1. The Legislative Branch

2. Also called “The Congress” Also called “The Congress” “Bicameral” “Bicameral” Two Houses Two Houses House of Representatives House of Representatives US Senate US Senate

3. US Senate 100 total 2 from each state 6 year terms 1/3 elected every 2 years Qualifications Must be 30 years old Must live in state Must be a US citizen for at least 9 years -The Senate chamber in the US Capitol Building

4. US Senate Cont’d Presiding Officer: Vice President of the United States Presiding Officer: Vice President of the United States Currently Joe Biden Currently Joe Biden President Pro-Tempore of the Senate = The person that acts in the Vice President’s place when he/she is absent from the Senate chamber. President Pro-Tempore of the Senate = The person that acts in the Vice President’s place when he/she is absent from the Senate chamber. Currently Robert Byrd Currently Robert Byrd

5. Our Illinois Senators! Roland Burris Roland Burris “Junior Senator” “Junior Senator” Dick Durbin Dick Durbin “Senior Senator” “Senior Senator”

6. US House of Representatives 435 members 435 members Based on population of state Based on population of state Determined by census Determined by census Fewest per state = 1 Fewest per state = 1 2 year terms Qualifications Qualifications 25 years old Resident of state US citizen for 7 years Illinois = 19 Total Reps!

7. US House of Representatives Cont’d Presiding Officer: Speaker of the House Presiding Officer: Speaker of the House Currently Nancy Pelosi Currently Nancy Pelosi

8. Our US Representative Melissa Bean Melissa Bean Represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District Represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District

9. Powers Delegated to Congress (both the House and the Senate) Delegated = In the Constitution! Declare War Declare War Pass taxes Pass taxes Raise, maintain, and supply the nation’s military forces Raise, maintain, and supply the nation’s military forces Coin money Coin money Regulate foreign trade Regulate foreign trade Regulate interstate commerce Regulate interstate commerce

10. Powers Delegated to Congress Cont’d Pass “Necessary and Proper” Laws Pass “Necessary and Proper” Laws Known as the “Elastic Clause” Known as the “Elastic Clause” Congress has the authority to change the role of the national government (write new laws) without going through the amendment process. Congress has the authority to change the role of the national government (write new laws) without going through the amendment process. Why is this important? Why is this important?

11. Sole (Special Powers) of Each Branch of Congress US House of Representatives US House of Representatives To impeach government officials To impeach government officials “Accuse” “Accuse” Starts all revenue bills Starts all revenue bills Elects a President if no candidate receives a clear majority Elects a President if no candidate receives a clear majority US Senate To try impeachment cases Approves all treaties Approves Presidential appointments

13. How a Bill Becomes a Law… School House Rock! School House Rock!

15. Write your own law! This classroom is now the US Congress! This classroom is now the US Congress! Senate = 9 people Senate = 9 people House of Reps = ? People House of Reps = ? People In groups of three, take a few minutes and think of a law that would affect the classroom rules or regulations for Mr. W’s US History 7 th period on Monday… In groups of three, take a few minutes and think of a law that would affect the classroom rules or regulations for Mr. W’s US History 7 th period on Monday… Rules: Law must be Constitutional! (It must abide with the code of conduct and class rules) Rules: Law must be Constitutional! (It must abide with the code of conduct and class rules) Mr. W is President with full veto power (Used only if necessary.) Mr. W is President with full veto power (Used only if necessary.)