1. Congress – Day 1
Ms. Farr
U.S. Government

2. Warm-up (yes, warm-up) – 2/23/11
1. What are three facts you learned about the Congress yesterday?
2. Besides qualifications and terms of office, what are two additional differences between the House and the Senate?
3. What is one way this bicameral system helps to establish a truly representative democracy?

3. Vocabulary you will need...
Bicameral – two-house legislative body
Franking Privilege – allows members of Congress to transmit mail under their signature without postage
Seniority Rule – a system that gives the member of the majority party with the longest uninterrupted service on a particular committee the leadership of that committee

4. More vocabulary... Appropriation – approval of government spending
Cloture Rule – a procedure that allows each senator to speak only 1 hour on a bill under debate
Filibuster – a method of defeating a bill in which a senator talks until a majority either abandons the bill or agrees to modify it

5. More vocabulary...
Gerrymandering – to draw a district's boundaries to gain an advantage in elections

6. House of Representatives – basic info
Term of office: 2 years
Must be at least 25 years old
Must be a U.S. citizen for 7 years
There are 435 members in the House
Smaller constituencies – districts they represent are smaller than Senate
House seats are given on the basis of population

7. House of Representatives – unique powers
Chooses President if the electoral college does not produce a winner
Originates appropriations
Brings charges of impeachment

8. House of Representatives – other info
Gerrymandering would affect this house
Why?
The Reapportionment Act of 1929
Established permanent method for keeping a constant 435 seats

9. Senate – basic info Term of office: 6 years
1/3 of senators are up for reelection every two years
Must be at least 30 years old
Must be a U.S. citizen for 9 years
There are 100 members in the Senate
Larger constituencies – only two senators per state, regardless of population

10. Senate – unique powers Approves treaties Uses seniority rule
Chooses the vice president if the electoral college fails
Holds impeachment trials
Filibustering
Approves presidential appointments
Vice President is leader of Senate

11. Senate – unique powers Cloture rule is used in this house
Leadership determined by seniority rule

12. Senate – other info 17th Amendment
Established direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote

13. Congress – combined responsibilities
Overrides Presidential vetos
Franking Privilege – Allows members of Congress to transmit mail under their signature without postage
Proposes amendments to the U.S. Constitution
Checks to see that the agencies in the executive branch are working effectively

14. Congress – combined responsibilities
Determines Congressional salary
Makes laws
Serves on committees
Represent their constituencies