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Unit 3: Legislative Branch/Congress

Unit 3: Legislative Branch/Congress. Journal #18. Read the quotes in the handout about Congress. Then, choose one quote and write a paragraph answering: What does it mean? What does the author think of Congress? What does this quote show us about how Congress works? . Congressional Basics .

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Unit 3: Legislative Branch/Congress

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  1. Unit 3: Legislative Branch/Congress

  2. Journal #18 • Read the quotes in the handout about Congress. • Then, choose one quote and write a paragraph answering: • What does it mean? • What does the author think of Congress? • What does this quote show us about how Congress works?

  3. Congressional Basics • Two houses: • House of Representatives • Senate • Bicameral legislature

  4. Differences between the House and Senate • What do you notice about the differences between the House and Senate qualifications and term lengths? • What does this mean? What does this say about the prestige of each house?

  5. Filibustering (Senate only) • Trying to prevent a bill from being voted on with the goal to kill it • Threats or actual? • Longest filibuster: Strom Thurmond tried to stop the Civil Rights Act of 1957 • 24 hours long!

  6. Political Ideology and Parties • Democrats: Katelynn, Shenna, Bobby, Bea, Christine, Bryanna, Maxine • Republicans: Casey, Cody, Kiernan, Jessica, Lauren, Kristen, Heather • Independents who caucus (meet) with the Democrats: Alex • Independents who caucus (meet) with the Republicans: Sam, Jake, Kelly, Nate, Peter • Real of House of Representatives: 193 Democrats, 242 Republicans • Our House of Representatives: 8 “Democrats,” 12 “Republicans”

  7. Journal #19 • What topic did you choose for your editorial and why? • List 3 elements to include in writing a good editorial.

  8. Journal #20 • Based on your online research, how is power decided in Congress? Who holds the most power, and why? • Do you know the names of Connecticut’s two senators? Your representative in the House? (This will also be your HW tonight!)

  9. How is Congress made up? • Apportionment • Districts • Represent constituents (the people in the district) • Most representatives and Senators (usually above 90%) are incumbents

  10. Connecticut’s Districts

  11. Rep. Joe Courtney, CT 2nd District

  12. Gerrymandering

  13. Gerrymandering

  14. Who Has the Power in Congress? • Based on seniority and party

  15. Role of parties • Partisanship • Democrats: More liberal • Bigger government • Socially progressive • Republicans: More conservative • Smaller government • Socially traditional

  16. Demographics of Congress • In your groups, first research the demographics of the United States as a whole. • Then, compare that demographic data to the demographics of Congress (both the Senate and the House). • Record your observations and answer the questions.

  17. Journal #21 • If you were a representative in Congress, and you were voting on a bill, whose opinion would you base your decision on? • Your own beliefs/opinions OR • The opinions/beliefs of your constituents (look in your notes if you forgot who your constituents would be) • Why? Explain your reasoning. • (Note: Ideally, the beliefs would be similar, but if they conflicted, what would you do?)

  18. How a bill becomes a law • Use pgs. 150-151 in your textbook and your packets to complete the worksheet. • Compare School House Rock’s “I’m Just a Bill” with the real process. • What does School House Rock get right and wrong? • What is missing from School House Rock? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-eYBZFEzf8

  19. Committees: Where most work is done • Standing Committees- permanent panel with full legislative functions and oversight responsibilities • Subcommittees – formed to tackle very specific tasks within the jurisdiction of the full committees • Select or Special Committees - groups appointed for a limited purpose and limited duration • Joint Committees - includes members of both chambers to conduct studies or perform housekeeping tasks • Conference Committee - includes members of House & Senate to work out differences between similar bills

  20. How a bill becomes a law…not the textbook version • Logrolling • Pork Barrel legislation • Special interest groups/lobbying

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