1. The National Legislature

2. “All legislative power herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.”
Article I Section I

3. Bicameral Congress
1. Historical – British parliament has had two houses since the 1300s.
2. Practical – settled conflict between the Virginia and New Jersey plans

4. 3. Theoretical- two houses limits congressional power to dominate the other branches.

5. Terms of Congress Each term lasts two years.
The new term begins “noon of the third day of January”

6. Sessions Congress meets for two sessions each term 1 session per year
Adjourn- suspend Congress until the next session

7. Both houses recess for short periods during the year.

8. Special Sessions
The President can call special sessions to deal with an emergency situation.

9. https://mulvaney.house.gov/contact-me

10. http://lgraham. senate. gov/public/index. cfm. FuseAction=Contact