1. Congress
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.

2. The Representatives and Senators
The Job
Salary of $174,000 with retirement benefits
Office space in D.C. and at home with staff
Travel allowances and franking privileges
What in the _____ is “franking”?
Free use of mail to correspond with constituents

3. The House of Representatives
Some Details
Total = 435
Apportioned by population
Serve for 2 year terms
Must be:
At least 25 years old
Citizen for at least 7 years
Resident of state s/he represents

4. The Senate Some Details Total = 100 2 from each state
Serve for 6 year terms
1/3 are up for election every 2 years
Must be:
At least 30 years old
Citizen for at least 9 years
Resident of state s/he represents

5. Congress Who are these people? Predominately: Well-educated
With prior experience in:
Law
Business
Education

6. Congress Who are these people? Disproportionately: White
Upper-middle class
Middle-aged
Protestant
Males

7. Congress So do they represent “the people”? Descriptive representation
Do they mirror personal characteristics of
“the people”?
Probably NO

8. Congress So do they represent “the people”? Substantive representation
Do they represent the interests of
“the people”?
and share the beliefs of a majority of their constituents?
Probably YES

9. Powers The Constitution
Includes specific Powers given to Congress by the Framers
These are known as “expressed powers”
Most are found in Article I, Section 8

10. Powers Constitution: Article I, Section 8
The Congress shall have Power To
lay and collect taxes
pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States
borrow Money
coin Money

11. Powers Constitution: Article I, Section 8
The Congress shall have Power To
regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States
promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive right to their respective Writings and Discoveries

12. Powers Constitution: Article I, Section 8
The Congress shall have Power To
declare War
raise and support Armies
provide and maintain a Navy
make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces

13. Powers Constitution: Article I, Section 8
The Congress shall have Power To
make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers
This is know as the “Elastic Clause”

14. Powers McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Supreme Court case that ruled Congress has “implied powers” in implementing its expressed powers (in this case, chartering a national bank)
From the Necessary & Proper Clause emanates “that vast mass of incidental powers which must be involved in the constitution, if that instrument be not a splendid bauble.”

15. Powers McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Also ruled that the “Supremacy Clause” in Article VI means federal laws “trump” conflicting state laws in areas in which the Constitution gives Congress power to act

16. Powers Non-Legislative Powers Oversight
Congress has power to review policies and actions of the Executive branch
May hold investigations
Remember Checks and Balances

17. Powers Non-Legislative Powers Amendment of the Constitution
Congress may propose amendments to the Constitution by a 2/3rds vote of both House & Senate

18. Powers Non-Legislative Powers Electoral
The House has the power to select the President if the electoral college cannot decide
The Senate has the power to select the Vice-President if the electoral college cannot decide

19. Powers Non-Legislative Powers
Impeachment of the President / Vice-Pres.
House brings charges (impeach)
Senate tries the case & acts as jury

20. Impeached Prez

21. Impeached Prez
Why was Clinton impeached?

22. Impeached Prez Why was Clinton impeached? Perjury
Obstruction of Justice
Abuse of Power
All related to
Monica Lewinsky

23. Impeached Prez
In June, 2008, a Congressman introduced a resolution to impeach President Bush . . .
contending that the president manufactured a false case for the Iraq war
violated U.S. and international law to invade Iraq
failed to provide troops with proper equipment
and falsified casualty reports for political purposes
Congress did not pursue the matter