CONGRESS AND THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS (Article I) Bicameral--two bodies Bicameral--two bodies Provides a check on: Provides a check on: emotions emotions power power Different purposes Different purposes House--popular sentiment House--popular sentiment Senate--restraint, advisor to executive, continuity Senate--restraint, advisor to executive, continuity Congress has all legislative power (Sec 1) Congress has all legislative power (Sec 1)
Organization Qualifications Qualifications 25 years old for House and 30 years old for Senate 25 years old for House and 30 years old for Senate 7 years a citizen for house and 9 years for Senate 7 years a citizen for house and 9 years for Senate Live in the state represented Live in the state represented Terms-- 2 years in House and 6 years in Senate Terms-- 2 years in House and 6 years in Senate
Organization Number Number Two Senators per state Two Senators per state At least one representative and number determined by population At least one representative and number determined by population WYOMING CALIFORNIA
House has an elected speaker House has an elected speaker Vice President and President Pro Tempore preside over Senate Vice President and President Pro Tempore preside over Senate Organization (cont.) John Boehner Daniel Inouye Joe Biden
Organization (Cont.) Each house judges its elections (Sec 5) Each house judges its elections (Sec 5) Members protected from Arrest (Sec 6) Members protected from Arrest (Sec 6) Charles Rangle Ted Stevens
Unique Powers of Each Body Power to impeach is vested in House and power to try in Senate (Sec 3) Power to impeach is vested in House and power to try in Senate (Sec 3) Revenue bills initiated in the House Revenue bills initiated in the House Senate approves treaties and presidential appointments Senate approves treaties and presidential appointments
Joint Powers (Article 2, Section 8) Impose taxes Impose taxes Borrow money Borrow money Regulate commerce with nations & among states Regulate commerce with nations & among states
Coin money Coin money Establish weights & measures Establish weights & measures Promote science and the arts Promote science and the arts Joint Powers (Article 2, Section 8)
Establish inferior courts Establish inferior courts Declare war Declare war Govern District of Columbia Govern District of Columbia Joint Powers (Article 2, Section 8)
Make all laws necessary & proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers. (elastic clause) Make all laws necessary & proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers. (elastic clause) Joint Powers (Article 2, Section 8)
Limits on Congress (Article One, Section (9) Can’t suspend habeas corpus Can’t suspend habeas corpus No bills of attainder or ex post facto laws No bills of attainder or ex post facto laws
Can’t Tax goods exported from U.S. Can’t Tax goods exported from U.S. No preference in commerce No preference in commerce No titles of nobility No titles of nobility Limits on Congress (Article One, Section (9)
Limits on States (Article One, Section 10) No treaties, wars, armies No treaties, wars, armies No coining of money No coining of money No bills of attainder or ex post facto laws No bills of attainder or ex post facto laws
No titles of nobility No titles of nobility No laws impairing obligation of contracts No laws impairing obligation of contracts No duties on goods from other states No duties on goods from other states Limits on States (Article One, Section 10)
Differences in House and Senate House--larger size requires House--larger size requires Greater formality Greater formality Stronger leaders Stronger leaders More reliance on committees, specialists More reliance on committees, specialists Limits on debate Limits on debate Senate Senate More like a club More like a club Less influential leaders Less influential leaders
RULES COMMITTEE “EXPERTISE” COMMITTEE Sub-Committee HOUSE BILL HOW DOES CONGRESS DO ITS BUSINESS?
How Does Congress Do Its Business ? (cont.) PRESIDENT’S SIGNATURE Joint Conference Committee HOUSESENATE When agreement has been reached