1. We are learning all kinds of new stuff today!
Thursday, February 8, 2018
We are learning all kinds of new stuff today!

2. The Legislative Branch
Government Notes
The Legislative Branch

3. I. Congress’s two houses
A. House of Representatives: the voice of the people (chosen by popular vote)
proportional representation, based on population (each state gets at least one)
435 total members, 5 delegates, 1commissioner
qualifications: 25 years old, a United States citizen for at least seven years and an inhabitant of the state he or she represents.

4. 4. Two-year term
a. election always in even year
b. begin their term on January 3 of the odd year after the election
5. Party numbers in 2017: 240 Republicans, 194 Democrats, 1 Vacant
6. The Speaker of the House is the leader

5. elected from the majority party by the House
Republican Paul Ryan
7. the majority leader is the Speaker’s assistant (Republican party):
8. the minority party leader leads the party in the minority and keeps them together

6. B. Senate: represents the interests of entire states (originally chosen by state legislatures)
equal representation (2 from each state)
100 total Senators
qualifications: 30 years of age, have been a citizen of the United States for nine years, and, when elected, be a resident of the state from which he or she is chosen.

7. 4. Serve a six-year term, but elected in three classes
a. 1/3 in Class I up for election in 2018
b. 1/3 in Class II up for election in 2020
c. 1/3 in Class III up for election in 2022
d. election always in even year
e. begin their term on January 3 of the odd year after the election

8. 5. Party numbers in 2017: 52 Republicans, 46 Democrats, 2 Independents
6. The Vice President is the president of the Senate, only votes in a tie
7. The president pro tempore presides if v.p. not there
a. president pro tempore is elected by the Senate-often most senior from majority party

9. II. Express powers-the powers specifically granted in the Constitution
Also called “enumerated powers”
found in Article I Section 8 (of the Constitution)

10. C. powers over the economy 1. to levy taxes 2. to borrow money 3
C. powers over the economy 1. to levy taxes 2. to borrow money 3. to regulate commerce 4. to coin money 5. to punish counterfeiting

11. D. powers over defense 1. to punish piracies 2. to declare war 3
D. powers over defense 1. to punish piracies 2. to declare war 3. to raise and support armed forces 4. to provide a navy 5. to regulate the armed forces 6. to call forth the militia 7. to organize the militia

12. E. Other powers 1. to naturalize citizens 2. establish post offices 3
E. Other powers 1. to naturalize citizens 2. establish post offices 3. securing patents and copyrights 4. establish courts 5. govern Washington D.C.

13. F. elastic clause 1. the power to make any laws necessary and proper for Congress to carry out its other powers (a.k.a.-the “necessary and proper” clause)