1. The Legislative Branch NEXT

2. Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives Congress is divided into two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives, and its members have certain qualifications. Reading Focus What are the two houses of Congress? What are the qualifications, salaries, and rules of conduct for members of Congress? NEXT The Main Idea

3. Members and term limits in the House and the Senate: The House of Representatives has 435 members, who serve two-year terms. The Senate has 100 members, two for each state, who serve six-year terms. Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives 1 SECTION NEXT

4. Qualifications and salaries in the House and Senate: Representatives: must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and a legal resident of the state they represent Senators: must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and a legal resident of the state they represent The yearly salary is $145,100. Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives 1 SECTION NEXT

5. Misconduct by members of Congress: May lead to expulsion, removal from Congress, with a vote of two thirds of other members May lead to censure, a written reprimand Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives 1 SECTION NEXT

7. Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives 1 SECTION NEXT Question: In what ways does Congress deal with misconduct by its members?

8. Question: In what ways does Congress deal with misconduct by its members? Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives 1 SECTION NEXT

9. Section 2: How Congress is Organized Congress is organized in a way that allows its members to consider and pass legislation without each member having to do everything. Reading Focus What are the terms and sessions of Congress? How is Congress organized? NEXT The Main Idea

10. Congressional Sessions Two sessions per term Sessions begin in January each year, and a date to adjourn is agreed upon. Sessions usually adjourn in August or September. The president may call a special session when necessary. Section 2: How Congress is Organized 2 SECTION NEXT

11. Congressional Leaders Speaker of the House—elected from the majority party Floor leaders— elected in party caucuses to guide proposed laws through Congress Party whips—persuade members to vote for legislation Vice president —according to the Constitution presides over the Senate but only votes to break a tie President pro tempore—fills in for the vice president when necessary Section 2: How Congress is Organized 2 SECTION NEXT

12. Congressional Committees Study all bills before they are presented to Congress Members are nominated to committee assignments. Senators serve on at least two standing committees. Representatives serve on only two standing committees. Standing committee membership is proportionate to party majority in each house. Heads of Committee are now chosen by secret vote. Section 2: How Congress is Organized 2 SECTION NEXT

14. Question: When does a session of Congress begin, and how long does it last? Section 2: How Congress is Organized 2 SECTION NEXT

15. Question: When does a session of Congress begin, and how long does it last? When Sessions Begin The first session begins January 3 in odd-numbered years following the congressional election in November. The second session begins January 3 of the following year. How Long They Last Sessions last as long as Congress wishes. Adjournment dates are selected by Congress. Section 2: How Congress is Organized 2 SECTION NEXT

16. Section 3: The Powers of Congress The Constitution both defines and limits the powers of Congress. Reading Focus What types of powers are granted to Congress? What are some of the limits on the powers of Congress? NEXT The Main Idea

17. Five major areas in which Congress makes laws: Financing government Regulating and encouraging American trade and industry Defending the country Enforcing laws Providing for growth Section 3: The Powers of Congress 3 SECTION NEXT

20. The Elastic Clause "to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers" allows Congress to stretch its delegated powers to manage new situations Section 3: The Powers of Congress 3 SECTION NEXT

21. The special powers of Congress: House—begins impeachment proceedings, initiates bills to raise money, and selects president when no candidate receives sufficient electoral votes Senate—holds impeachment trials, selects vice president when no candidate has sufficient electoral votes, approves treaties, approves high officials Section 3: The Powers of Congress 3 SECTION NEXT

23. Congress is forbidden to: Pass ex post facto laws, pass bills of attainder, suspend writ of habeas corpus, tax exports, pass laws violating the Bill of Rights, favor trade of any state, grant titles of nobility, or withdraw money without a law Section 3: The Powers of Congress 3 SECTION NEXT

24. Question: What are the five major areas in which Congress has the power to make laws? Section 3: The Powers of Congress 3 SECTION NEXT

25. Question: What are the five major areas in which Congress has the power to make laws? Congressional Powers financing government defending the country enforcing laws providing for growth regulating and encouraging U.S. trade and industry Section 3: The Powers of Congress 3 SECTION NEXT

26. Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law To become a law, a bill goes through a multistage process involving both houses of Congress. Reading Focus How does a bill begin? How do the House and the Senate consider a bill? In what ways can the president act on the bill? NEXT The Main Idea

27. Ideas for bills originate from: U.S. citizens—constituents making requests of their congress members Organized groups—businesspeople and labor groups seeking to protect their interests Committees of Congress—investigating committees determine needs for new laws Members of Congress—experts in certain fields propose new laws The president—often introduces ideas for laws in the State of the Union Address Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law 4 SECTION NEXT

28. Bills introduced in either house of Congress Are read and placed in the Congressional Record. Are sent to a standing committee to be studied. Receive hearings by the committees and are amended. The committee majority can recommend that a bill be passed. Bills reported out of committee are placed on the calendar for debate. The bill is voted on and sent to the other house of Congress for consideration. Approved bills are sent to the president. Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law 4 SECTION NEXT

29. Actions of the president regarding a bill: sign the bill and declare it a law veto the bill and send it back to Congress hold the bill for 10 days, when it becomes a law or is killed by pocket veto Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law 4 SECTION NEXT

30. Question: What actions can the president take regarding a passed bill? Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law 4 SECTION NEXT

31. Question: What actions can the president take regarding a passed bill? Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law 4 SECTION NEXT

32. Why did the framers of the Constitution create a bicameral national legislature? What two methods does Congress have to deal with misconduct by its members? Who leads the houses of Congress, and how are these leaders chosen? Why is most of the work of Congress done through committees? What special powers does each house of Congress have? How do bills become laws? What can the president do with a bill passed by Congress? Chapter 5 Wrap-Up NEXT Wrap-Up