1. Legislative Branch

2. Congress House of Representatives – Population – 435
2 year terms
Most direct relationship to a true democracy
Represent districts
Senate – Equal – 100
6 year terms
Helps protect the interests of the “few”

5. HOR – Leadership Speaker of the House Majority Leader Majority Whip
Elected by majority party
Presides over the house
Principal leader of party
3rd in line of succession
Assigns bills to committees
Helps assign membership to committees
Majority Leader
Majority Whip
Party discipline – proper
Minority Leader
Minority Whip

6. HOR – Powers Introduce Legislation Originates revenue raising measures
Sole power of impeachment, with trial, if required by senate
Approves by 2/3 vote any Constitutional amendments prior to state ratification

7. HOR Structure – Committees
Rules
Set rules for debate
Kill bill in committee
Can be over ruled by a discharge petition – 218 votes needed
Ways and Means
Oversees federal revenue measures
Has authority over borrowing money
Oversees Social Security
Oversees trade and tariff regulations

8. HOR Structure - Committees
Appropriations
Raising of revenue
Other…
Agriculture, Banking, Small Business, etc.
Select Committees – limited purpose
Joint Committees – combining members of both houses
Conference Committees – set up to resolve differences between houses

11. Senate – Leadership Vice President – President of the Senate
Tiebreaker – 50/50 – President of the Senate gets a vote
Least yet most important position
President Pro Tempore
Most senior member of majority party
Presides when VP is absent
Majority Leader
Elected by majority party
Works directly with the Speaker and POTUS
Majority Whip
Minority Leader
Minority Whip

12. Senate – Powers “Advise and Consent” – presidential nominees
Ratification of treaties by 2/3 vote
Tries impeachment cases
Votes on legislation
“Amends” legislation
Fillibuster
Cloture – 3/5 vote to stop filibuster

13. Senate – Committees Appropriations 16 standing committees
Chairman – senior majority member
16 standing committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, Forestry, Armed Services, Finance, Veterans Affairs, etc.