1. The Legislative Branch

2. A Bicameral Legislature
Bicameral = Two Houses
The Senate
The House of Representatives
Together they are the US Congress

3. Terms of Congress Two Year Terms Begin January 3rd of Odd Number Years
New Term Begins January 3rd, 2013
Terms divided into two 1 year Sessions

4. The House of Representatives
Currently 435 Members
Two Year Terms
All Representatives up for Election every Two Years.

5. The House of Representatives
Represent Districts from each State
Districts assigned by population
Redrawn after each census
Gerrymanderying!?!

6. Wisconsin Congressional Districts
Wisconsin Senators
Wisconsin Congressional Districts
Tammy Baldwin - D
Ron Johnson - R
Sean Duffy – R District 7
Paul Ryan – R
District 1
Tom Petrie – R District 6
Reid Ribble – R District 8
Mark Pocan – D District 2
Jim Sensenbrenner – R District 5
Ron Kind – D District 3
Gwen Moore – D District 4

7. House Leaders Speaker of the House: Most powerful
Picks Committee Leaders, Schedules Votes
Next in line for Presidency after VP
Majority and Minority Leaders
Majority and Minority Whips

8. The Senate Currently 100 Members, 2 per State
Each Senator represents his/her whole State
Six Year Terms, 1/3 elected every 2 years

9. Senate Leaders Vice President = Presiding Officer
Can vote in case of ties
President Pro Tempore: Ceremonial Position
Often the longest serving member of majority
Next in line for Presidency after Speaker

10. 234 Republicans 201 Democrats 53 Democrats 47 Republicans
Majority vs Minority
The Party with the most members in a chamber is the Majority Party
The other Party is in the Minority
House
Senate
234 Republicans 201 Democrats
53 Democrats 47 Republicans

11. Committees Detailed work of law making is done in committees.
Standing Committees: Exist permanently,
Each Committee deals with a specific area of Legislation: Agriculture, Defense Judiciary, Commerce, Education, etc
Select Committees: Temporary, created to deal with specific issues, Assassinations Budget Crisis, etc
Committee Chairmen have great power

12. Committees
Joint Committees: Both House & Senate members, conduct business of Congress
Conference Committees: Both House and Senate members. Work out differences between House & Senate versions of Bills

14. Powers of the Legislature
Expressed Powers: Article I.8, paras Things Congress is specifically able to do
Implied Powers: I.8.18, Necessary & Proper also called Elastic Clause
Declare War
Collect Taxes
Post Office
Coin Money
Create Courts
Etc

15. Limits on Powers
Article I, Section 9: The Constitution prohibits Congress from doing certain things
Prohibit Free Speech
Promote a Religion
Interfere with Worship
Bills of Attainder
Ex Post Facto Laws
Favor one State over other States

16. Removing Govt Officers
Two Step Process
Applies to President, VP, Cabinet & Judges
The House can Impeach (bring charges)
Then there is a Trial with the Senate as Jury
Requires a 2/3 vote to convict

17. Advise & Consent
The Senate has the power to Advise and Consent on Presidential appointments and Treaties signed by the President

18. Taxing and Spending
All Appropriations Bills (Taxes) must originate in the House of Representatives
Appropriations Bills cover a budget for a two year period (biennum)
Two Parts:
An Authorization Bill creates the budget, including projects like the Space Shuttle, and how many $$ are to be spent
An Appropriations Bill specifies how the $$ will be raised to pay for the budget