1. Section 1 The House and Senate Section 2 How Congress is Organized Section 3 Powers of Congress Section 4 How a Bill Becomes a Law

2.  Section 1

3.  Congress is the law making body of the federal govt.  The Constitution clearly states the Congress shall be composed of 2 Houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.  This was done to make sure large and small states were represented fairly.  The system is referred to as a Bicameral Legislature.

4.  According to the Constitution the number of representatives for each state is based on population. (D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam have one nonvoting member).  Each state has a representative for every 30,000 people. Congress has had to limit its number at 435 total members.  Every 10 years a census is taken to determine how the seats will be apportioned/distributed.  B/c of changes in population a state’s numbers of representatives may increase or decrease.

5.  Voters elect representatives based on the congressional district in which they live. The districts are determined by each state legislature.  These boundaries/district lines must be drawn so each is represented equally.  Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing the district lines which favor a political party, politician, or group of people.  All representatives are elected for a 2yr term. If the member dies or resigns before the end of their term the governor will appoint a replacement.

6.  Each state is represented by 2 Senators regardless of their population.  There are 100 Senator total.  Each is elected to a 6yr term. Only 1/3 rd of the membership comes up for reelection every 2 yrs. This ensures 2/3 rd of the Senators have previous experience.  If a Senator dies or resigns before the end of their term the governor will appoint a replacement.

7.  There are certain requirements each members must meet in order to hold office in the House of Reps.:  1.Must be at least 25yrs old.  2.Been a citizen of the U.S. for at least 7 yrs.  3.Be a legal resident of the state which you represent

8.  There are certain requirements you must meet in order to hold an office in the Senate:  1.Must be at least 30 yrs old.  2.Have been a citizen of the U.S. for 9 yrs.  3.Be a legal resident of the state which you represent.

9.  Each member of Congress receives a yearly salary of $165,200.  Each member has immunity or legal protection. This ensures that members of Congress are not unnecessarily kept from performing their duties.

10.  Both Houses have the right to decide who shall be seated as members. They may question the qualifications of new members.  The Supreme Court can review Congress’s decision but rarely refuses to seat one of the members.  Both houses have passed codes of conduct which establish limits to the amount of income each member may earn and requires each member make a list which provides full disclosure of their personal finances.

11.  A person accused of a serious violation may face Expulsion-give up their seat in Congress.  Less serious offenses may lead to a vote of censure-formal disapproval of a member’s actions.  A censured member must stand alone at the front of the House or the Senate and listen as the charges are read against them.  In our history 9 Senate and 22 House members have been censured.

12.  Section 2

13.  Under the 12 th Amendment a term of Congress begins at noon on January 3 of each odd-numbered year.  The Constitution requires Congress to meet at least once a year. So it is divided into 2 sessions one for each year of term.  When both houses finish their work the adjourn and the session is ended.  The Pres may call Congress back for a special session.  Occasionally both houses meet in what is known as a joint session. Ex: The state of the Union address each January.

14.  The Constitution has 3 rules about how its organized.  1.The House of Reps. Must pick a residing officer.  2.It names the Vice Pres as Pres of the Senate.  3.It calls for a Senator to preside for the Vice Pres when they are absent.

15.  Each house meets privately in meetings known as Caucuses. Republican’s and Democrat’s in each house must choose their leaders.  The political party w/ the highest numbers of seats are known as the Majority Party and the party w/ the least amount of seats in known as the Minority Party.

16.  The Vice Pres doesn’t reside over the Senate on a daily basis.  Instead the Majority Party picks a president pro tempore (for the time being).  Each party has floor majority leader (pick in caucuses) and a minority leader.  Each party is assisted by a whip-to count votes, encourage party loyalty, and ensure that the party members are present for important votes.

17.  The Senate has about 22 Committees that consider legislation and hold hearings.  Each Committee has one or more Subcommittees which consider legislation before its taken up to the full Committee.  Each Committee and Subcommittee has a chairperson.

18.  The presiding officer of the House of Reps is known as the Speaker of the House.  The speaker is always a member of the Majority Party and is the most powerful officer in the House.

19.  The Committee structure in the House is generally the same as the structure in the Senate.  The House has about 2 dozen Committees and Subcommittees.

20.  Section 3

21. Delegated Powers  Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution lists all of the delegated powers to Congress.  Financing the govt.- allows congress to finance the federal govt. EX. defense, govt. programs, raise and collect taxes, borrow money, and print and coin money.

22.  Regulating and Encouraging Trade and Industry- Helps businesses by regulating trade w/ foreign countries. Passing laws which protect the right of investors.  Defending the Country-Has the ability to formally declare war and maintain the armed forces.  Creating Lower Courts-To ensure laws are upheld, set up a national court system.  Proving for Growth-Pass laws to regulate immigration, protect territories, and admit new states.

23.  The power is given to Congress to do any action which is relating to its delegated powers that is necessary and proper, when this is exercised its known as implied powers.  The Constitution does not cover all areas b/c its flexible the necessary and proper clause is known as the elastic clause.

24.  Impeachment-is to accuse an officeholder of misconduct. Congress may remove this official if they are found guilty for serious crimes such as treason(crime against your country).  The charges are drawn up in the House of Reps. If the majority vote in favor of charges the individual will be put on trial.

25.  The trial is held in the Senate which becomes the court.  During the trial the Vice Pres. serves as the judge. If the Pres. is impeached the chief justices of the Supreme Court acts as the judge.  2/3 of the Senate must vote in order for the person to be found guilty.

26.  Section 4

27.  Each year Congress considers thousands of laws.  Appropriation Bills (spending money on the govt.) are the only exception.  Both the House and the Senate must approve a Bill before it becomes a law.  Then it is signed by the President into a law/act.

28.  Some times a large number of citizens will request a law and if a Congress member agrees w/ it they will introduce it.  Sometimes specific groups will request a law and it will be introduced to Congress.  Sometimes it begins in Congress by a member and is introduced to Congress  Also, the President can introduce a law to Congress for consideration.

29.  Bills are sent to a standing committee which is a group which meets regularly.  Many times the bill will go to a subcommittee for further consideration.  They will recommend if a Bill should be accepted or rejected.

30.  If the Subcommittee and the Committee recommend the law it will be put on a calendar for voting.  The Speaker determines if the Bill will debated.  The Committees determine how much time will be spent discussing the Bill.  When the Bill is debated the House acts as one large committee and vote on the issue. The vote is decided by the majority.

31.  After a Bill passes in the House it goes to the Senate.  The Bill goes the subcommittees and the committees for discussion. Then its sent back to the Senate.  Unlike the House Senators have unlimited time to discuss a Bill.  The can filibuster-attempt to talk for a long time in order to kill the legislation.  When the Senate ends a session by voting on a Bill its is called cloture.

32.  When a Bill passes in the House and the Senate it is sent to the President for approval.  If both Houses pass the different versions of the same Bill it is then sent to a conference committee to compromise so the Bill may be sent to the President.