1. THE ORGANIZATION OF CONGRESS

2. Creation and Evolution
Framers AGAIN we worried about executive power
In turn, gave the Congress Legislative Power…or the power to make laws

3. BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE
MEANING TWO….(BI=2)
HOUSE= POPULATION
SENATE= EQUAL REPRESENTATION
WOW…WE DIDN’T KNOW THAT YET DID WE…WAIT THIS IS CALLED REVIEW

4. CONGRESS SESSIONS SESSION=ONE YEAR TERM=2 YEARS
STARTS ON JANUARY 3 ON ODD YEARS BY THE 20th Amendment

5. BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE
HOUSE REPRESENTS THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY (COMMON PEOPLE)
SENATE REPRESENTS THE STATES
(ELITE)

6. REAPPORTIONMENT Reapportionment Act of 1929
Every ten years-A CENSUS has to be taken…this is for the purpose of reapportioning seats in the HOUSE.
HOUSE WILL ALWAYS REMAIN AT 435 SEATS…
THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED ACCORDING TO EACH CENSUS

7. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTING
OR HOW TO CONTROL CONGRESS…
STATE LEGISLATURES PICK DISTRICT LINES…
IF THE STATE IS OVERWHELMINGLY ONE PARTY OR ANOTHER…THEY CAN CHANGE THE LINES TO SUIT THEIR NEEDS

9. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTING
MUST HAVE EQUAL POPULATION
SO ONE DISTRICT MAY BE HUGE, BUT BECAUSE IT IS RURAL…BE EQUAL TO A SMALL SECTION OF A BIG CITY.

11. GERRYMANDERING DRAWING DISTRICT LINES TO HURT A POLITICAL OPPONENT
“PACKING” CHANGING DISTRICT LINES TO PACK THE DISTRICT WITH ENOUGH OF ONE PARTY TO WIN
“CRACKING” SPLITING A DISTRICT SO THE OPPONENT’S SUPPORT IS SPILT BETWEEN TWO DISTRICTS

12. Members of Congress Salary – 27th Amendment Privileges and Benefits
– Franking
– Staff
– Medical and Retirement
– Protection from arrest or lawsuit while on the floor of
Congress
Punishment
– Exclusion
– Censure
– Expulsion

13. Membership in the House
Qualifications
– 25 years old
– Citizen of U.S. for 7 years
– Legal resident of state where elected
--Term of Office
– 2 years
– Elections in even numbered years

14. Membership of the Senate
Two From Each State
Qualifications
– 30 years old
– Citizen of U.S. for 9 years
– Legal resident of state where elected
Term of Office
6 years
Elections in even numbered years
1/3 up for reelection every two years

15. Members of Congress Characteristics Reelection Constant in the House
– Incumbent Advantage
Money – PACs
Name Recognition
Experience
Franking
Being a Congressman

16. REPRESENTATION One man one vote Baker v. Carr(1962)
Baker filed suit against Carr, the Secretary of State of Tennessee
Violated Equal Protection and the 14th amendment
Courts decided the States must redistrict
Courts were concerned with POLITICAL QUESTIONS (enmeshed in two branches of government), if a case is JUSTICABLE

17. POWERS OF CONGRESS A REVIEW
EXPRESSED POWERS
TAX AND SPEND
BORROW
COINING MONEY
COMMERCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
POST OFFICES
NATURALIZATION

18. IMPLIED POWERS EVERYTHING ELSE
NOT STATED IN THE CONSTIUTION…OR WRITTEN

19. NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS
IMPEACHMENT
HOUSE- BRINGS CHARGES BY MAJORITY VOTE
SENATE CONDUCTS TRIAL AND MUST HAVE A 2/3’s MAJORITY TO CONVICT

20. NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS
POWER TO PROPOSE CONSITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
2/3’s vote in both houses

21. NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS
POWER TO CHOOSE A PRESIDENT
SENATE COUNTS ELECTORAL VOTES
IF NO ONE PERSON HAS A MAJORITY…THE HOUSE ELECTS A PRESIDENT
USED TWICE WITH JEFFERSON AND JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

22. NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS
GIVING ADVICE AND CONSENT
APPROVING PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS
SENATORIAL COURTESY…THEY USUALLY ACCEPT EVERYONE.

23. NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS
INVESTIGATIVE POWERS
CONDUCTED BY COMMITTEES AND SUBCOMMITTES
CALLED OVERSIGHT OR WATCHDOG FUNCTION…THEY WATCH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING