1. The Legislative Branch
The Law-Making Branch
The Legislative Branch

2. Focus Question:
How does a system of checks and balances work?

3. Format of the Constitution
Divided into three parts
The Preamble
Seven Articles
Twenty Seven Amendments
Drafted in Philadelphia in
1787

4. The Legislative Branch
Congress
Outlined in Article I
Responsible for making the
laws
Given broad responsibility
Most described branch of
government

5. Bicameral Legislature
Congress divided into two chambers
House of Representatives
Senate
Both serve to make laws
Check on one another

6. House of Representatives
Proportional Representation
435 members
Serve a two-year term
Must be:
25 years old
Citizen for 7 years
Live in State represented

7. House of Representatives (II)
Led by the Speaker of the House
Starts all money bills
Initiates Impeachment Process

8. The Senate Equal Representation Serve a six-year term Must be:
100 members
Serve a six-year term
One-third up for election
every two years
Must be:
30 years old
Citizen for 9 years
Live in State represented

9. The Senate (II) Led by the Vice President (President of the Senate)
Responsible for foreign affairs
Approve treaties
Approve presidential appointments
Serve as a jury for impeachment cases
Has a filibuster rule

10. Powers denied Congress
Cannot pass:
Ex Post Facto laws
(actions illegal after committed)
Bills of Attainder
(Punishment without trial)
Cannot suspend habeas corpus
(Defendants must be charged)

11. Assignment
Read “What Are Congress’s Constitutional Powers” We the People, pp
Complete the Critical Thinking Exercise, answering questions in complete sentences:
How would you define “necessary” and “proper”?
What are the benefits and dangers of the “necessary and proper” clause, otherwise called the “elastic clause”?

12. Summary
What more would you like to know about the Legislative Branch? Why would you want to learn this about it?