1. The Legislative Branch

2. How many?
Each 10 years the Census is used to determine a state’s number of representatives
Each representative in the House of Representatives has approximately 650,000 constituents
Census- Official count of the people in the country

3. According to the Constitution, To become a Senator or Congress member you must…
Be a resident of the state in which you are elected
Be at least 25 years old for the House and a citizen for 7 years
Be at least 30 years old for the Senate and a citizen for 9 years

4. Most legislators…
Have at least a college (and usually and advanced) degree
Backgrounds in business or law

5. Powers of the Congress Levy and collect taxes Borrow money
Regulate interstate and foreign commerce
Coin money
Declare war

6. House Senate 435 members 2 year terms Elected in districts
Quicker to act
Less prestigious
Less press coverage
Limited floor debate
More influence on budget
100 members
6 year terms
Elected by state
Slower to act
More prestige
More press coverage
Longer floor debates
More influence on foreign affairs

7. The House of Representatives
435 Members
42 African Americans
75 women
27 Latinos
6 Asian Americans
1 Native American
3 Openly gay members
2 Muslims
2 Buddhists

8. House Leadership Speaker of the House John Boehner (OH)
Majority Leader
Eric Cantor
Minority Leader
Nancy Pelosi
Majority Whip
Kevin McCarthy
Minority Whip
Steny Hoyner

9. The Speaker of the House
Majority party
Is elected from whole House vote
Presides over House, assigns bills to committees and appoints representatives to special committees and commissions
Decides what and when bills will be debated

10. How many Representatives in the House does each state have?

11. Minnesota’s 8 Districts

12. Our home district!

13. The Senate 100 members 17 women 1 Latino 1 African American
1 Japanese American
1 Native Hawaiian American
13 Jews
The average age is 62

14. Senate Leadership President of the Senate (Vice President of the US)
President pro tempore
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Majority Whip
Minority Whip

15. How Congress checks other branches
Oversees executive agencies
Senate approves presidential appointments
House can vote to impeach an official and the Senate conducts the trial
Senate must approve (ratify) all treaties
Congress can override presidential veto
Congress can vote to amend the Constitution
Can create federal courts

16. Elections…
Since 1990, representatives running for re-election in the House have won 90 percent of the time. About 80 percent of incumbent senators win.

17. Copy down how a bill becomes a law onto p. 2 of your packet from p
Copy down how a bill becomes a law onto p. 2 of your packet from p. 227 of the textbook