1. Legislative Branch
The House of Representatives
&
The Senate

2. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A. Representation
Total number of Representatives = 435
Decided by Population
The total number of 435 never changes, just the amount from each state
B. Terms
Terms are 2 years in length
All elected officials get 2 full years
Usually ¾ of the representatives are reelected
No limit on terms

3. 9th District Representative Sandy Levin
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
C. Qualifications
must be at least 25 years old
must be a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
must live in the state they represent
9th District Representative Sandy Levin

4. Gerrymandering
Definition: to divide (an area) into political units to give special advantages to one group

5. THE SENATE A. Representation B. Terms Equal Representation
2 Senators per State
Total number of senators = 100
B. Terms
Term length is 6 years
1/3 are elected every 2 years
Not all senators are up for election every 2 years
No limit on terms

6. THE SENATE C. Qualifications 1. Must be at least 30 Years of age
2. Must be a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years
3. Must be a resident of the state they represent
MICHIGAN SENATORS
Debbie Stabenow Gary Peters

7. Salary, benefits, Privileges
$174,000
Health Care for Life
Free office space
Free parking
Free trips to home state
Budget
Assistants
Office staff
Supplies
CONTINUED ON NEXT SLIDE

8. III. Salary, benefits, Privileges …cONT’D
Discounts
Haircuts and many more
Franking Privilege
Job related mail can be mailed for free
Immunity in some cases
Article I, section 6 “shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses and in going to and returning from the same.”
Can be expelled
Need a 2/3 vote from either house

9. Congressional Leaders
A. Speaker of the House
1. Member of Majority Party
2. Sets Calendar and Discussion
B. President of the Senate
1. President of the Senate is the V.P.
2. V.P. can only vote in a tie
3. V.P. is usually to busy to attend Senate
4. Pres Pro Tempore “for the time being”
5. Majority party person

10. VI. Congressional Committees
Committees research, discuss and revise bills
Too many bills for all of Congress to hear them
Types of committees
1. Standing Committees
Permanent that work on specific legislation
2. Select/Special Committees
Temporary for a special issue
3. Joint Committees
Combination of House and Senate Members
Chairperson – Leader of the Committee
Standing Committees • Examples: Agriculture, Armed Services, Budget, Foreign Relations, Veterans Affairs
Select Committees Examples: Terrorism in Benghazi, Intelligence Collection
Joint Committees • Examples: Economic, Taxation

11. Congressional pOWERS Congress has 3 Types Powers Expressed Implied
a power that is specifically listed in the Constitution
Implied
a power that Congress has that is not clearly stated in the Constitution
Non-Legislative
Other duties held by Congress
Expressed Powers: Examples: collect taxes, coin money, regulate trade, declare war, raise and maintain an army, and establish laws.
Implied Powers: Examples: In order to raise an army, Congress has the power to institute a draft. When regulating trade, Congress also has the power to ensure people aren’t being discriminated against when purchasing items and property.
Nonlegislative Powers: suggesting amendments, approving presidential nominees, and impeaching officials.

12. Congressional pOWERS A. Expressed Powers 1. Power to Tax
2. Power to Borrow
3. Currency Power
4. Bankruptcy
(these 4 also known as Power of the Purse)
5. The Commerce Power
6. Foreign Relations and War Powers
7. Addition Powers

13. Congressional pOWERS B. Implied Powers The Necessary and Proper Clause
States that Congress has the power:“to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing [expressed] powers.”
Example - In order to raise an army, Congress has the power to institute a draft.

14. Congressional pOWERS Non-Legislative Powers
1. Constitutional Amendments
2. Approving Nominations
3. Impeachment
House has sole power to vote for impeachment
Senate has sole power to conduct a trial on those impeached by the House