1. The Legislative Branch Article I of the Constitution

2. Concept 2: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
Topics will include:
Breakdown of the US Congress
Qualifications/ Terms/ Compensation & Privileges of Congress
The Election Process/ The Impact of the 17th Amendment
The Legislative Process (Bill  Law)
Functions of leadership positions and committees
Influence of lobbyists and interest groups

3. Election Process of Congress
Congressional elections are held every two years.
House
Every member is up for re-election every 2 years.

4. Election Process of Congress
Senate-
The term of office for the Senate is 6 years
The body of the Senate is divided into three groups for election purposes (33/33/34)
That is how only 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election every two years

5. Election Process of Congress
Senate-
Once a group has gone through the election process, that group will not have to run for re-election for 6 years

6. Election Process of Congress
Example of the election rotation:
2014: group A ran for re-election- mid-term election
2016: group B will run- Presidential election year
2018: group C will run- mid-term election
2020: 6 years will have passed, so it will be time for group A again- Presidential election year

7. Impact of the 17th Amendment
Americans did not directly vote for senators for the first 125 years of our nation.
The Constitution, as it was adopted in 1788, stated that senators would be elected by state legislatures.

8. Impact of the 17th Amendment
17th Amendment (1913) established the popular election of United States Senators by the people of the states.
Impact of the 17th Amendment:
Citizens now voted for their senators- more democratic
Strengthened the link between citizens & the federal government