The Legislative Branch (Congress) Chapter 5

How Congress is Organized A. Terms of Congress Begins on January 3 of odd numbered years. They are voted into office November of the previous year, unless a special election is needed to fill vacancy.

How Congress is Organized B. Bicameral Legislation 2 part Congress: 1) House of Representatives 2) Senate

How Congress is Organized House of Representatives: Largest body housing 435 voting members representing each state based on population of state. They serve 2 year terms. Census – taken every 10 years to determine population in the state. Amount of Representatives is adjusted if needed. Constituents – people being represented Gerrymander – odd shaped district designed to increase voting to strengthen a particular group.

Section 1: How Congress is Organized Senate: 100 members 2 from each state They serve 6 year terms

LA Congressional Districts Louisiana has 2 senators and 6 representatives in the United States House of Representatives. The US is divided into 435 congressional districts – each with a population of about 710,000 individuals.

How Congress is Organized C. Congressional Leaders 1) Speaker of the House: Most powerful leader in House of Representatives. Member of Majority Party. Next in line for Presidency behind Vice-President. Majority Party – Political party with more than half membership in Congress. Minority Party – Political party with less than half membership in Congress.

How Congress is Organized C. Congressional Leaders 2) President Pro Tempore: Usually acts as chairperson for Senate. Majority party member with little power. 3) Whips: Members who help tally votes needed to pass legislation.

How Congress is Organized D. Committees Types of Committees: Standing Committees – permanent committees that continue working from session to session. Examples: education, veterans affairs, commerce Select Committees – created to do a special job for a limited period of time. Examples: reviewing assassinations of Pres. Kennedy & MLK, Jr.

How Congress is Organized D. Committees Types of Committees: Joint Committees – only 4, includes members from both houses. Examples: Economic Committee, Federal tax policy, Library of Congress, Government Printing Office. Conference Committee – temporary and helps iron out details so that House and Senate can agree on proposed laws.

How Congress is Organized D. Committees Being assigned to a big committee is key to getting your state well represented on key votes in Congress. Most of the assignments are based on seniority, or years of service in a particular job, benefitting career politicians.

The Powers of Congress A. Legislative Powers 1) Taxing and Spending- Congress has powers to collect taxes, and therefore spend taxpayer money. a) Authorization bills are used to create projects like the space shuttle program and establish budgets on the projects needing money. b) Appropriation bills provide funding for each activity.

The Powers of Congress 2) Regulating Commerce- Constitution gives power to regulate interstate and foreign trade to Congress. This includes laws dealing with air traffic, railroads, trucking, radio, TV, air pollution, and the stock market 3) Foreign Relations and Treaties- Only Congress can declare war. Congress has power to create, maintain, and oversee an army and navy. The Senate must approve any treaties President makes with other countries.

The Powers of Congress B. Non-legislative Powers 1) Power of Approval and Removal- a) Senate has power to reject President’s nominees for high raking officials, including Supreme Court nominees. b) House also has right to remove, or impeach, any official who has committed a serious wrongdoing. The Senate acts as the jury needing 2/3 vote to take official out of office. 2) Oversight and Investigation- allows Congress to oversee all government activity.

The Powers of Congress C. Limits on Power Our Constitution explains what our government can and cannot do, like limit the freedoms granted to us. writ of habeas corpus - court order that requires police and courts to explain why someone is being detained. This cannot be suspended by law enforcement. bills of attainder - Congress can not pass any laws that punish people without a jury trial. ex post facto laws - protects people from being accused of a crime before a law about that crime has been made.

How Congress Works A. Requirements and Benefits of Congress 1) Requirements to become a Senator a) at least 30 years old b) live in state you plan to represent c) a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years before being elected 2) Requirements to become member of House of Reps a) at least 25 years old c) a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years before being elected 3) Annual salary = $165,200 4) Free office space, parking, trips back to home state 5) Franking privilege-send mail without paying postage 6) Nearly ½ are lawyers - almost all have college degree

How Congress Works B. Members of Congress at Work -3 Major Jobs 1) Lawmaking- making laws 2) Casework- helping people with specific items in their districts 3) Helping their District or State- protects interests of district and/or state

How a Bill Becomes a Law A. Types of Bills 1) Private Bill- concern individual people or places 2) Public Bill- entire nation. Ex-taxes, rights, terrorism B. From Bill to Law 1) Committees a) pass bill without changes b) mark up bill to make changes before vote c) replace original with new alternative d) ignore bill and let it die (called “pigeonholing” bill) e) kill the bill outright with majority vote

How a Bill Becomes a Law 2) Floor Debate- when bills reach floor of House and Senate, members argue their pros and cons. In House a time limit is set, but in Senate no limit for debate a) filibuster- method of delaying a vote by talking until bill sponsor retracts bill proposal b) cloture- 3/5 vote to end a filibuster (rare)

How a Bill Becomes a Law 3) Voting on a Bill- Constitution requires that the bill must pass in exact form in both House and Senate a) Voice vote- “yea” or “no” b) Standing vote- stand up for side you support c) Roll-call vote- your name is called out, you respond with your vote

How a Bill Becomes a Law 4) Presidential Action- after bill is approved by Congress, goes to President. Options are: a) Sign Bill into law b) Veto- refuse to sign c) Pocket Veto- do nothing for 10 days. If Congress is in session, it becomes law without signature. If Congress is out of session, the bill is vetoed d) Congress override veto by 2/3 vote of each house