1. Warmup Why do we need laws?
What kinds of things do you think we need laws to regulate?
Are there any laws we do not need?

2. Unit 4 The Branches of the American Government
Part I – The Legislative Branch

3. Bicameral Legislature
Called Congress
Primary job is to create laws (legislative role), but they also “check and balance” other powers of the 2 other branches…(non-legislative role)

4. Where Congress Works
Capitol Hill, Washington DC

5. What are the two chambers of Congress?
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate

6. US Senate: Upper House Term Length = 6 Years Term Limits = None
Requirements = 30 years old, 9 year citizen, resident of state they represent
Number of members = 100
Number per state = 2

7. Leadership in the Senate
Vice President
Tie break vote

8. House of Representatives
Term Length = 2 years
Term Limits = none
Requirements = 25 years old, U.S. Citizen 7 years, resident of district they represent
Members = 435
Number per state = depends on population

9. Leadership in House of Representatives
Speaker of the House
Directs legislation to committees
Leads floor debate

10. Other Congressional Officials
House and Senate Majority Leader
House and Senate Minority Leader

11. Majority and Minority Party Whips
Try to ensure everyone votes together

12. Total Members in US Congress
= 535

13. Constituents The people who are represented by a member of Congress
Senate = both Senators represent the entire state
House of Representatives = residents of their district (districts are drawn on the state maps)

15. Census Population Count Happens every ten years
Impacts the House of Representatives by redistributing a states representation

18. Who draws Congressional districts?
State legislature (General Assembly) – each district must have roughly the same number of people
PROBLEMS: What if a certain political party holds more power in the state General Assembly?

19. A fairly drawn, population based district…

20. Gerrymandering

21. Gerrymandering
Drawing a Congressional district to favor a particular party
-if a political party is found out to have gerrymandered districts, this is illegal!

22. Is it gerrymandered?

23. Purpose of Committees
To allow each house of Congress to handle the many bills they have…to see which will become laws

24. How are committee assignments determined?
Party leaders select who gets on which committee.
Consider preferences, expertise and party loyalty and seniority
THINK: How can this method of selection be positive or negative?

25. Seniority System Longer serving members get the better committee spots
i.e. Oldest committee member of the majority party is usually the committee chairperson