1. CONGRESS Elections, Powers, Organization, & Functions

2. Begin the chart below based on what you currently know: What I knowWhat I want to knowWhat I learned

3. Objectives for this unit:  Describe organization of Congress  Analyze functions & powers of Congress  Discuss congressional elections

4. A Bicameral Legislature—Why?  The House  # of members:  How elected:  Term of Office  Requirements for job:  The Senate  # members  How elected:  Term of Office  Requirements for job:

5. Organization of Congress Leadership PositionsCommittees  House:  Speaker of the House— 3 rd in line for prez  Majority Leader Minority Leader  Whips  Senate  Majority; Minority Leader  Vice President  President Pro Tempore  Standing Committees-- permanent & based on policy areas  Subcommittees  Joint Committees— made up of both chambers of Congress, Conference Committee is an example  Select Committees

6. Know the Leaders Speaker: John Boehner Majority Leader: Eric Cantor Minority Leader: Nancy Pelosi Senate Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell Senate Majority Leader: Harry Reid Vice Prez: Joe Biden

7. Know your Representatives: Bob Casey: Democratic Senator PA Pat Toomey: Republican Senator PA Allyson Schwartz: Democratic Representative for this part of Montgomery County

8. Main Functions of Congress:  Representation  Lawmaking

9. Powers of Congress  Use your copy of Article II, Section 8 to identify the powers of Congress

10. How a Bill Becomes a Law ..\Copy_of_How_a_Bill_Becomes_a_Law.ppt..\Copy_of_How_a_Bill_Becomes_a_Law.ppt