1. The Legislative Branch

2. Representative Democracy
What is the governments function in a democratic society?
Translating the public will into public policy in the form of law
James Madison call Congress “the first branch” of the National Government
Why?
First and longest article is devoted to Congress

3. Bicameral Legislature
Why did the founding fathers create a bicameral legislature?
Historical Reasons
Practical Reasons
Theoretical Reasons

4. Historical Reasons
British Parliament consisted of two houses since the 1300’s
Most of the Framers knew this system
Most of the States had already established bicameral legislatures

5. Practical and Theoretical Reasons
Needed to settle the conflict between the Virginia and the new Jersey Plans
What was this conflict?
Theoretical
Checks and Balances
Saw Bicameralism as a way to diffuse the power of Congress

6. Terms and Sessions Each term lasts for two years
First term began on March 4, 1789 and ended two years later
20th Amendment
What did you think was the purpose of the later start date?

7. Terms and Sessions Cont.
A session of Congress is that period of time in which Congress meets each year and conducts business
There are two sessions to each term of Congress
Congress adjourns each session as it sees fits
Neither house can adjourn without the consent of the other

8. The President has the power to prorogue
Has not been used
President may call Congress to special session
Can call Congress as a whole or individual houses
This power is not used much any more

9. House of Representatives Qualifications
Formal Qualifications
At least 25
7 years a citizen
Resident of the state in which elected
Informal Qualifications
College degree
Political Experience
Resident of District in which elected

10. House of Representatives
435 members of the House of Representatives
Set by Congress
Seats apportioned based on their population
Each state is guaranteed at least one seat
Serve two years
No limit on the number of terms they can serve

11. Reapportionment
Reapportion the seats in the House after each decennial census (10 years)
The Reapportionment Act of 1929
Permanent size 435
Following each Census the Census Bureau determines the number of seats each state has
When plan is ready it is sent to Congress
60 days to approve and for it to become effective

12. Congressional Elections
Held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year.
Off-year election:
held during nonpresidential years

13. Districts 435 Districts Single member District General Ticket system
Voters in each district elect its members from many different candidates running for the same spot.
General Ticket system
Elected from the state as a whole
This was done away with

14. Gerrymandering
1842 Law required each State to draw their own congressional districts
Continuous territory
Equal number of inhabitants
Compact territory
Gerrymandering
District drawn to the advantage of the political party that controls the state legislature
Concentrate opposing voters
To spread the opposition as thinly as possible

15. The Senate “upper house”
2 members per State which is set by the Constitution
100 members
6 year term
No limit on number of terms they can serve
Continuous body

16. Election of Senators
Originally, the Constitution provide that the State legislators picked Senators
17th Amendment (1913)
Senators elected by the voters of the States
Senate killed this amendment twice before passing it
Senators chosen at-large
By the whole state

17. Qualifications for Senators
At least 30
Citizen for at least 9 years
Inhabitant of State which elected
The Senate, like the House, judges the qualifications of its members
May exclude a member from the majority vote
May refuse to seat a member elected
May punish its members by majority vote

18. Congress as a Whole Five major roles Legislator
Representative of their constituents
Committee members
Servants of constituents
politicians

19. How do they represent the people? On what basis do they vote?
Trustees
Believe each question they face must be decided by merits
Conscience and independent judgment are their guides
Delegates
Agents of those who elected them
Vote the way “people back home” would want
Partisans
their views connect with the party
Allegiance to political party
Politicos
Combine basic elements of the first three
Balance their views, party views, and what the people want

20. Committee members Servants Screen bill proposals
Decide what will go to the floor
Over sight function
Check to see various agencies in the executive branch are working effectively
Servants
Help people who have various problems with the federal bureaucracy
Ex. Social Security, passports, small business loans

21. Compensation Salary Non Salary Compensation Special tax deduction
Generous travel allowances
Office in Senate and House building
Given money to hire a staff
Franking- privilege
Mail items without using postage

22. Help Wanted Ads
Create a want ad for both a member of the House of Representatives and the Senate
Include:
Qualifications
Responsibilities
Salary
Compensations
A Picture
Color

23. Presiding Officer HOUSE
Speaker of the House must be elected every two years
SENATE
Vice-President of the U.S. is assigned by the Constitution to be the “President of the Senate”

24. Special Powers HOUSE Brings impeachment charges
May choose the President if there is no majority in the electoral system
Must start all revenue bills
SENATE
Acts as jury in impeachment trials (2/3 vote needed)
May choose the Vice President if there is no majority in the electoral system
Must ratify treaties with foreign nations by 2/3 vote
Must approves Presidential appointments (majority needed)