1. Unit 4
Legislative Branch

2. Branches of Government
Legislative, executive, and judicial powers of the national government are distributed among three distinct and independent branches of government.
Article I of the U.S. Constitution establishes the legislative branch of government
The legislative branch is responsible for making the laws of the nation.

3. II. Make up of the Federal Legislative Branch -
Congress is a Bicameral legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate
1. U.S. Senate
Each state Represented Equally – 2 members per state = 100 members
Serve 6 year terms in office
Able to serve multiple terms in a row
Senate is headed by the Vice President and the President Pro Tempore

4. Mike Pence - Vice President
Orrin Hatch - Pres Pro Temp

5. II. Make up of the Federal Legislative Branch
2. House of Representatives
Each state's representation based on population = 435 total members
Serve 2 Year terms in office
May serve multiple terms
Headed by the Speaker of the House

6. Paul Ryan - Speaker of the House
Most senior Officer of the House
Presides over debates
Makes rulings on points of order
Sets the house agenda

7. III. Functions of the Federal Legislative Branch
Makes the laws of the nation
Approves the annual budget
Confirms presidential appointments
Raises revenue through taxes and other levies
Regulates interstate and foreign trade
Declares war

8. IV. Types of Legislative Power
Article 1, section 8
Expressed (powers specifically listed in the Constitution which include);
Collect Taxes
Print and Coin money
Declare War
Establish Post offices and roads
Regulate foreign and interstate trade
Create and maintain military

9. IV. Con’t
Implied Powers (Used to carry out the expressed powers) - Implied powers include all powers given to Congress that are not specifically listed in the Constitution, including;
Powers given to Congress that are not specifically listed in the Constitution
The last clause of Article I, Section 8 states that Congress shall have the power to make “all laws deemed necessary and proper” to the execution or carrying out of their Expressed Powers
Known as the “Elastic Clause” or “Necessary and Proper Clause”

10. IV. Con’t Article I, Section 9 Powers Denied to Congress
The formal powers of Congress are limited by the Constitution of the United States