2. Congress--the legislative branch of the federal government Senate House of Representatives

3. Senate Two from every state (regardless of population) rural and Republican bias? staggered six-year terms--why? --not so responsive to popular moods -unlimited debate--”filibuster” and cloture -Recently, “the nuclear option”

4. Specific powers of the senate approves treaties, federal judges, cabinet heads tries cases of impeachment

5. Senate leadership Majority leader Bill Frist Minority leader Harry Reid

6. House of Representatives Apportioned to each state, according to population, at least one for each state--total of 435 Two year terms --hence “close to the people” Constituent service Potential conflict: the interests of a district and the nation--”pork” More formal than Senate, also more specialization

7. California congressional districts

8. Powers specific to the House Introduce revenue bills Draw up and vote on articles of impeachment

9. Officers of the House Speaker Dennis Hastert if House majority party is different from President’s--is leader of opposition selects members of many committees and which committee a bill will go to and more Majority Leader John Boehner Minority Leader at present leader of the opposition--Nancy Pelosi

10. How a bill becomes a law Bill introduced, assigned name and number, printed assigned to a committee (or committees) most simply die there especially in the House, referred to subcommittee, has hearings there is a “mark-up” and then a report for the full chamber

11. cont’d in House receives a “rule” concerning amendments and debate goes to the floor for debate and vote goes to conference committee to reconcile versions returns to both chambers for final vote president signs