1. The Legislative Branch: Congress

2. Unit Essential Question:
How can the lawmaking process promote the common good?

3. Lesson 1 Essential Question
What is the purpose/result of compromise in self-governance?

4. Structure of Congress Bicameral Congress Two Houses
House of Representatives
Senate
Connecticut Compromise
“Lower House”
435 Reps/2 year terms
Representation by Population
Constituents?
Census  Reapportionment
Gerrymander
House not Senate?
“Upper House”
100 Senators/6 year terms
1/3 elected every two years
Representation, 2 per State
Constituents
Look at the pictures. Which is the Senate?

5. Structure of Congress Terms and Sessions Two year terms
Two sessions per term
Terms Jan-Nov/Dec
Congressional Leadership
House
Speaker of the House
Committee Chairs
Senate
Vice President
President Pro Tempore
Majority Party v. Minority Party
House = Republicans (246)
Senate = Republicans (54)
President = Democrat

6. REPRESENTATION BY STATE in House of Representatives
Why would a map of representation, by state, in the United States Senate be pointless to show?

7. Pennsylvania Congressional Districts
Red=Republican
Blue = Democrat

8. Lesson 2 Essential Question
How are certain members of society, and of government, deemed adequate to lead?

9. The Committee System Standing Committees - Permanent
- Bill Jurisdiction
- House = 20 / Senate = 16
- Sub-Committees
- Typically 2-3 per congressmen
- Seniority/Reelection
Select Committees
- Special!
- Investigations/Studies
- Ex: JFK/MLK; 9/11; Benghazi
Joint Committees
- Both HOUSE and SENATE!
- Easily Flow Legislation
Ex. Joint Budget Committee
- Advisory Function
Ex. Joint Economic Committee
Seniority/Reelection
Majority Party Control
The Committee System

10. Qualifications Factor House Senate Age: 25 30 Citizenship: 7 years
Residency:
Must live in the state they represent.

11. Lesson 3 Essential Question
From where do governments get their powers and limits?

12. Powers of Congress Expressed Powers—Article I, Section 8
- Enumerated/Listed Powers
- Coin/Print Money
- Collect Taxes
- Declare War
Implied Powers—Clause 18
- “Necessary and Proper”
Elastic Clause
Increase Congressional Power
Interpret Constitution
Lawmaking Powers
Nonlegislative Powers = NOT making laws
Limits
- Bill of Rights
- Article I, Section 9
Writ of Habeas Corpus
Bill of Attainder
Ex post facto law
- Executive/Judicial Branches
- Powers Reserved to the States
Powers of Congress

13. Legislative or Nonlegislative Power?
Congress has the power to impeach federal officials.
Congress has the power to declare war.
Senate has power to approve or reject Presidential nominations/treaties.
House of Representatives selects President if no Electoral College majority is reached.
Congress may rule on whether the President is unfit, or incapacitated, to carry out the responsibilities of Executive Office.
Congress has the power to suggest amendments to the Constitution.
Congress has the power to pass laws by drafting, debating, and voting on bills.

14. CHECKS & BALANCES
1. What do you think is the purpose of having three branches of government that can “check” and “balance” the powers of each other?

15. Lesson 4 Essential Question
How can/do individuals and governments influence one another?

16. Congress at Work Primary Role Make Laws
Represent Constituent’s Interests
Casework
Constituent Aid
Federal “Red Tape”
Reelection!!!!!
Pork-Barrel Projects/Earmarks
District/State Projects $$$$
Attach to Bills for Federal Money
Lobbyists = Gov’t Influencers
Benefits
Franking Privilege
Immunity
Salary/Pension
Congressional Staffs
Reduce Workload
Draft Bills
Student Interns
Agencies
Library of Congress
Congressional Budget Office
Congress at Work

17. Lesson 5 Essential Question
Should the legislative process be easy or difficult (simple or complex) to better promote the common good?

18. Bill ---> Law Introduction Draft Bill House or Senate Origination
Committee Action
Specialize
Sub-Committee?
Committee Vote
Life or Death…Most Die Here R.I.P.
House  Rules Committee
Floor Debate
Discuss
Riders
Filibuster/Cloture (Senate)
Floor Vote
Conference Committee
House/Senate MUST pass same Bill
Joint Session
Presidential Action
Sign into law
Veto
No Action & Pass
No Action & Pocket Veto
Bill ---> Law

19. House Senate 1. Introduction Bill is suggested
Representative hands bill to clerk or drops it into the hopper.
Bill get an HR number
Senate
Senator announces bill on the floor
Bill given S number

20. House Senate 2. Committee Action Goes to House Standing Committee
Referred to House Sub-Committee
House Sub-Committee reviews, revises or recommends adjustments
Approved by House Standing Committee
House Rules Committee sets rules for floor debate.
Senate
Goes to Senate Standing Committee
Referred to Senate Sub-Committee
Senate Sub-Committee reviews, revises or recommends adjustments
Approved by Senate Standing Committee

21. House Senate 3. Floor Debate
Representatives debate and vote on passage.
Bill Passes
(1) Goes to Senate for approval
(2) Different Version passes and goes to Conference Committee
Senate
Senators debate and vote on passage
(1) Goes to House for approval
*Filibuster?

22. House & Senate 4. Conference Action
Conference Committee works out differences and sends identical bill back to EACH house to be voted on again.
HOUSE votes on Compromise Bill SENATE votes on Compromise Bill

23. President signs Bill into Law Congress Overrides Veto (Rare)
5. Presidential Action
Pass
President signs Bill into Law
Congress Overrides Veto (Rare)
President does not sign Bill into Law but after ten (10) days it becomes Law
Veto
President Vetoes Bill.
President does not sign Bill into Law but Congress adjourns before the ten (10) day period is up and Bill does not become law. (Pocket Veto)