Legislative Branch

Standards Cite the formal qualifications for representatives and senators listed in the Constitution Describe the election process for representatives and senators and how the 17th amendment affected them Compare the terms for office for each chamber of Congress and the founders intent Compare and contrast the powers of each chamber of Congress (e.g. power of the purse, 16th amendment, treaties etc.)

Explain the steps in the legislative process Explain the functions of various leadership positions and committees within the legislature Analyze the positive and negative role lobbyists play in the legislative process

Key vocabulary Congress House of Representatives Senate Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore Minority leader Lobbyists Interest Groups Filibuster Political Action Committee (PAC) 17th Amendment Article II Power of the Purse 16th Amendment

Background Information Congress job is to make laws Constitution set up Congress as bicameral House of Representatives (satisfied the Virginia Plan) Senate (satisfied the New Jersey Plan) Congress meets for a 2 year term Each term begins the 3rd day in January of each odd numbered year (i.e. January 3, 2017) Exact date set by the 20th amendment Each term has 2 sessions (official time when Congress assembles)

House of Representatives 435 members Congress sets exact number of members Each state membership decided by state population Every state is guaranteed at least 1 seat Census can change a states allocated number of representatives Each representative serves a 2 year term Keeps them more alert to voter opinions at home No limits on the number of terms they serve

Each state is required to set up districts for representation i.e. a Representative cannot cover the whole state, only a small part Constitution requires: contiguous (all 1 piece), compact (relatively small area), roughly equal population for all districts

Problems with districts… Gerrymandering: drawing a district to benefit the party in power in state legislature Concentrate as many opponent voters in one area Spread opposition out so they can concentrate power Goal is to create “safe” districts for the controlling party

Senate 2 senators per state Originally all senators were selected by their state legislature 17th amendment required all senators to be directly elected by population of the state Serve 6 year term No term limit 1/3 expire every 2 years

House of Representatives Qualifications Qualification House of Representatives Senate Age 25 30 Citizenship 7 years 9 years Residency Must be resident of the state they represent (not formally required to be from their district) Must be resident of the state they represent