2. CONGRESS: The Legislative Branch LESSON 8

3. Key items to know about the Congress… I.KEY ITEMS TO KNOW ABOUT THE CONGRESS  Most closely represents the people  responsible for making the laws  Bicameral legislature II: See table on next slide and your handout…

4. House of Representatives CATEGORYSenate Minimum 25 years old AGE Minimum 30 years old U.S. citizen for 7 years CITIZENSHIP U.S. citizen for 9 years Must live in state they represent RESIDENCY Must live in state they represent Apportionment based on state’s population (435 total) APPORTIONMENT (State Membership) Apportionment equal among the states (2 per state – 100 total) 2-year term TERM OF OFFICE 6-year term Speaker of the House PRESIDING OFFICER Vice President President Pro Tempore Requirements for membership EXTRA CREDIT: Who’s this guy? EXTRA CREDIT: Who are these people? EXTRA CREDIT: Who are these people? EXTRA CREDIT: Who’s this lady?

5. 1.AGE: Minimum 25 years of age 2.CITIZENSHIP: US citizen for 7 years 3.RESIDENCY: Live in the state the represent 4.STATE MEMBERSHIP: 1.1789/65 1995/435 5.Ratio of state pop. To national pop. Census 6.Gerrymandering- drawing district boundaries to in order to concentrate opponent and spread your strength. 7.TERM OF OFFICE: Entire House elected every two years. 8.PRESIDING OFFICER: Speaker of the House Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert Requirements for the House

6. Requirements for the Senate 1.AGE: Minimum 30 years of age 2.CITIZENSHIP: US citizen for 9 years 3.STATE RESIDENCY: Live in the state the represent 4.STATE: 2 per state 5.TERM OF OFFICE: 6 year term Staggered election 1/3 every 2 years 6.PRESIDING OFFICER: Vice President: Doesn’t attend any meetings President Pro Tempore: Selected to run senate in VP’s absence

7. Membership has its privileges… III.CONGRESSIONAL PRIVILEGES A.Substantial salary B.Travel allowance C.Free office space and funds for supplies D.Franking privilege: right to send official mail free of postage E.Freedom from civil arrest during sessions F.Freedom of speech on the floor Can not be sued for slander or libel Free to speak and debate. EXTRA CREDIT: Who’s this guy?

8. When does the Congress meet? IV.CONGRESSIONAL SESSIONS A.Meets in two regular sessions in a 2-year term B.Session starts on January 3 rd and continues as long as there is a need Beginning with the first Congress 1789-1791, Congress is numbered in order (2007-2009: 110 th Congress) 2007-2009: 110 th Congress

9. AIM: What are the Powers of the House and the Senate in our Government? Do Now: Who is our Representative in the House? Why do members of the House only get elected for two year terms?

10. Special Powers of the House of Representatives V.SPECIAL POWERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A.Start all revenue bills B.Bring charges of impeachment against federal officials C.Elect the president if the electoral college fails to give a candidate a majority

11. Special Powers of the Senate VI.SPECIAL POWERS OF THE SENATE A.Ratify treaties negotiated by the President (2/3 majority vote) B.Decide on impeachment trials (2/3 majority vote) C.Approve Presidential appointments (majority vote) D.Elect Vice President if electoral college is deadlocked

12. How a bill becomes a law… IDEA Bill goes to proper committee Bill goes to the committee of the other house Bill is considered by the entire house (majority wins) Bill is considered by the entire house Proposal by Congressperson from either house If approved… If it’s a REVENUE BILL, it starts in the House of Representatives If the bill PASSES, it goes to the President Pigeonholing: Most bills proposed (90%) are killed in committee Conference committee: Members “fine- tune” the bill and create a compromise bill

13. How a bill becomes a law… 1.If signed within 10 days, it becomes law. 2.If not signed within 10 days, and Congress is still in session, it still becomes law. 3.POCKET VETO: Not signed, and Congress is NOT in session, it’s dead. 4.If President vetoes bill, it goes back to the house it originated (started) in. 5.Congress may override Presidential veto with a 2/3 majority vote in BOTH houses. PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS

14. AIM: How do people have their issues discussed in Congress? DO NOW: Explain the process of how a Bill becomes a Law. List three actions a President may take when a Bill come across his/her desk:

15. How do you delay a vote on a bill? VII.FILIBUSTERING IN THE SENATE A.Purpose: A deliberate attempt by a minority Senator to delay a vote on an unfavorable bill  “talk a bill to death” May be returned to committee B.Cloture: A 2/3 majority vote can halt a debate  not used often

16. How do people have their issues discussed in Congress? VIII.LOBBYING A.Special Interest Groups: Political, economic, or social groups that attempt to pressure members of Congress into passing favorable laws

17. How do people have their issues discussed in Congress? B.Lobbyists: Politically experienced people employed by special interest groups 1.Actions used by lobbyists Meet with Congressmen and provide expert information Arrange parties, campaign funds, favors Urge public response

18. Pros & Cons of Lobbying PROS Right to petition Allows special interest groups to express opinions Call attention to the need of laws Provide valuable information CONS Questionable methods Well financed groups have an advantage over other groups Information may be one sided

19. In what other ways do Congressmen “bring home the bacon”? IX.OTHER CONGRESSSIONAL PRACTICES A.Pork Barrel Legislation: Members of Congress provide public works programs for their home districts B.Logrolling: Deal-making among members of Congress  trades for votes “You vote for my bill, I’ll vote for yours.”

20. How can some areas guarantee “better” representation than other places around the country? C.Gerrymandering: The process of dividing voting districts to give an unfair advantage to one candidate, party, or group Before 1964  Controlled by states Since 1964  Federal government determines congressional districts

21. Gerrymandering