1. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS (0-11 min)

2. Responsibilities of Lawmaking
Local versus National Needs
Represent constituents – the people he/she represents
Responsibility to nation
Political Parties
Party loyalty to bills – proposed laws
May contradict constituents’ needs
Mike Rogers, Michigan's 8th District

3. Responsibilities of Lawmaking
Interest Groups: groups of that work together for similar interests or goals
Supply money & votes
Lobbyists – people who represent interest groups
Can equate to political corruption
Factors in Decision Making
Values/Conscience
All the above factors come into play
Servants of the People
Provide help & information to
constituents when in need

4. Members of Congress at Work
Stretched in all directions; must know a lot of information
Utilized congressional staff
Link between citizens & representative
Administrative assistants, caseworkers, ect..

5. Representatives
number determined by census: official count every 10 years
Congressional districts – area represented
All districts must have same population (647,000)
Term of Office – 2 years

6. Senators Represent entire state – not just a district
Each state has 2; serve six year terms
1/3 of Senate members are up for election every 2 years

7. Added Information Requirements, Salary, & Benefits
House – 25 yr. old; Senate – 30 yr. old
Citizenship: House – 7 yrs.; Senate – 9 yrs.
2014 average salary: $174,000

9. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
THE POWERS OF CONGRESS

10. Powers Given to Congress
Promote the General Welfare – needs of everybody
Most based on regulating commerce (business)
i.e. slave trade
collect taxes & borrow money
final approval of budget– plan for raising & spending money

11. Powers Given to Congress
Providing for Defense
Establish & maintain an army
Sole power to declare war
Debatable: Is Congressional approval needed to send American troops into battle?
Johnson/Nixon & Vietnam

12. Powers Given to Congress
Establishing Justice
Create federal courts
Approval of Supreme Court appointees
Impeach (accuse) a government official
Unlisted Powers
Elastic clause – make laws that are “necessary & proper”
Nonlegislative Powers
Conduct investigations
How does executive branch enforce laws?

14. Limits on the Powers of Congress
Checks & Balances
Article 1, Section 9 – limiting citizens’ rights
Cannot take away writ of habeas corpus – power to be held indefinitely without evidence
Cannot pass bills of attainder – conviction without trial
Cannot pass ex post facto laws – punishing a person for an act before the act was made illegal.

15. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
HOW CONGRESS IS ORGANIZED (11 min-21.33)

16. Leadership in Congress
Senate: Vice President (Joe Biden) then president pro tempore (Daniel Inouye – HI -) Presides over Senate
House: Speaker of the House (John Boehner - R) Presides over House
Leadership determined by majority party
Majority Leaders
House –Eric Cantor – VA (R)
Senate – Harry M. Reid - NV (D)
Minority Leaders
House – Nancy Pelosi –CA (D)
Senate – Mitch McConnell-KY ®

17. Leadership in Congress
Speaker of the House
presides over sessions, deciding the order of business, and who may speak
appoints committee members/refers bills
President of the Senate – the Vice President
In charge of sessions, but does not take part

18. Leadership in Congress
Floor Leaders
Chief party officers
Guide bills in Congress; work with Committee Leaders
Whips – Assistant floor party leaders; persuade members to support
Republican Leaders – John Boehner – OH and Mitch McConnell - KY                 

19. Working in Committees Introducing Bills
Citizens, interest groups propose
Standing Committees – control a bills future - bipartisan
Study the bill
Hold public meetings
Propose changes
Chairperson is from majority party – decide which bills are studied

20. Working in Committees
Select Committees – (House) – deal with issue not addressed by standing committee
Joint Committees – Members from both House & Senate
Conference Committees – Senators & Representatives
Bill must pass House & Senate before President can sign
If it passes the House, the Senate may amend it & pass it
But the House may not like this version
This is when the Conference Committee comes in to settle differences

21. The President’s Role The President’s Role
Sign a bill; “law of the land”
Veto a bill – reject
Do not sign/veto; hold onto for 10 days while Congress is in session = law
Do not sign/veto; hold onto for 10 days when Congress ends its session = no law

22. The Simulation: Which political party are you?
Member of the House of Representatives or the Senate?
Who are you leaders?
Issue Overview
Clarifying the Issue

23. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
FOLLOWING A BILL IN CONGRESS (21.33 – end)

25. Following a Bill Stopping a Bill
Filibuster – long speech to prevent vote on bill (not allowed in House)
Cloture – agreement to end debate on bill; stops a filibuster
Requires 3/5 vote
Compromise Bills
Using Conference Committees to reform bill so it passes both Houses and/or gets Presidential approval

26. Following a Bill A Bill Dies in Committee
When a bill does not get support from the majority of a committee
Does not go on to House/Senate vote
Advantages of the Lawmaking Process
Must overcome many hurdles
Why? Probably is a good law.
Disadvantages