1. Structure of Legislative Branch
Congress
Bicameral- Has ____ legislative houses
House of _____________- Each state has number of reps based on population (435)
Senate- Each state has ______ senators(100)
two
Representatives
two

2. Legislative Branch Powers
Approve the _______
Declare ______
Make _______
Approve presidential ____________
Coin ________
Control _________
_______ armed forces
Levying _________
budget
war
laws
appointments
money
commerce
Maintain
taxes

3. House and Senate Comparison
Number of
Members
Term
Term Limits
Qualifications
*At least 25 years of age
*U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
*Live in the state they represent
435
2 years
None
*At least 30 years of age
*U.S. citizen for at least 9 years
*Resident of the state they represent
100
6 years
House
Senate

4. Leaders of Congress House of Representatives ________ of the House
Selected from the Political Party that has the majority of members
In charge of almost all the activities of the House
Speaker

5. Leaders of Congress Senate Vice President President Pro ________
Official ____________ of the Senate
President Pro ________
Handles the day to day leadership tasks
Usually the senior member of the majority party
President
Tempore

6. U.S. Census
Every _____ years the __________ of the U.S. is determined by census
Allowed by the U.S. Constitution, Art. 1, Sec. 2
The population numbers are used to determine the number of ______________ each state receives
ten
population
representatives

7. Reapportionment
After each census the distribution of representatives is ______________ based on the __________ in population in each state
The total __________ of representatives remains the same (435)
The number of representatives a state has is dependent on how its _________________ compares to the other states
recalculated
change
number
population

8. The Legislative Process (How Bill becomes a law)
House of Representatives
Senate
Bill is written
Bill is written

9. Legislative Powers __________Powers
Powers expressly __________ in Art. I (collect taxes, maintain army, make money)
___________ Powers (Elastic Clause)
Powers _________ to carry out expressed powers (i.e. Military Academies, Mints)
Powers needed for the general __________ of the country (Environmental Laws)
Expressed
listed
Implied
necessary
welfare

10. Factors that may influence a legislator’s vote
______________
Voice the _________ of the citizens they represent
_____________
Keep the voters happy
_______ membership
Follow their party’s platform
__________ Groups
Constituents
beliefs
Re-election
Party
Interests

11. Role of Interest Groups in the legislative process
Representing __________ viewpoints
Make political ________________
Identify and publicize ____________
___________ government officials (attempting to influence government leaders to create laws)
___________ legislation
Laws to serve their interest
different
issues
contributions
Lobbying
Propose

12. Legislative Checks over other branches
Ratify _________
Done by the Senate
Approve __________
Appropriate (pay) _____________
Must be introduced by House
___________ a veto
_________ a President and federal judges
treaties
appointments
money
Override
Impeach

13. Limiting the power of the Legislative Branch (Checks and Balances)
Judicial (Supreme Court)
May declare laws unconstitutional
Executive (President)
Vetoes acts of Congress
Calls Congress into special sessions