1. Congress: The Legislative Branch
Chapter 5
Congress: The Legislative Branch
Congress, consisting of the House of Representatives & the Senate, exercises its powers by passing legislation, representing the people, & checking the power of the other branches of gov’t.

2. I.Congress & The People Representing the people Members of Congress
Constituents: People who live within a specific geographic area
Members of Congress
Mid-50s, Wealthy, white, male
The House of Representatives
Apportionment: Distribution of House seats among states based on population.
The Senate
Originally elected by state legislatures, now by the state’s people.

3. II. Congress & Checks & Balances
Power of the Purse
Power to approve all spending by fed. gov’t.
Appropriation: Bill that sets aside funds for a specific purpose.
Power of Advice & Consent
Senate must agree to treaties and appointments of ambassadors, federal judges, and Supreme Court justices.
Impeachment Power
Impeachment: Charge officials in the executive or judicial branches with wrongdoing & bring them to trial

4. I. Membership in the House
Formal Qualification
At least 25 yrs. Old
U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
Resident of state representing.
Informal Qualifications
Voter Appeal
Raise money
Military/Celebrity background

5. II. Reapportionment & Redistricting
Seats are redistributed among the states based on the census.
Gerrymandering
Drawing district boundaries for political advantage.

6. III. Leadership in the House
Speaker of the House
Most powerful member of the House & member of majority party.
Floor Leader
Manages the actions & strategy of the party, assistant to Speaker.
Whips
Encourage fellow party members to vote as the party leaders want.
Party Caucus
Meeting of all the House members from a particular political party.
House Rules
Create any rules to carry out business.

7. IV. The Role of Committees
Standing Committees
Select Committees
Joint Committees

8. I. The Senate & its Membership
Formal Qualifications
At least 30 yrs. Old
U.S. citizen at least 9 years
Resident of the state representing
Election of Senators
State legislatures
1913: 17th Amendment
Direct popular election
Informal Qualifications
Older, wealthier, “millionaires’ club”
16 women, 1 A.A., 2 Asians, 2 Hispanics

9. III. Senate Committees & Tradition
Senate committees: Similar to the House
Filibuster
Opponents of a measure refuse to stop talking in order to prevent a vote.
Cloture
2/3 vote could end a filibuster.

10. Presidential Action on a Bill
Sign a bill into a law
Not sign for 10 days & becomes law.
Pocket Veto: President doesn’t sign a bill & session of Congress ends killing bill.
Veto a bill.

11. Chapter 8: The Federal Courts & the Judicial Branch
The United States has a three-tiered national court system, with the Supreme Court at the top, which operates alongside the court systems of the states.

13. I. Jurisdiction Jurisdiction Exclusive Jurisdiction
Authority to hear & decide a case.
Exclusive Jurisdiction
Sole right to hear a case.
Concurrent Jurisdiction
Fall under both state & federal jurisdiction.
Plaintiff: Making legal complaint
Defendant: Complaint filed against.
Original Jurisdiction
Court that hears case first.
Appellate Jurisdiction
Case heard on appeal.

14. I. Supreme Court Procedures
Term Begins: October till June or July.
Selecting Cases
Writ of Certiorari: Order seeking review of the lower court case.
Docket: List of cases to be heard (Usually 100 per term)
Briefs & Oral Arguments: Written positon by both sides & 30 minutes of oral presentation with questions from the justices.
Opinions
Majority Opinion: Signed by at least 5 of the 9 judges.
Concurring Opinions: Agree with majority but have other points to make.
Dissenting Opinions: Minority of judges who didn’t agree with the ruling.

15. II. Highlights of Supreme Court
The Marshall Court
Expansive view of court power, Marbury v. Madison, McCulloch v. Maryland, Gibbons v. Ogden
Dred Scott
Scott sued for freedom after living in IL. Court said he was still a slave.
Reconstruction to Plessy
Civil war amendments strictly interpreted, Plessy v. Ferguson was “separate but equal”
Court & The New Deal
Struck down many of Roosevelt’s plans & FDR tried “court packing”
1950s to present
Brown v. Board ended segregation, Miranda v. Arizona