1. Unit 1
Preamble + Article One

2. Origins of Government Why do we have a government? -Protection
Political Philosophy
-People choose to be governed
-Need to feel safe and secure
-The people create the government
-The power of the government is derived from the people
-The people therefore can take that power away

3. United States Basic principles of US government -Limited government
Governments power is not absolute
-What limits our government?
-What are these limits?

4. Types of Government Republic…
a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.
Democracy…
a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
Autocracy…
a system of government by one person with absolute power.

5. Types of Government Monarchy…
a form of government with a monarch at the head.
Oligarchy…
a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.

6. Making the Constitution
Articles of Confederation
Problems
-No centralized government
-States too independent

7. Making the Constitution
Constitutional Convention 1787
Key issues
-State representation within the government
-Virginia Plan
-New Jersey Plan
-Connecticut Compromise
-Bicameral legislature
Restricting power
-Checks and balances
-Separation of powers

8. Ratifying the Constitution
Federalists
-Those in favor of the Constitution
-Wrote Federalist Papers
Anti-federalists
-Those opposed to the Constitution

9. The Legislative Branch
House of Representatives
Represents the people
-435 members
-Serves two year terms
-All 435 seats are up for election every two years
Each state is guaranteed representation
-Number of representatives is based on the state’s population
-Wyoming (least populous) – 1
-California (most populous) – 53

10. The Legislative Branch
Who can become a representative?
-At least 25 years old
-Must live in the district you’re running for
-Been a citizen for 7 years

11. The Legislative Branch
Oklahoma’s representatives -The state has five districts -Bixby resides in the 1st District -Rep. Jim Bridenstine

12. The Legislative Branch
Leadership of the House Speaker of the House -Leader; in practice is elected by the majority party -Presides over the House when in session -Has agenda setting power (what bills will be heard) -Major role in appointing committee chairs and members -Regarding as one of the most powerful and influential positions in the government -Currently held by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis)

13. The Legislative Branch
Majority leader
-Ally of the Speaker and assists in many of their roles
Minority leader
-Leader of the minority party
Whips
-Keep tabs on how representatives will vote on upcoming bills
-Acts as a go-between between the leadership and the rank and file
-Both parties will have whips

14. The Legislative Branch
The Senate
-Represents the states
-100 members
-Serve 6 year terms
-1/3 of the Senate is up for election every 2 years
-Each state has 2 Senators regardless of population

15. The Legislative Branch
Who can become a Senator?
-At least 30 years old
-Been a citizen for years
-Live in the state you wish to represent

16. The Legislative Branch
Oklahoma’s Senators Junior Senator James Lankford Senior Senator Jim Inhoffe -Both are elected by the whole state -No districts

17. The Legislative Branch
Senate leadership Majority leader -Elected by the majority party Minority leader -Elected by the minority party Whips (both parties) -Same function as in the House President pro temp -Senior member of the majority party Vice President -Constitutional leader of the Senate

18. How a Bill Becomes Law Step 1 – An idea
Anyone can write a piece of legislation; congressman, lawyers, special interest groups, YOU
Step 2 – Bill introduction (First Reading)
Only a member of congress may introduce a bill into their respective chamber

19. How a Bill Becomes Law Step 3 – Assigned to a committee Subcommittees
Will hold hearings and conduct studies
If approved, will go to full committee
If not, the bill dies
Full committees
Will amend, rewrite, or keep bill as is
If approved, will go to the full chamber (House or Senate; wherever it was introduced)

20. How a Bill Becomes Law Step 4 – Floor action (Second Reading)
Bill is debated and amendments are offered
Bill, with all changes and amendments, is voted on (Third Reading)
If passed, goes to the other chamber
If failed, bill dies
Step 5 – Introduced in other chamber

21. How a Bill Becomes Law
Step 6 – Assigned to a committee (in other chamber)
Subcommittees
Will hold hearings and conduct studies
If approved, will go to full committee
If not, the bill dies
Full committees
Will amend, rewrite, or keep bill as is
If approved, will go to the full chamber If not, the bill dies

22. How a Bill Becomes Law Step 7 – Floor Action
Bill is debated and amendments are offered
Bill, with all changes and amendments, is voted on (Third Reading)
If passed, goes to the other chamber
If failed, bill dies
Step 8 – Conference committee
Goes here if the two chambers pass different versions
Members of the House and Senate are on the committee
Make compromises on the differences
Bill dies if no compromises can be made

23. How a Bill Becomes Law Step 9 – Floor Action Step 10 – President
Bill goes back to both houses
If both houses pass the SAME EXACT bill, it is sent to the President
If one house fails to pass the conference committee, the bill dies
Step 10 – President
If signed by the President, it becomes law
If vetoes by the President, it is sent back to Congress

24. How a Bill Becomes Law Step 11 – Veto Override
Congress may override a veto with 2/3 vote in both the House (290 votes) and Senate (67 votes)

25. Influencing Congress Who influences Congress? Constituents
Interest Groups
Social Movements
Political Party
President
People being represented
One of the least influential
Uninformed about the day-to-day activities of their representatives
Very influential on controversial issues
Can not be ignored when they are well informed and are actively involved

26. Influencing Congress Interest Groups
Group who are trying to influence policy on a particular issue
Work within the framework of the government
Lobbying
Have influence due to who belongs to their group
AARP – Retirees
NEA – Teachers
AFL-CIO – Union workers

27. Influencing Congress Social Movements
Large body of individuals who believe in a common interest
Civil Rights Movement
Occupy Wall Street
Do NOT work within the framework of government
Usually represent those who feel they haven’t been heard in the past

28. Influencing Congress Political Party President
Party leaders cannot force members to vote a certain way
They do encourage
Money, position in leadership, favors down the road, etc.
President
“Chief Legislator”
Most effective when works as a facilitator

29. Congressional Campaigns
Overview
What is a campaign?
Organized effort to persuade voters to choose one candidate over another
Purpose of campaigns
To fill public office
To legitimize government
To ensure the government stays accountable to the people

30. Congressional Campaigns
Primaries vs. General election
Primaries
Voters decide which candidate will represent the party in the general election
Types of primaries
Open
All registered voter may cast a ballot in any parties primary
Closed
Only registered party members may vote
General
Voters decide which candidate will fill public office

31. Congressional Campaigns
Who wins?
Most elections aren’t close
2012 House elections – average victory margin was 31.85%
Incumbents
Those already holding office
Won re-election in over 90% of House and Senate races in 2012
Why?
Advertising
Credit claiming
Position taking
Weak opponents
Fundraising
Party identification

32. Congressional Campaigns…
Money
Average House campaign cost 1.6 million
Average Senate campaign cost 10.3 million
Coattail Effect
Boost for candidates from running alongside a popular President from their party
Reverse effects
Candidates will try to distance themselves if the President is from their party and is unpopular