1. Congress Legislative Branch
Structure
Checks and Balances
West Virginia Congressional Members

2. Bellringer: What is the role of Congress in the system of Checks and Balances?
Congress checks the power of the executive and judicial branches:
1. Power of the Purse - approve spending using a bill that sets aside funds for a specific purpose, act called an appropriation)
C-Span Videos on 2018 Republican Tax Reform Bill:
2. Power of Advice and Consent - Senate gives approval of President’s treaties, Presidential appointments
3. Impeachment Power (charge officials with wrongdoing and hold a trial – House draws charges, Senates holds trial)
Impeachments: Andrew Johnson:
Bill Clinton:
4. Oversight (can hold hearings and force witnesses to appear Mylan CEO Faces Tough Questioning in Congressional EpiPen Hearing (3:04)

4. CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I, SECTION I
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

5. What is the PURPOSE OF CONGRESS?
Voters elect members of Congress to represent them and to enact laws for them.
Constituents are the people represented by Congress .

6. What is the STRUCTURE OF CONGRESS?
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) – Framers of the Constitution created Congress
Bicameral - 2 houses
House of Representatives & Senate

7. What are the characteristics of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ?
Qualifications:
25 years old
Citizens for 7 years
Resident in state he/she represents
Terms: 2 years (unlimited)
Elected by popular vote.
Members: 435
Leadership – Speaker of the House
Apportionment (distribution of seats based on population)
Census determines Apportionment  leads to redrawing of district lines in states to accommodate changes in population
Salaries: $174,000

9. What are the characteristics of the SENATE ?
Qualifications:
30 years old
Citizen for 9 years
Resident in state he/she represents
Terms: 6 years (unlimited)
(Elections are staggered. 1/3 of Senate up for election every 2 years.)
Elected by popular vote since the 17th Amendment.
Members: 100
Leadership – Vice President, President Pro Tempore

10. 115th Congress Congressional Profile
House Membership435 Members
Senate Membership100 Senators (Vice President votes in case of a tie)
Party Divisions 239 Republicans
Party Divisions 46 Democrats
193 Democrats
52 Republicans
0 Independents
2 Independents
3 Vacancies

12. Demographics of Congress

13. Who are West Virginia’s Congressional Members?
House of Representatives:
Senate
WV -
District 1
District 2
District 3
Congress.gov
House.gov
Senate.gov
2018 Midterm Elections
Current Members and District Map
West Virginia Secretary of State – Voter Info.