1. U.S. Congress Chapter 10 & 12 American Government

2. Congress and the Constitution 1) Article ONE establishes the Legislative Branch (Congress) 2) Duty of Congress- To make laws for the United States. 3) Congress is a BICAMERAL (2 house legislature)

3. Differences between the US House of Representatives and the US Senate: HOUSE Total # 435 Basis population Largest California Smallest Wyoming Oklahoma’s 5 Terms 2 years SENATE 100 equality ? 2 6 years staggered terms

4. Oklahoma’s two U.S. Senators Senator Jim Inhofe Senator Tom Coburn

5. Oklahoma’s Congressional District # 3 Congressman Frank Lucas Includes Stillwater, Enid, Woodward. North central and Northwestern Oklahoma Oklahoma’s largest in area

6. Qualifications for Members: HOUSE 25 years old (+) 7 years US Citizen Resident of state SENATE 30 years old (+) 9 years US Citizen Resident of state

7. Other Important Differences… HOUSE Special Powers- IMPEACHMENT Presiding Officer- SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SENATE APPROVE PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE (VP)

8. LEADERSHIP OF CONGRESS HOUSE Speaker of House Majority Leader Majority Whip Minority Leader Minority Whip SENATE President of Senate President Pro tempore Majority Leader Minority Leader

9. Congressional Democratic Leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid

10. Congressional Republican Leaders John Boehner Mitch McConnel

11. Characteristics of Congressmen in the 112 th session. Over ½ had law degrees. 352 men in the House and 83 women. 83 men in the Senate with 17 women. Average age was 49. House 242 Rep. Dem. 193, 0 Ind. Senate 51 Dem., 47 Rep., and 2 Ind. Who is the majority party currently in each?

12. The Majority Party House-R Senate-D

13. The Committee System: Most work in Congress is done in small groups called committees. Each member is assigned different committees each session. Types of Committees: 1. Standing- permanent 2. Select- special, investigates 3. Joint- combines members of each

14. Standing Committees: Deal with the most important issues. 22 in the House 16 in the Senate Armed Services Education and Labor Homeland Security Committees Joint Conference Committee combines members from both houses to work on 2 versions of the same bill.

15. Party Politics: The majority party is the one with the most members and usually the most power. Bipartisanship- the two parties working together for the good of the country. Partisanship- parties fighting along party or ideological lines for political gain.(Rep. vs Dem, or Liber vs Conservative)

16. Congressional Sessions Begin Jan. 3 following the election year. Each session lasts 2 years. Are identified by number. The current one is the 112 th and began Jan. 3 of 2011, following the 2010 elections. The next one will 113 th session and begins in 2013.

17. 112 Congressional Freshmen

18. Review Questions: What is the duty or function of Congress? What is the basis for each states number of representatives? Name the qualifications for the US Senate? Who is the presiding officer of the House? How many Congressmen are in Oklahoma’s delegation?

19. The Upcoming Schedule: Wed- review, bill writing, party caucus Thurs- TEST 5 Fri- Congressional Simulation, Intro bills and work in committees Mon- Congressional simulation full house and senate debate/vote, homework on Executive Branch Tues- Congressional Simulation conclusion