Congress: The Legislative Branch

The United States Congress The Major function of Congress is to pass bills. Translating the public will into public policy in the form of bills. The Constitution established a bicameral legislature, one made up of two parts or houses.

Terms of Congress- Each term of Congress lasts for two years Terms of Congress- Each term of Congress lasts for two years. Each term starts on January 3rd of every odd-numbered year. Session of Congress- There are two one year sessions in every term of Congress. Special Session- Only the President can call a special session of Congress. Only 26 special sessions of Congress have ever been called.

The Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the United States Senate.

The House of Representative The House of Representative- This is the larger of the two houses of Congress. Each state’s membership is based on the population of that state. Its size, 435 is not fixed by the Constitution. (1912) Each state is guaranteed one seat in the House. Seven states have only one seat in the House.(AK, DE, ND, SD, MT, VT, and WY). http://www.house.gov/

House of Representatives Terms and Qualifications Term of Office- The term of office for a U.S. Representative is two years.

United States House of Representative Justin Amash-R Michigan’s 3rd District

House of Representatives Qualifications Be at least 25 years old. Must have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years. Must live in the state for which he or she represents. * They are elected by people of the district.

The United States Senate The Constitution states that the Senate shall be composed of two Senators from each state. Since the 17th Amendment, Senators are chosen by the people in elections. Senators are elected by the people from the state at large. (state wide) http://www.senate.gov/

Senate Term and Qualifications The Term of Office for a United States Senator is 6 years. The Three qualifications. Must be at least 30 years old. Must have been a U.S. citizen for 9 years. Must live in the state for which they want to represent. They are elected by the people of the entire state.

Michigan’s United States Senators Gary Peters -D Debbie Stabenow-D

Compensation The salary for a member of Congress is $174,000. The Speaker of the House is the highest paid member of Congress at $233,500 . He or she earns the same as the Vice-President of the United States, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Members of Congress and their Jobs The 535 members of Congress play several closely related and vital roles.

Roles and Jobs of Congress The major role of Congress is to make laws. They also serve as Committee members. They represent the people (constituents) of their states or districts. They are servants of their constituents. (help them with government problems) They are also politicians.

Powers of Congress Congress has the power to: Tax Collect Taxes Borrow Money Regulate trade Make laws about naturalization and bankruptcy Coin money punish counterfeiters Establish post offices Issue patents and copyrights Create federal courts Declare war Raise an army Provide for a navy Make laws for the District of Colombia Make rules for the army and national guard Call up the national guard Make all laws necessary and proper to carry out the foregoing powers

Presiding Officers of Congress President of the Senate Mike Pence President Pro Tempore of the Senate Orin Hatch Speaker of the House Paul Ryan

The Organization of Congress Presiding Officers- The Speaker of the House is that chambers presiding officer. The Senate’s presiding officer is called the President of the Senate. The Senate must also choose another officer called the President Pro-Tempore who will preside in the absence of the President of the Senate.

The Organization of Congress Each party picks floor leaders. They are responsible for guiding bills through the Congress, these members are called the majority and minority leaders. Assistant floor leaders called “whips” aid the majority and minority leaders in both houses (parts) of the Congress.

The Committee System in Congress Most of the work done in Congress is done in Committees. Committees permit Congress to divide the work among members, thus allowing the study of legislation by specialist and helping to speed up the passage of Legislation.

Membership of Committees The percentage of each committee’s membership reflects the overall percentage of Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Types of Committees There are four types of committees found in Congress Standing Committee- This type of committee is permanent and deals with bills of specific nature (agriculture, energy, natural resources, and veterans affairs). 2. Select Committees- This type of committee is usually temporary and created for a specific purpose. Most are formed to investigate a particular issue or incident, such as Watergate or 9/11.

Types of Committees 3. Joint Committee- This type of committee is made up of members of both houses of Congress. It may be a select committee(Iran-Contra) or perform routine duties (J.C./ committee on the Library of Congress). 4. Conference Committee- This type of committee is temporary and made up of members from both houses of Congress, created to resolve the differences in the House and Senate versions of a bill. It is often called a compromise committee.

Powers of Congress Legislative powers- powers to make laws . Expressed power- powers specifically granted to Congress, mostly found in Article I section 8 of the Constitution. Implied powers-powers which may be reasonably suggested to carry out the expressed powers in Article I, Section 8, clause 18: “Necessary and Proper” or elastic clause. Limitations on powers- powers denied the Congress by Article 1, Section 9 and the 10th Amendment.

The Five Non-legislative Powers of Congress Electoral powers- the selection of a president by the House of Representatives and /or the vice president by the Senate upon the failure of the electoral college to achieve a majority vote. The Amendment power- Congress may propose amendments to the Constitution in one of the four methods for adding amendments. The Impeachment power- the House may bring charges, or impeach, the president, vice president, or any civil officer; case is tried in the Senate with the Senate acting as the jury and Chief Justice presiding.

Five Non-Legislative Powers of Congress 4. Executive Powers of the Senate- The senate shares the appointment and treaty making powers with the executive branch: Senate must approve appointments by majority vote and treaties by two-thirds vote. 5. Investigative/Oversight powers- Congress investigates matters falling within the range of legislative authority; often involves the review of policies and programs of the executive branch.

Differences between the House and Senate Initiates all revenue bills. Initiates impeachment procedures and passes articles of Impeachment. More centralized, more formal; stronger leadership Rules Committee fairly powerful in controlling time and rules of debate. Members are highly specialized. Power centralized in the speaker’s inner circle of advisers Power distributed less evenly. Offers “advice and consent” on many major presidential appointments. Tries impeached officials. Approves treaties. Less centralized , less formal, weaker leadership. No rules committee; limits on debate come through unanimous consent or cloture of filibuster. Power distributed more evenly.