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The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch. “ 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. OBJECTIVES:

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The Legislative Branch

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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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