The Legislative branch

What is Congress? Congress House Senate Congress makes up the legislative, or law-making branch of the government Bicameral legislature: there are two parts that make up Congress House of Representatives Senate Congress House Senate

House of Representatives Number given to each state is based on population 435 total members The more people in a state, the more representatives Congressional Districts Each state is divided into districts A representative is assigned to each district Two year terms Elected in November of even numbered years No term limits

Senate Each state gets two senators Senators serve six year terms 100 senators in Congress Senators serve six year terms Elections are on a rotating basis, and elections are held every two years (1/3 are elected each time) No term limits

Organization of congress

Terms and Sessions Each Congress is labeled with a number 1789 was Congress number 1 Each term of Congress has two session, or meetings (January 3-August/September) Sometimes special sessions are needed

Organization The House and Senate each have “leaders” House Senate Speaker of the House (elected from majority party) Senate Vice President of US (only votes in a tie) President Pro Tempore: leads in VP’s absence

Political Parties The political party that has more members in each house is known as the majority party The political party that has fewer members is called the minority party

Other Positions Floor Leader: helps guide proposed laws through Congress One for the majority party, and one for the minority party Party Whip: each party has a person who communicates with other members to persuade them to vote for new legislation

Committees Every year, Congress has to consider thousands of bills (possible laws) 6000 in a two year term! Since it’s tough for every Congress member to read every bill, they divide up the work Most of the work of Congress is done in smaller groups, which are called Committees There are five main types of committees Standing Sub Select Joint Conference

Powers of congress

Expressed Powers These are powers specifically given to Congress by the Constitution Financing the government: taxes, loans, printing and coining money Conducting trade and regulating industry: trading with other countries; creating laws for industries Declaring war Impeachment: put federal officials on trial House writes up charges Senate carries out the trial

Implied Powers These are powers not specifically stated in the Constitution, but Congress believes are implied Elastic Clause: belief that Congress has the power to make all laws which are necessary and proper Allows congress to “stretch” its powers in certain situations Helping Citizens Members of Congress perform many services for the people in their home district or state