Warm UP 9-27 Of all the people who represent you that we researched yesterday, who do you agree with the most? Why is this, use specific positions that both of you support. Limit response to between 20-30 words. When we are all done, we’ll share with a partner

Warm UP 10-5 Share a brief summary of and your reaction to your current event with a partner Then we’ll share as a class

Basics of National Legislative Branch AKA Congress

How many people? 535 total members of congress 100 of those are senators: 2 per state who serve 6 year terms 435 are representatives: determined by population who serve 2 year terms

Major offices and duties Speaker of the House: an elected position voted on by members of the House of Representatives, the current speaker is Paul Ryan (R) Senate President Pro Tempore: appointed by the current President. Leads the Senate when the Vice President is not there, the current Senate Pro Temp is Orrin Hatch (R)

Senate Offices Majority Leader: Mitch McConnell (R) Majority Whip: John Cornyn (R) Minority Leader: Chuck Schumer (D) Minority Whip: Dick Durbin (D)

House Offices Majority Leader: Kevin McCarthy (R) Majority Whip: Patrick McHenry (R) Minority Leader: Nancy Pelosi (D) Minority Whip: Steny Hoyer (D)

How Does Voting Work? First, a representative sponsors a bill. The bill is then assigned to a committee for study. If passed, the bill is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated or amended. If the bill passes by simple majority (218 of 435), the bill moves to the Senate. In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on. Again, a simple majority (51 of 100) passes the bill.

How does voting work cont. Finally, a conference committee made of House and Senate members works out any differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The resulting bill returns to the House and Senate for final approval. The Government Printing Office prints the revised bill in a process called enrolling. The President has 10 days to sign or veto the enrolled bill.

What are the Joint Committees? 1. Joint Budget/Appropriations Reform Committee (Select) 2. Joint Economic Committee 3. Joint Library Committee 4. Joint Pensions Committee (Select) 5. Joint Printing Committee 6. Joint Security and Cooperation Caucus 7. Joint Taxation Committee

Time to Research… Now that you have your numbers, you will research the topic on your own, then share with the class. You must find out the party split on each (within each house) Who is the chair (within each house) What are the specific responsibilities/procedures with this committee (within each house) And 1 fun or interesting fact.