Understanding the Legislative Branch: Roles, Responsibilities, and Structure of Congress

1. The Legislative Branch

2. The Members of Congress • The Responsibilities of Lawmaking • To constituents – people he or she represents • To the nation • To his/her political party

3. To interest groups – groups of people who work together for similar interests or goals • Lobbyists – people who represent interest groups to convince Congressmen to support or oppose bills • Bill – proposed law

4. Members of Congress at Work • Learn about issues they vote on • Be present on the floor of the House or Senate • Attend meetings

5. Representatives • Number of representatives for each state is determined by the census • Congressional district– area that a member of the House represents • Districts are redrawn every 10 years • Gerrymandering– drawing district lines to achieve favorable political results for one political party

6. Serve a 2-year term • Can be reelected an unlimited number of times • Office ends every other January 3

7. Senators • Each state is represented by 2 Senators • Serve a 6-year term • Can be reelected an unlimited number of times • 1/3 of Senate is up for election every 2 years

8. Requirements, Salary and Benefits • Must live in the state where elected • Age requirements • Representatives - at least 25 • Senators - at least 30 • Salary is set by Congress • Receive additional salary for leadership roles • Get money for running office in DC and at home

9. Powers of Congress • Promote the General Welfare • Laws, regulate commerce, collect taxes, borrow money • Provide for Defense • Provide for army, navy, declare war • Establish Justice • Creating federal courts or impeachment

10. Unlisted Powers • Can make all laws that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out powers listed in the Constitution • Called the “elastic clause”

11. Limits on Congress’ Powers • Cannot take away individual’s right to a writ of habeas corpus – paper that orders the police to bring you to court to determine whether there’s enough evidence to keep you in jail • Can’t pass a bill of attainder – law that convicts a person of a crime w/out a trial

12. How Congress is Organized • Leadership in Congress • Speaker of the House • Chosen by the majority party in the House • Is the most powerful member of the House • Presides over sessions • Appoints committee members

13. President of the Senate • Vice President • In charge of sessions • Can’t take part in debates • Can only vote in case of a tie • President pro tempore • Presides over the Senate when the VP is gone • Chosen by the majority party in the Senate

14. Majority floor leaders • Chief officers of the majority party in each house • Help guide bills through Congress • Minority floor leaders • Chief officers of minority party in each house

15. Majority and Minority Whips – • assistant floor leaders who persuade members to support party positions

16. Types of Committees • Standing committees • Permanent committee studies the bill, holds hearings and decides whether to recommend it • Senate has 19 • Armed Services • Foreign Relations • Judiciary • Househas 21 • Appropriations • Rules • Ways and Means

17. Subcommittee • Formed for very specific jobs w/in jurisdiction of full committees • House: Livestock, Dairy and Poultry (w/in Agriculture) • Senate: National Parks

18. Select or special committees – appointed for a limited purpose or time • House: Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming • Senate: “ “ Intelligence

19. Joint committees • Permanent bodies that include members of both houses for studies or “housekeeping” • Joint committee on Printing • Joint committee on Taxation

20. Conference committee - temporary joint committee made up of members of the House and Senate to reconcile a bill to be passed