state is given its share according to population –Favored the larger states in disputes with smaller ones Each state has at least one member Voters elect their representative according to their district Elected every two years for a two year term Election date: November of every even numbered year and take office January 3rd of the odd year May be elected an unlimited number of times

13. Salary and Qualifications $169,300 and an expense allowance Must be at least 25 years of age U.S. citizen for at least 7 years Inhabitant of the state he or she represents A special election is called by the government in case of a vacancy in office Speaker of the House: elected by the majority party –Salary $217,400+expense allowance –House majority and minority leaders are elected and they receive $188,100

14. House Duties Passes bills hoping they become a law All bills for revenue must start in the House Has sole power of impeachment against any federal officer After the House brings charges of impeachment, the Senate decides the case Important duty of selecting a president if no candidate has a majority in the Electoral College