1. “Role and Powers of Congress”
Chapter 5
“Role and Powers of Congress”

2. Section 1: Role of Congress
Question:
1. What influences members of Congress to vote the way they do?
2. Imagine you’ve been elected to represent Ohio.
What are the most important issues that you think need addressed?

3. 5.1 Objectives
List influences that cause members of Congress to vote the way they do.
Identify reasons for congressional investigations.
Identify ways members of Congress help their constituents.

4. I. Making Laws Influences: Personal beliefs Constituents’ wishes
Interest Groups
Political Party Loyalty
House 201 Democrats, 234 Republicans
Senate: 53 D, 45 R, 2 Independents

5. II. Oversight Investigation of government programs
Usually focuses on abuses and scandals

6. III. Helping Constituents
200 million contacts per year
17% of population has asked for help
Why would someone contact their congressman?

7. Assignment: Read text pages 93-97
Complete section 1 review #2 and #3 on the back of DQ 5.1

8. 5.2 Objectives
Identify qualifications and term lengths for members of the House of Representatives and Senate
Understand how congressional districts are drawn and explain gerrymandering

9. Section 2: Houses and Members of Congress 2nd Session of the 113th Congress
I. House of Representatives
435 members
2 year term
Seats apportioned based on population, every state guaranteed at least 1
CA has 53, TX 36, NY 27, FL 27, IL & PA 18, OH 16

10. Formal Qualifications
25 years old
Citizen for 7 years
Must live in state elected

11. Informal Qualifications

12. Reapportionment
House grew every 10 years until 1920 (65 in 1789, 435 in 1920)
Reapportionment Act of 1929
Permanent size of 435
Census determines # per state
Today about 1 rep per every 700,000 people

15. Congressional Districts
Drawn up by state legislators
Each district must have similar populations
Gerrymandering legal to an extent

16. Gerrymandering…in action
In California…
In Illinois…
•Gerrymandering is only illegal if it favors one race or ethnic group over another.
•Political parties can hurt each other by drawing boundary lines that discriminate against the other party.

17. Ohio’s New Congressional Districts

18. 6th Congressional District Bill Johnson (R)

19. Our 6th Congressional District

20. Our old 18th Congressional District Bob Gibbs (R)

21. Gerrymandering Activity
•Objective:To get your gender to have has much control over the congressional districts in our state of Scottslyvania. •Based on the 2000 Census, we qualify for 4 congressional seats. •Currently, the Fem Party controls the state legislature and gets to determine how district boundary lines are drawn. •Although there are more members of the Man Party state-wide, most guys don’t vote and the Fem Party wins most of the seats in the state legislature

22. Gerrymandering Scottslyvania
Voting Population > 8 Fem + 18 Man = 6.5 per district
Fem Party only has 31% of voting population, but controls 51% of state legislature.
All districts MUST be of equal population, but may not have the same numbers of party members.
How many districts can the Fem Party control?

23. II. Senate _____ members _____ from each state
_____ year term (election every 2 years)
17th Amendment (1913)

24. Qualifications 30 years old U.S. citizen for 9 years
Live in the state elected

25. House vs. Senate Senate much more prestigious
Senate is a continuous body, House is not
Senate = upper house, House = lower house
Neither have term limits
Both can expel members for misconduct with a 2/3 vote

26. Why would senators be less subject to public opinion and special interests?

27. Salary and Benefits
$174,000
$60,000 pension when 50 with 20 years of service
Office space and staff
Travel paid to home states
Franking privilege
Health insurance
Can only be arrested for serious crimes

29. Assignment:
Read text pages
Daily Quiz 5.2

30. 5.3 Objectives
Identify examples of expressed and special powers held by Congress.
Explain and identify examples of implied powers held by Congress.
Identify constitutional limits that exist on congressional powers.

31. Section 3: Power of Congress
Expressed Powers (specifically listed)
Tax, pay debt, defense & general welfare of U.S.
Borrow money, coin money
Declare war, maintain an army
Govern Washington, D.C.
Make all laws necessary and proper for enforcing all powers
Page 105

32. Special Powers A. Impeachment
House/Senate/Vice-President/Chief Justice
Andrew Johnson – not guilty by 1 vote
Bill Clinton – not guilty, 55-45, 50-50
12 judges, 1 cabinet member, 1 senator

33. Approving Appointments
Approving Treaties
Senate
2/3 vote, not automatic - Treaty of Versailles
Approving Appointments
Senate – majority vote / senatorial courtesy
Supreme Court justices, ambassadors, cabinet
Deciding Elections
House chooses president – 1 vote per state
Senate chooses VP – 1 vote per senator

34. Implied Powers (Elastic/Necessary & Proper Clause)
Military academies (raise & maintain military)
War Powers Resolution (declare war)
Federal courts under Supreme Court

35. Limits on Power Cannot tax exports Cannot grant titles of nobility
Ex post facto laws
Bill of Attainder
Suspending Writ of Habeas Corpus
Cannot tax exports
Cannot grant titles of nobility
Cannot spend money that has not been approved by congress
Chart on page 108

36. Assignment Read text pages 105-108 Complete Daily Quiz 5.3
Friday – Study Guide
Monday – Chapter 5 Test