1. The Legislative Branch

2. Congress: It's Who You Vote For Congress is the largest branch in govt. (535 people) Congress is the largest branch in govt. (535 people) - Congress is bicameral, which means it is split into two parts: - Senate & House of Reps. - Congressional Elections occur every two years (all of House, 1/3 of Senate) - This is the branch of govt. that people have the most control over

3. House of Representatives Known as “The House” Known as “The House” Reps serve two year terms Reps serve two year terms Number of reps per state is based on population Number of reps per state is based on population California has the most (53), several states have only 1 (Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska) California has the most (53), several states have only 1 (Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska) No term limits (can serve as long as they want) No term limits (can serve as long as they want)

4. House of Representatives (cont.) Qualifications: Qualifications: - at least 25 years old - Citizen of U.S. for 7+ years - Must live in the state they represent However, there are several unwritten qualifications for representatives However, there are several unwritten qualifications for representatives Can you think of any? What would you want your representatives to be like?? Can you think of any? What would you want your representatives to be like??

5. House of Representatives (cont.)‏ Unwritten Qualifications: Unwritten Qualifications: - Good background in law (lawyer a plus) - Good background in law (lawyer a plus) - Good background in business - Good background in business - Older the better (more experience) - Older the better (more experience) - Usually served in some type of govt before (State or Local) - Usually served in some type of govt before (State or Local)

6. Mainers in the House!

7. Who are you Repin'? In states with only 1 Rep, the elected person represents the whole states In states with only 1 Rep, the elected person represents the whole states In states with more than 1 Rep, the person represents a congressional district, or section of the state In states with more than 1 Rep, the person represents a congressional district, or section of the state

9. Gerrymandering Gerrymandering refers to creating or re-organizing congressional districts to favor a particular party Gerrymandering refers to creating or re-organizing congressional districts to favor a particular party Usually favors either Democrats or Republicans Usually favors either Democrats or Republicans Legal because re-districting is left up to state govt. Legal because re-districting is left up to state govt. Little to no regulations Little to no regulations

10. Gerrymandering Activity (A) Please read sections about gerrymandering on pages 123-124 in your Govt. Textbook Please read sections about gerrymandering on pages 123-124 in your Govt. Textbook Answer the Gerrymandering questions. Answer the Gerrymandering questions. Visit the Gerrymandering link at the Class Wiki. Visit the Gerrymandering link at the Class Wiki. Play the Re-Districting Simulation Game. Play the Re-Districting Simulation Game.

11. Gerrymandering Activity (B) Please read sections about gerrymandering on pages 181 & 214 in your Civics Textbook Please read sections about gerrymandering on pages 181 & 214 in your Civics Textbook Next, answer this question: Next, answer this question: Do you think gerrymandering should be legal? Why or why not? What problems or solutions might occur because of gerrymandering? Do you think gerrymandering should be legal? Why or why not? What problems or solutions might occur because of gerrymandering?

12. 1 st Day in Congress Activity Please grab your NetBooks and log onto the following website: Please grab your NetBooks and log onto the following website: - http://kids.clerk.house.gov/high-school Choose Activities and click “1 st Day in Congress” from the drop-down menu Choose Activities and click “1 st Day in Congress” from the drop-down menu Complete the worksheet given to you by Mr. Duran Complete the worksheet given to you by Mr. Duran

13. Senate Upper house of Congress is called the Senate Upper house of Congress is called the Senate Each state elects two people to serve in the Senate, known as “Senators” Each state elects two people to serve in the Senate, known as “Senators” Senators serve 6 year terms Senators serve 6 year terms Elections held for 1/3 of the Senate every 6 years Elections held for 1/3 of the Senate every 6 years No terms limits (serve as long as they are elected) No terms limits (serve as long as they are elected) Each Senator represents the entire state Each Senator represents the entire state Senators do not have to work together Senators do not have to work together

14. Senate (cont.) Qualifications: Qualifications: - Must be at least 30 years old - Citizen of U.S. for 9+ years - Must live in state they represent Same unwritten qualifications as House Same unwritten qualifications as House Most Senators are former Representatives Most Senators are former Representatives Why?? Why??

15. Maine Senators

16. Senate Map (2008 - 2010)

17. The dreaded Filibuster! During a debate in the House, each Rep. is limited to speaking for only 5 minutes. During a debate in the House, each Rep. is limited to speaking for only 5 minutes. In the Senate, a Senator “has the floor” until they end or yield their argument. In the Senate, a Senator “has the floor” until they end or yield their argument. Many Senators enact filibusters to block or stop legislation. Many Senators enact filibusters to block or stop legislation. They just talk, talk, talk.... They just talk, talk, talk.... Until the bill is either repealed OR They run out of breath!

18. The Powers of the Legislature Congress does not have unlimited power Congress does not have unlimited power The authority and power of Congress can be found in Article I of the Constitution The authority and power of Congress can be found in Article I of the Constitution These powers allow them to create laws, run day-to-day business, manage the military, and levy (create & collect) taxes These powers allow them to create laws, run day-to-day business, manage the military, and levy (create & collect) taxes “Power of the Purse” “Power of the Purse”

19. 3 Major Powers of Congress The powers of Congress are separated into 3 Major Categories: 1. Enumerated Powers (listed in Constitution) 2. Implied Powers (Elastic Clause) 3. Special Powers

20. Enumerated & Implied Powers Enumerated Powers: Enumerated Powers: - Create & maintain a military (Army/Navy) - Create & maintain a military (Army/Navy) - Power to declare war on foreign countries - Power to declare war on foreign countries Implied Powers: Implied Powers: - Expand military (Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines) - Expand military (Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines) - Create military academies (West Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy) - Create military academies (West Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy) - Military Draft - Military Draft

21. Ah, its good to be in Congress What are some of the Salaries, Benefits, & Privileges of being a Senator? What are some of the Salaries, Benefits, & Privileges of being a Senator? Please read pages 215-217 in your Civics textbook Please read pages 215-217 in your Civics textbook Complete your Congressional Benefits worksheet Complete your Congressional Benefits worksheet After you are done, compare your answers with two partners After you are done, compare your answers with two partners

22. Non-Legislative Powers Please turn to pages 224-225 in your Civics textbook. Please turn to pages 224-225 in your Civics textbook. Please complete the following questions: Please complete the following questions: 1. What is the power of impeachment? Explain the process in as much detail as possible. 2. List 4 Special Powers of Congress and explain the importance of each power.

23. How a Bill Becomes a Law

24. One of Congress' main jobs to create & pass bills One of Congress' main jobs to create & pass bills Bills can be introduced by several people, including: Bills can be introduced by several people, including: - Reps/Senators - Citizens - Interest Groups - President & Executive Office

25. How a Bill Becomes a Law After it is sponsored, the bill is put in the bill hopper and is introduced by the Speaker of the House or the Clerk After it is sponsored, the bill is put in the bill hopper and is introduced by the Speaker of the House or the Clerk It is then debated in the House It is then debated in the House If it is approved by 2/3 of the House, it moves onto the Senate for a vote If it is approved by 2/3 of the House, it moves onto the Senate for a vote

26. How a Bill Becomes a Law The bill is debated in the Senate The bill is debated in the Senate The bill is either killed by a filibuster or it is accepted and brought to a vote The bill is either killed by a filibuster or it is accepted and brought to a vote If 2/3 of the Senate approves the bill, it is sent to the President for approval If 2/3 of the Senate approves the bill, it is sent to the President for approval

27. How a Bill Becomes a Law When a Bill is introduced to the President, he has 3 options: When a Bill is introduced to the President, he has 3 options: 1. He can sign (approve) the bill, making it a law 2. He can veto (reject) a bill, sending it back to Congress 3. He can pocket veto a bill, which is where he does nothing

28. How a Bill Becomes a Law If the President vetoes the Bill, it can still become a law if: If the President vetoes the Bill, it can still become a law if: - 2/3 of both the House & Senate vote to override the President's veto - 2/3 of both the House & Senate vote to override the President's veto

29. How a Bill Becomes a Law If the President pocket vetoes a Bill, after 10 days pass,one of two things happen to the Bill: If the President pocket vetoes a Bill, after 10 days pass,one of two things happen to the Bill: 1. If Congress is NOT in session, the Bill is killed 1. If Congress is NOT in session, the Bill is killed OR OR 2. If Congress is in session, the Bill automatically becomes law without the President's signature 2. If Congress is in session, the Bill automatically becomes law without the President's signature

30. How a Bill Becomes a Law However, the Supreme Court has the final say in whether or not a Bill actually becomes a law However, the Supreme Court has the final say in whether or not a Bill actually becomes a law The Supreme Court, using their power of judicial review, can determine whether or not a new law is unconstitutional The Supreme Court, using their power of judicial review, can determine whether or not a new law is unconstitutional If this happens, the law is nullified If this happens, the law is nullified