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Understanding the Legislative Branch: The Role of Congress in Democratic Governance

Gain insights into the workings of Congress, including its duties and functions, through an exploration of the bicameral system, congressional sessions, and the powers of the House of Representatives and Senate. Learn about the qualifications, terms of office, and powers specific to each chamber, and discover the reasons behind the creation of a bicameral legislature in the United States. Understand the significance of an effective lawmaking body in upholding democratic principles and the importance of a responsible legislature in shaping the nation's governance.

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Understanding the Legislative Branch: The Role of Congress in Democratic Governance

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  1. The Legislative Branch

  2. “ Any one who is unfamiliar with what Congress actually does and how it does it, with all its duties and all its occupations, …is very far from a knowledge of the Constitutional system under which we live.” Woodrow Wilson

  3. OBJECTIVES: Explain: Why the Constitution provides for a bicameral Congress. Describe: A term in Congress. Summarize: How sessions of Congress have changed over time.

  4. WHY IT MATTERS A responsible, responsive and effective lawmaking body is absolutely indispensable to democratic government. Without such a legislature, “talk” about democratic government is only that.

  5. Function: • Make the Laws

  6. Congressional Joint Powers • Levy and collect taxes • Raise and maintain military • Grant statehood • Control national lands • Regulate interstate trade • Naturalize citizens • Declare war • Control making of currency

  7. House of Representatives • Qualifications • 25 years old • U.S. Citizen for 7 years • Resident of state elected • Method of Selection – Election by the people • Term of Office – 2 years • Members per State – Based on population – 435 total • Powers reserved for the House only • Originates money bills (taxes) • Begins impeachment process • Elects President if Electoral College fails to do so

  8. Senate 1. Qualifications a. 30 Years Old b. American citizen for 9 years c. Resident of state elected 2. Method of Selection – Election by the people 3. Term of office – 6 years 4. Members per state – 2 5. Powers reserved for Senate only a. Confirm Presidential appointments b. Approve/reject treaties c. Jury for impeachment trial

  9. WHY DID THE FOUNDERS CREATE A BICAMERAL CONGRESS?

  10. 1.) Practical-The Framers had to create a two-chambered body to settle the conflict between the Virginia and the New Jersey Plan at the Philadelphia Convention. 2.)Theoretical- The Framers favored a bicameral Congress in order that one house might act as a check on the other

  11. Voting Options • Trustees- each decision is made on its merits. Judge independently. • Delegates- vote the way “the folks back home” would want. • Partisans- vote with your party • Politicos- balance of the above

  12. The U.S. Congress in Brief • Bicameral • Senate • 100 members • Six years • More prestigious • House • 435 • 2 years • Reapportioned after each census

  13. SIZE AND TERMS • HOUSE=435 • Is not set by Constitution. Rather, it is set by Congress. • The Constitution process that the total number of apportioned among the States on the basis of their respective populations. • Apportioned=Distributed

  14. SIZE AND TERMS • Article I of the Constitution directs Congress to reapportion the seats in the House after each decennial census. • *Reapportion=Redistribute

  15. SIZE AND TERMS • SENATE=100 • Each State gets 2 senators. • John McCain Jeff Flake

  16. Congressional Elections • Elections are held on the same day in every state. • Since 1872 Congress has required that those elections be held on the Tuesday following the first Monday of each Even-Numbered year.

  17. Congressional Elections • Off-Year Elections • Congressional elections that occur in the nonpresidential years. 2008 2010 The House of Representatives

  18. QUESTIONS???

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