1. The Legislative Branch

2. Terms to Know Bicameral legislature Gerrymandering Bill Cloture
Filibuster
Lobbying
Pocket Veto
Resolution

3. Activity
On a sheet of paper, make a list of everything you know about Congress. Include anything you know about Congress’ role in history, the characteristics of Congress and how Congress functions today.

4. What are some characteristics of Congress?
Representation
House of Representatives: represents electoral districts
435 members
Senate: represents state as a whole
100 members
Separation of Powers
Congress is one of three coequal branches of government
The Senate and the House are equally powerful and often check on each other

5. Length of Terms Federalism
Representatives stand for election every 2 years
Senators stand for election every 6 years
Senate elections are staggered
Federalism
Congress is not the only legislature in the U.S.
State legislatures also wield considerable power

6. Critical Thinking
Members of Congress can serve unlimited numbers of terms if they are reelected. Is this consistent with the principles of representative democracy and limited government? Why or why not?

7. What are Congress’s Constitutional Powers?
Enumerated Powers
Article I, Section 8: Regulate Commerce with foreign nations
Article II: Must advise and consent when the president makes treaties or appoints ambassadors or other public officials
Article IV: Can admit new states
Article V: Can propose constitutional amendments

8. Implied Powers Inherent Powers
Create administrative agencies (IRS, Social Security Administration)
Inherent Powers
Power to Investigate

9. What are the limitations on Congress?
The Constitution prohibits Congress from the following:
Cannot tax exports from a state
Cannot grant titles of nobility
Cannot make laws that infringe on free speech or religion
Cannot impose cruel and unusual punishments

10. How does the House Represent the People?
In some states the state legislatures draw up district lines after each ten-year census
In other states, independent commissions draw the lines
Groups dissatisfied with the way districts are drawn can challenge them in court

11. Why is districting controversial?
Gerrymandering: drawing district lines to achieve favorable political results for one political party
Remains a fact of American political life

12. How do members of Congress serve their Constituents?
Communication
Letters, newsletters, media appearances, websites, town-hall meeting etc.
Casework
Helping constituents solve issues with the federal government
Helping constituents with personal favors
Serving constituents’ interests and concerns
Introducing/supporting legislation that will positively affect their constituents

13. Critical Thinking
Of the following 3 strategies, which do you think would be most likely to persuade you to re-elect your Congressman? Explain why.
1. Frequent positive media appearances and an up-to-date website
2. The granting of a personal favor
3. A track record of supporting legislation that you also support.

14. Passing a Bill: Terminology
Chamber: House of Congress (House or Senate)
Standing Committee: Permanent committees within the House or Senate that consider bills within a subject area
Subcommittee: Divisions of larger committees that deal with a particular subject area
Filibuster: Unlimited debate to halt action in the Senate
Cloture: A limiting of debate by legislature in order to get an immediate vote on the question being discussed
Conference Committee: A special joint committee appointed to reconcile differences when a bill passes the two house of Congress in different forms
Veto: A refusal by the President to sign a bill into law

15. Committee Examples Senate Armed Services Veteran’s Affairs
Foreign Relations
Finance
House
Agriculture
Budget
Education
Science
National Security

16. How a Bill becomes a Law 1. Someone comes up with an idea
2. A bill is introduced in the House or Senate
3. The bill is sent to the appropriate standing and subcommittees to be debated and amended
4. If the bill survives the committees, it is brought back to the full chamber for debate
In the House, debate time is limited by the House Rules committee.
In the Senate, filibusters are possible, but they can be ended by cloture
5. A vote is taken. If the bill passes, it is sent to the other chamber
6. The same process occurs in the 2nd chamber
7. If the 2nd chamber makes amendments, members of both houses meet in a conference committee to finalize the bill
8. The bill is sent to the President to sign or veto
9. If the President signs the bill, it becomes law

17. What options does the President have when presented with a bill?
Sign the bill into law
Veto the bill and send it back to Congress
Can be overridden by a 2/3rds vote or amended and sent back to the President
Refuse to act for 10 days while Congress is in session
Becomes law
Pocket veto the bill
Refusal to act on a bill when Congress is NOT in session after 10 days
Line-Item veto the bill (no longer allowed)
President can veto one or more provisions in the bill before signing it

18. Critical Thinking
Why do you think the line-item veto has been ruled unconstitutional? What valid reason might the President have for using such a power?

19. Where do members of Congress get ideas for legislation and information in deciding which bills to support?
The Executive Branch
President offers recommendations in “State of the Union” address
Constituents
Phone calls, faxes, s, letters etc.
Interest Groups
Interest Group: an organized group of individuals sharing common ideas who actively attempt to influence policy through lobbying
Lobbying: all efforts by individuals or organizations to affect the passage, defeat or contents of legislation

20. Who leads the House? Speaker of the House
One of the most powerful political figures in the country
Typically chair the Rule Committee (referred to as the “traffic cop”)
Sometimes the speaker represents his or her party more than the House as a whole
Appoint committee chairs based on their party affiliation

21. Who leads the Senate?
The Vice President acts as the “President of the Senate”
Only real power is to cast tie-breaking votes
Elected minority and majority leaders are informally elected

22. What role does Congress have in impeachment?
Impeachment: charging a public official with a crime while in office and bringing him or her to trial. Convicted officials are removed from office
House
Initiates impeachment by introducing a resolution to investigate.
Votes on whether or not official should be sent to trial
Senate:
Holds trial for impeached officials
Conviction requires a 2/3 vote

23. Case Study Activity Learning Targets:
Explain the influence of political parties in campaigns leading to elections
Explain how parties can experience advantages/disadvantages in elections
Evaluate candidates in a Congressional Election and judge their likelihood of winning.

24. Activity Directions
Group 1: You are writing a speech about why Dodge should win. Make sure to focus on Dodge’s positive attributes and/or Green’s negative attributes. Also, explain why Dodge is good for this particular district.
Group 2: You are writing a speech about why Green should win. Make sure to focus on Green’s positive attributes and/or Dodge’s negative attributes. Also, explain why Dodge is good for this particular district.
Group 3: You are writing a speech about why you are going to vote for Dodge. Make sure to explain who you are (what characteristics do you possess as a member of this district) and why Dodge is the right candidate for you.
Group 4: You are writing a speech about why you are going to vote for Green. Make sure to explain who you are (what characteristics do you possess as a member of this district) and why Green is the right candidate for you.