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Legislative Branch

Legislative Branch. Ch. 7. Qualifications of Congress. House 25 years old U.S. citizen for 7 years Must legally reside in the state that elects Vacancy filled by special election Senate 30 years old U.S. citizen for 9 years Must legally reside in the state that elects

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Legislative Branch

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  1. Legislative Branch Ch. 7

  2. Qualifications of Congress • House • 25 years old • U.S. citizen for 7 years • Must legally reside in the state that elects • Vacancy filled by special election • Senate • 30 years old • U.S. citizen for 9 years • Must legally reside in the state that elects • Vacancy filled by gubernatorial appointment

  3. Electing Congressional Members • Senate (100) • 6 year term • House (435) • Seats based & decided on state population • 2 year term • Reapportionment • Census calculated every 10 years

  4. The Senate (Upper House) • Officers of: • VP is the head • Established by the Constitution • Debates/votes only in the case of a tie • President Pro Tempore • Serves in place of the VP • Majority Leader • Minority Leader • Whips

  5. The Senate • Duties of: • Pass bills • Approve treaties made by president • Approves selection of federal officers by president • Jury in cases of impeachment

  6. The Senate • Debate on bills • Usually unlimited amount of time • Filibuster • Cloture

  7. The House (Lower House) • Officers of: • Speaker of the House • Presiding officer • Elected by majority party • Majority Leader • Minority Leader • Whips

  8. The House • Duties of: • Passes bills • All bills of revenue begin here • Sole power of impeachment against any federal officer • Select president if no majority in the Electoral College

  9. Congress • Enumerated Powers • “Power of the Purse” • Foreign Policy • War Powers Act of 1973 • War on Terrorism • Naturalization • Oversight • Legislative veto – unconstitutional • Congressional review?

  10. Congressional Committees • Committees • Do most of the work of Congress • Types of: • Standing • Joint • Select • Conference • Quorum • Minimum number of people that must be present to take legislative action (218)

  11. Committee Membership • Each member belongs to a committee • Pork barrel legislation • Log rolling • Membership reflects party distribution • Committee Chairs • House • No more than 6 years • Senate • Seniority

  12. How Members Make Decisions • Constituents • Colleagues • Political parties • Caucuses • Interest groups and Lobbyists • PACs • Staff and Support Agencies

  13. Congressional Agencies • CBO – Congressional Budget Office • GAO – General Accounting Office • Library of Congress • Government Printing Office

  14. How A Bill Becomes Law • Types of bills • Private • Public • Types of resolutions • Simple • Joint • Concurrent • Rider

  15. How A Bill Becomes Law • Introducing a bill • Ideas • Written by various people • House vs. Senate • Committee • Hearings • Reporting • Floor (debate) • Voting

  16. How A Bill Becomes Law • Final Steps • Bill must pass both houses in identical form • If not, Conference committee • Goes to President • Law • Sign • Keeps bill for 10 days w/o signing while Congress is in session • Veto • Refuse to sign • Pocket veto • Congressional override • Registering Laws

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