2. The Legislative Branch
Room 272
Goes to Washington
The Legislative Branch

3. Two Houses of Congress
Bicameral for a reason a.  Check and balance each other – keeps Congress from passing laws in haste or unwanted by people

4. House of Representatives
435 members called “representatives”
Representation based on each states population, get at least 1
1911 Congress limited size to 435 members total
Wyoming has 1 member of the house
Population=544,270

5. How Membership is Divided
Seats are apportioned – distributed based on yr census
Congress distributes seats among states based on population
Pop. of state  - less representatives, pop.  - more rep.
Total number can never exceed 435

6. How Membership is Divided

7. Congressional Districts
Each representative is elected from a district
State legislature is responsible for dividing up state with equal population in regards to the number of seats in the House
Gerrymandering – making district lines in favor of a political party – often results in oddly shaped districts.

8. Congressional Districts
Gerrymandering

10. Electing Representatives
Elections in November of even years (2006,2008,2010,2012,2014,2016)
2 year terms
Special election if death or resignation of representative by that state
No limit to number of terms in office – as result of Supreme Court

11. Senate Every state gets 2 representatives called Senators
Senate has 100 members – 2 per state (50 states)

12. Senate
Senators elected for 6 year terms a. November elections of even years
(2004,2006,2008,2010) b. 1/3 rotate every election year (2/3 w/ prior experience) c. Senior Senator is one that has been there longest d.  Special election if death or resignation of representative
by that state or governor of that state appoints someone until election
No limit to number of terms in office – as result of Supreme Court

13. Qualifications of Members
House of Representatives a. 25 yrs old b. 7 yrs a US Citizen c. Legal citizen of state represented
Senators a. 30 yrs old b. 9 yrs a US Citizen c. Legal citizen of state represented

14. Salary and Benefits Yearly salary of $174,000.00
27th Amendment allows Con. to raise pay rate for Rep. and Sen.
Get money to pay office staff
Speaker of the house makes $223,000 a year

15. Salary and Benefits Free trips to home states
Franking privilege – mail official letters free of charge
Cannot be arrested in route to or from a meeting (unless serious crime)
Congressional Immunity – legal protection so they can not be interfered with while working
Cannot be sued while speaking in office (speak freely while on floor)

16. Rules of Conduct
Expulsion can occur if treason (betraying or endangering one’s country) or conduct unbecoming of Congress
Censure – less serious offence – member must stand in front of House or Senate and listen to charges

17. The Legislative Branch

18. Republicans vs. Democrats
Established In 1854
Also called the GOP
Grand Old Party
Conservative
Value traditional ideals
Prefer freedoms and democracy
Prefer limited government role in social and economic life
Democrats
Established in 1792
Longest standing political party in world
Favor lower taxes and more government role in daily lives
Favor equality among all people
Favor social reform and international cooperation in foreign affairs

19. How Congress is Organized
Congress of 2016 is ……..
114th Congress

20. Terms and Sessions Regular sessions(meetings) in each term of Congress
1st begins January 3 in the odd-numbered years following election
2nd begins January 3 of next year

21. Terms and Sessions
Sessions usually last January to September, but lately longer
Both houses agree on date to adjourn
President of U.S. can call Congress to special session for important issues
President can call just one house
House and Senate can meet together – joint session

22. Organization 3 Main Congressional Officers Speaker of the House
Paul Ryan (R)
V.P. as head of Senate
Mike Pence(R)
Senator to preside for V.P. absence (Pres. ProTempore)
Orin Hatch (R)

23. Political party with more members on Congress
Majority Party
Political party with more members on Congress
Senate – Republicans
(52) Rep
House – Republicans (241)

24. Political party with less members in Congress
Minority Party
Political party with less members in Congress
Senate – Democrats (46)
Independent (2)
House – Democrats (194)

25. Leaders of the House
Speaker of the House – presiding officer of House (Paul Ryan)
Most powerful officer – no representative can speak until called upon
Earns $223, per year
Speaker is member of majority party
Floor Leader – guides proposed laws through Congress
Majority leader is leader of “bigger” party - $193, per year
Minority leader is leader of “smaller” party - $193, per year

26. Leaders of Senate V.P. is head of Senate
V.P. is not a Senator, so cannot vote unless tie
President pro tempore – fills in when V.P. cannot be at meetings (Orin Hatch rep. Utah)
Customarily the longest active member of majority party

27. How a Bill
becomes
a Law

30. The Legislative Branch
The Powers of Congress

31. Congress
House of
Representatives
Senate
East Front

33. Most important responsibility
The Powers of Congress
Most important responsibility
Make Laws

34. Powers Granted to Congress
Article 1, Section 8 of Constitution
outlines powers

35. Powers Granted to Congress
Delegated powers – powers delegated for Congress only
Financing Government – raise and collect taxes, coin money
Regulating and Encouraging U.S. Trade and Industry – establish Post Offices, regulate trade, builds roads, protects ships at sea
Defending the Nation – declare war and maintain armed forces
Enforcing Laws – enforce counterfeiting and treason, establish court system
Providing for Growth – govern U.S. territories, regulate immigration and naturalization

36. Implied Powers Implied powers – powers Congress stretches to include
Set up training facilities for armed forces, set minimum wage
Article 1, Section 8 – allows Congress to “stretch” and make laws regarding their powers
Also called “the necessary and proper clause”

37. Power to Impeach
Accuse high officials of serious crimes against nation and have trial
Treason – an act that betrays or endangers one’s country
Steps in Impeachment
Charges drawn up and read in House
Representatives vote
2/3 majority = accusation (impeachment)
Trial held in Senate
V.P. acts as judge unless Pres. is on trial
Senate vote guilty or not (2/3)
17 Federal officials have been impeached
3 Presidents – All three not guilty
35 total impeachment attempts

38. Special Powers House of Representatives Start impeachment process
All bills for raising $ start here
House can choose Pres. if not enough Electoral College vote

39. Special Powers Senate Hold impeachment trials
Treaties and written agreements must be 2/3 approved and signed here
Certain high officials appointed by Pres. must get approval

40. Limits on Powers
Supreme Court decides when Congress “over-stepped” powers
10th amendment – power given to states (marriage, education, elections)

41. Limits on Powers
Article 1, Section 9 of Constitution says what cannot do:
Passing Ex Post Facto Laws – law that applies to an action after it took place (“grand fathered”)
Passing Bills of Attainder – law that sentences a person to jail without trial
Suspending the Writ of Habeas Corpus – having the accused brought to court to determine if there is enough evidence for prosecution
Taxing Exports – cannot tax goods going to other countries

42. Limits on Powers Passing Laws Violating the Bill of Rights
Favoring Trade of Senate – giving states unfair trade advantage
Granting Titles of Nobility – no Noble class
Withdrawing $ without a Law – must say why using $

43. Other Roles of Congress
Helping Constituents – serve interests of people living in home states and districts
Conducting Investigations – Either house may investigate issues and make laws regarding the issues (ex. Copyright infringements with Napster)

44. Terms and Sessions