2. Legislative Branch of the United States Federal Government
The Federal Government is divided into three separate but equal branches
The Legislative Branch makes up one third of the Federal Government

3. Basic Information Powers described in Article I of the Constitution
Often called “Congress”
Assembles in the Capital Building on Capital Hill
Divided into two parts (bicameral):
House of Representatives
Senate

4. House of Representatives
Often called the “House”
435 voting members
Members are called representatives or congressmen
Representatives serve terms of two years
Representation is determined by population
California- 53 Representatives (most)
Tennessee- 9 Representatives
Wyoming – 1 Representative (seven states have only one representative because of low population)

5. Leader of the House of Representatives
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R)

6. Senate Upper house of Congress 100 members
Senators serve terms of six years
2 Senators serve from each state, regardless of population
California – 2 Senators
Tennessee – 2 Senators
Wyoming – 2 Senators

7. Senate Leadership President of the Senate Votes only to break ties
Is also the Vice President of the United States
President pro tempore
Officially, the highest ranking senator
Serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the Vice President
A position of honor but not necessarily of power
The “real” leader of the Senate is the….

8. Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid (D)

9. Tennessee Senators
Lamar Alexander (R)
Bob Corker (R)

10. Tennessee Representatives
Phil Roe (R) 1st district
John Duncan Jr. (R) 2nd district
Chuck Fleischmann (R) 3rd district
Scott DesJarlais (R) 4th district
Jim Cooper (D) 5th district
Diane Black (R) 6th district
Marsha Blackburn (R) 7th district
Stephen Fincher (R) 8th district
Steve Cohen (D) 9th district

11. Congressional Power Powers of the Purse Power to Tax
Power to Regulate Commerce
Power to Borrow
Power to Coin Monies
Power to control the Budget

12. Military Authority Power to Declare War
Only five declared wars in the history of the United States
The military has acted without congressional involvement over 125 times
Authority over the military is a primary responsibility of the executive branch
Invasion of Grenada

13. “Checks” over the other branches
Approves Presidential nominations
Federal judges (including Supreme Court Nominees)
Cabinet members
Head of Federal Agencies
Elena Kagan
Robert Bork
nominated and confirmed
nominated and not confirmed

14. Impeachments Power to impeach: The President Vice President
Federal Judges

15. Veto Override
Power to override a presidential veto with a supermajority (two thirds majority)
2/3