Legislative Branch -1 “The guys who make the laws”

Quote on Congressional Powers “Though the President is Commander in Chief, Congress is his commander; this is not a government of Kings, but a government of the people, and Congress is the people.” - Rep. Thaddeus Stevens, 1867

House and Senate

The Powers of Congress The congress has only those powers delegated (granted, given) to it by the Constitution. Congress cannot create a national public school system, require people to attend a church, or set a minimum age for marriages or drivers’ licenses. It cannot confiscate handguns.

Essential Understandings The legislative branch is a bicameral body with committees playing a major role in the legislative process. The Constitution of the United States grants both expressed and implied powers to the legislative branch.

Essential Questions How does the system of checks and balances protect against an abuse of power by one branch of government?

Checks of the Legislative Branch Checks of Legislative Branch over executive- ▫To override Presidential vetoes ▫To impeach and convict a president ▫To approve treaties ▫To approve presidential appointments

Checks over Judicial Branch To approve Federal judges and justices To impeach and convict judges and justices.

Breakdown of the Legislative Branch

Committees of Congress Think of the Committees in Congress as a “division of labor,” – dividing the work to be done, assigning several parts of the overall task to various members of a group. Most of the work that congress does is done in committees.

Standing Committees Permanent committee in a legislative body to which bills in a specified subject-matter area are referred. 20 standing committees in the House, and 16 in the Senate Standing committees in the House: members In the Senate: Divided into subcomittees

Select Committee Legislative committee created for a limited time and for some specific purpose; also known as a special committee.

Joint Committee Legislative committee composed of members of both houses.

Conference Committee Temporary joint committee created to reconcile any differences between the two house versions of a bill.

Essential Questions on Legislative How is congress organized? How many senators per state? How are the number of House Representatives determined per state? What is Gerrymandering? How many limits can you serve in the House or Senate What is the title given to the leader of the House of Representatives 40% of Congressmen are above what age? How many members are in the legislative branch How are committees organized and what is their purpose? What are the expressed and implied powers

Essential Knowledge The two houses of Congress ▫The Senate: 100 members, each state has two senators. ▫House of Representatives: 435 members, each state’s representation built on state’s population. ▫Standard Government- 7a