1. Article I
Legislative Branch

2. Section I Legislative powers are placed in the Congress
powers to make laws
Have two houses
Senate
House of Representatives

3. House of Representatives
Qualifications
Senate
must be at least 30 yrs. old
live in state rep.
Citizen of U.S. 9 yrs
House of Representatives
must be at least 25 yrs. old
live in state rep.
Citizen of U.S. 7 years

4. House of Representatives
Elections
Senate
2 per state
6 year term-1/3rd elected every 2 yrs
elected by direct vote- 17th amend.
House of Representatives
by population
2 year term
elected by direct vote-districts

5. Representation
Decided by population count that is done every 10 years - census
3/5ths comp. - slaves would be counted by 3/5ths for representation & taxation- no longer in effect due to 15th amend
In 1929 Congress limited the number of Representatives to which are divided among the states

6. Who can vote for Congressmen?
Originally qualifications for voting were left to the individual states
Changes have been made by 4 amend.
15th - race
19th - sex
24th- poll tax
26th - age (18 yr. old vote)

7. House of Representatives
Vacancies
Senate
the state governor will appoint a temporary senator until an election can be held
House of Representatives
the state governor calls an election to fill the vacant seat

8. House of Representatives
Other Facts
Senate
100 Senators
tries cases of impeachment
Vice President is President - votes only if tie
House of Representatives
435 Representatives
impeaches-bring charges against
House chooses a Speaker

9. Impeachment
Impeach means to accuse a government official of wrongdoing
House has sole power to do this-Senate then holds the trial
President, Vice-President, other officers of gov’t - but not members of Congress
2 presidents have been impeached = none convicted

10. Andrew Johnson Richard Nixon Bill Clinton
Only two presidents have been impeached none convicted. Nixon resigned before charges could be brought.
Andrew Johnson
Richard Nixon
Bill Clinton

11. Impeachment Trials Held by Senate
Chief Justice of Supreme Court presides if the President is on trial
Requires a 2/3rds vote of the senators present at the time of the voting to convict

12. Succession of Office of President
Vice-President
Speaker of the House
President pro tempore of Senate
Secretary of State
members of President’s cabinet in a specific order - 25th Amend.

13. Rules in Congress Must meet at least once every year - Jan. 3
Each house may refuse to seat a newly elected member if does not meet 3 req.
majority is used as the quorum
Senate 51
House 218
Congress can require members to be present to get a quorum

14. Rules (cont.) Each house sets its own rules and procedures
House imposes a strict limit on time a member can speak, but the Senate allows its members to speak as long as they see fit - fillabuster
Members can be expelled by 2/3rds vote of the members

15. Rules (cont.)
Each house must keep a record of proceedings - Congressional Record
Neither house can adjourn for more than 3 days without the consent of the other house
Neither house can move its place of meeting without consent of the other house

16. Privileges and Restrictions
Members cannot be tried or sued for anything they say on the floor of Congress or in congressional committees
Have some immunity from criminal arrest
Cannot hold other federal jobs while in office

17. Paid out of the United States Treasury
Salaries are set by law