1. The National Legislature
Congress
The National Legislature

2. Representative Democracy
Congress creates public policy, or laws.
Article 1, Section 1: All legislative Powers shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

3. Why a Bicameral Congress?
Framers were familiar with British Parliament, which had two houses (House of Lords, House of Commons)
Most of the colonial assemblies were bicameral
Framers had to settle the differences between the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan
Checks and Balances
The Federalist No. 51: “In a republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates. The remedy for this inconveniency is to divide the legislature into different branches.”

4. Senate States are co-equal Wyoming population: 583,000 2 Senators
California population: 38.8 million
Discussion: Does it matter that citizens are not equally represented in the Senate?

5. House of Representatives
Wyoming, Delaware, Vermont, North Dakota, South Dakota, Alaska, Montana: 1 representative each
California – 53 representatives
435 representatives total (fixed number)

6. Terms of Congress Terms are 2 years and are numbered consecutively
First term started March 4, 1789
Current term began January 3, 2015 – 114th Congress (though didn’t meet until January 6th)
Term ends at noon of January 3rd of every odd-numbered year
So the 115th Congress will begin January 3, 2017, at noon

7. Sessions Session is when Congress meets and conducts business
20th Amendment, Section 2: “The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3rd day of January unless they shall by law appoint a different day.”
Each Congress has two sessions – one session each year
Congress will take several recesses throughout the year
Neither house may adjourn, or suspend until the next session, without the consent of the other house
If houses cannot agree on a date to adjourn, the President may prorogue – discontinue – a session, though that power has never been used

8. Special session A meeting to deal with an emergency situation
Only the President has the power to call a special session
President has the power to call only one house into special session
Ex. Senate called to consider treaties or appointments
Special sessions unlikely now that Congress meets nearly year-round, but President often threatens it if Congress doesn’t take action

9. Meet your senators Barbara Boxer Democrat
75 years old, serving as U.S. Senator since 1993
Not seeking re-election in 2016

10. Meet Your Senators Diane Feinstein Democrat
82 years old (currently the oldest serving Senator), serving in the U.S. Senate since 1993
Previously served as Mayor of San Francisco

11. Meet your representative
Doris Matsui
Democrat representing parts of Sacramento and Yolo Counties
Replaced her husband as Sacramento-area representative after his death in 2005

12. Meet your representative
Ami Bera
Democrat represents parts of Elk Grove, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova
Has served in the House of Representatives since 2013

13. Meet your representative
John Garamendi
Democrat representing counties Sacramento, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Glenn, Lake, Solano, and Yolo
Serving since 2009
Previously served at California Lt. Governor