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Legislative Branch
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CONGRESS Congress is in charge of the Legislative Branch – BICAMERAL: Made up of two houses 1.House of Representatives - Representation is based on population 2.Senate - Representation is equal (2 per state)
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Qualifications and Terms
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Unit 11 W-T-L 1.Why are the qualifications for Senators more rigid than for the House of Representatives?
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Congressional Districts If a state has more than one representative, district lines are drawn. – Determined every 10 years by the CENSUS All districts must have the same number of CONSTITUENTS (voters).
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GERRYMANDERING: Drawing of odd shaped districts to skew representation. – This is gives one group of people (political party, race, socioeconomic status, etc.) an unfair advantage – This is illegal
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North Carolina Congressional Districts
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NC Representatives Senator Richard Burr Senator Kay Hagan Representative Virginia Foxx (District 5) Representative Patrick McHenry (District 10)
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Congressional Leaders The party with the most members is the majority party. The party with the least members is the minority party. Floor leaders: Chief spokesperson for their party Party whip: Keeps track of voting attendance and party loyalty.
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Write-To-Learn 2. Why are representatives encouraged to vote in favor of their political party?
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Majority Floor Leader: Eric Cantor Minority Floor Leader: Nancy Pelosi M ajority Whip: Kevin McCarthy Minority Whip: Steny Hoyer HOUSEOFREPSHOUSEOFREPS
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Majority Floor Leader: Harry Reid Minority Floor Leader: Mitch McConnell Majority Whip: Richard Durbin Minority Whip: John Cornyn SENATESENATE
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Congressional Leaders continued… Speaker of the House: Leader of the House of Representatives. – John Boehner (R) from OH According to the constitution, the vice-president is the leader of the Senate. – Joseph Biden (D) from CA President pro tempore: Day to day leader of the Senate. – Patrick Leahy (D) from VT » age 73, served 39 years
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Perks Franking Privilege Free trips to home state Great life insurance and medical benefits $174,000 salary (for regular member) – 193,400 for Congressional Leaders – 223,500 for Speaker of the House
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Punishments Expulsion – James Traficant OH 2002 James Traficant OH 2002 Censure – Charles Rangel NY 2010 Charles Rangel NY 2010 Reprimand – Joe Wilson SC 2009 Joe Wilson SC 2009
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Congressional Committees Discuss, research, and revise bills. – “Congress at work”. – 90% of bills die in committee 1.Standing: Permanent committees specializing in a certain area. Divided into subcommittees. 2.Select: Temporary committees formed to complete a task. 3.Joint: Members of both houses meet together. pg181
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Committee Membership Seniority system: Desirable positions are given to those members who have served the longest. Majority party has the majority on all committees.
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How a Bill Becomes a Law Where do bills come from?? – Grassroots – President – Special interest groups (M.A.A.D.) Only Senator/Representative can present
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Stepping Stone Project
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Stepping Stones You are assigned a step in the process of how a bill becomes a law Create a stepping stone that has a visual symbol of your step. – Some people may need to create several stones On the back of your stone, explain how your step works in your own words
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How a Bill Becomes a Law continued Step 1: Introduction – In the House of Reps., a bill is dropped into the “hopper” box and assigned to a committee. – In the Senate, a senator submits a bill to the clerk for a reading and committee assignment.
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How a Bill Becomes a Law continued Step 2: Committee Action – They can reject the bill immediately. – They can pigeonhole a bill. (Set it aside). – They can research and approve the bill. – They can change any and all aspects of a bill. Can add to it: – Pork-barrel appropriation (“bringing home the bacon”) – Riders – Earmarks
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How a Bill Becomes a Law continued Step 3: Floor Debates – Representatives in the house have a time limitation. – Senators can filibuster a bill. (Talk it to death). – Cloture: Limit the time senators may talk. Requires a 3/5 vote. Step 4: Voting – Must have a simple majority (51%) for the bill to continue Otherwise it dies
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How a Bill Becomes a Law continued Step 5: Sent to other house of Congress – Step 6: Committee Action (again) – Step 7: Floor Debates (again) – Step 8: Voting (again) Step 9: Conference Committee – Members of both houses meet to make a single version of a bill. Step 10: Final Vote – Both houses must vote to approve the final draft
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Step 11: Presidential Action A.Sign a bill into law. = Process is done! B.Veto a bill (reject). = Back to Congress C.Pocket veto: Take no action for 10 days. Congress is in session after 10 days = the bill becomes a law and process is done Congress is not in session after 10 days = the bill is rejected and process is done How a Bill Becomes a Law continued
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Step 12 (Sometimes) – If the president chooses to veto the bill, it goes back to Congress – They vote to decide if they want to override the veto and pass the law without the president’s approval Requires a 2/3 majority to override
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Step 11 (?) Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9 Step 10
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School House Rocks!! http://www.schooltube.com/video/89a42a68 66404f4baab7/Im-Just-a-Bill http://www.schooltube.com/video/89a42a68 66404f4baab7/Im-Just-a-Bill
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