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Understanding the US Legislative Branch Qualifications and Functions

Learn about the necessary qualifications and duties of Congress members, the Senate and House functions, and the legislative process in the U.S. Congress. Explore topics like the roles of Committees, Congressional Agencies, and how a bill becomes law.

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Understanding the US Legislative Branch Qualifications and Functions

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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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