Legislative Branch

CONGRESS Congress is in charge of the Legislative Branch – BICAMERAL: Made up of two houses 1.House of Representatives - Representation is based on population 2.Senate - Representation is equal (2 per state)

Qualifications and Terms

Unit 11 W-T-L 1.Why are the qualifications for Senators more rigid than for the House of Representatives?

Congressional Districts If a state has more than one representative, district lines are drawn. – Determined every 10 years by the CENSUS All districts must have the same number of CONSTITUENTS (voters).

GERRYMANDERING: Drawing of odd shaped districts to skew representation. – This is gives one group of people (political party, race, socioeconomic status, etc.) an unfair advantage – This is illegal

North Carolina Congressional Districts

NC Representatives Senator Richard Burr Senator Kay Hagan Representative Virginia Foxx (District 5) Representative Patrick McHenry (District 10)

Congressional Leaders The party with the most members is the majority party. The party with the least members is the minority party. Floor leaders: Chief spokesperson for their party Party whip: Keeps track of voting attendance and party loyalty.

Write-To-Learn 2. Why are representatives encouraged to vote in favor of their political party?

Majority Floor Leader: Eric Cantor Minority Floor Leader: Nancy Pelosi M ajority Whip: Kevin McCarthy Minority Whip: Steny Hoyer HOUSEOFREPSHOUSEOFREPS

Majority Floor Leader: Harry Reid Minority Floor Leader: Mitch McConnell Majority Whip: Richard Durbin Minority Whip: John Cornyn SENATESENATE

Congressional Leaders continued… Speaker of the House: Leader of the House of Representatives. – John Boehner (R) from OH According to the constitution, the vice-president is the leader of the Senate. – Joseph Biden (D) from CA President pro tempore: Day to day leader of the Senate. – Patrick Leahy (D) from VT » age 73, served 39 years

Perks Franking Privilege Free trips to home state Great life insurance and medical benefits $174,000 salary (for regular member) – 193,400 for Congressional Leaders – 223,500 for Speaker of the House

Punishments Expulsion – James Traficant OH 2002 James Traficant OH 2002 Censure – Charles Rangel NY 2010 Charles Rangel NY 2010 Reprimand – Joe Wilson SC 2009 Joe Wilson SC 2009

Congressional Committees Discuss, research, and revise bills. – “Congress at work”. – 90% of bills die in committee 1.Standing: Permanent committees specializing in a certain area. Divided into subcommittees. 2.Select: Temporary committees formed to complete a task. 3.Joint: Members of both houses meet together. pg181

Committee Membership Seniority system: Desirable positions are given to those members who have served the longest. Majority party has the majority on all committees.

How a Bill Becomes a Law Where do bills come from?? – Grassroots – President – Special interest groups (M.A.A.D.) Only Senator/Representative can present

Stepping Stone Project

Stepping Stones You are assigned a step in the process of how a bill becomes a law Create a stepping stone that has a visual symbol of your step. – Some people may need to create several stones On the back of your stone, explain how your step works in your own words

How a Bill Becomes a Law continued Step 1: Introduction – In the House of Reps., a bill is dropped into the “hopper” box and assigned to a committee. – In the Senate, a senator submits a bill to the clerk for a reading and committee assignment.

How a Bill Becomes a Law continued Step 2: Committee Action – They can reject the bill immediately. – They can pigeonhole a bill. (Set it aside). – They can research and approve the bill. – They can change any and all aspects of a bill. Can add to it: – Pork-barrel appropriation (“bringing home the bacon”) – Riders – Earmarks

How a Bill Becomes a Law continued Step 3: Floor Debates – Representatives in the house have a time limitation. – Senators can filibuster a bill. (Talk it to death). – Cloture: Limit the time senators may talk. Requires a 3/5 vote. Step 4: Voting – Must have a simple majority (51%) for the bill to continue Otherwise it dies

How a Bill Becomes a Law continued Step 5: Sent to other house of Congress – Step 6: Committee Action (again) – Step 7: Floor Debates (again) – Step 8: Voting (again) Step 9: Conference Committee – Members of both houses meet to make a single version of a bill. Step 10: Final Vote – Both houses must vote to approve the final draft

Step 11: Presidential Action A.Sign a bill into law. = Process is done! B.Veto a bill (reject). = Back to Congress C.Pocket veto: Take no action for 10 days. Congress is in session after 10 days = the bill becomes a law and process is done Congress is not in session after 10 days = the bill is rejected and process is done How a Bill Becomes a Law continued

Step 12 (Sometimes) – If the president chooses to veto the bill, it goes back to Congress – They vote to decide if they want to override the veto and pass the law without the president’s approval Requires a 2/3 majority to override

Step 11 (?) Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9 Step 10

School House Rocks!! f4baab7/Im-Just-a-Bill f4baab7/Im-Just-a-Bill