Legislative Review

Bill- a proposal that will make law if passing both housesBill- a proposal that will make law if passing both houses Veto- Presidents chance to not pass a bill passed by the legislatureVeto- Presidents chance to not pass a bill passed by the legislature

Ratify- to approve a measureRatify- to approve a measure Confirmation – the Senates duty to approve or reject presidential nominationsConfirmation – the Senates duty to approve or reject presidential nominations

Kill- to defeat a bill in committeeKill- to defeat a bill in committee Checks and Balances- constitutional design to keep 3 branches from gaining to much powerChecks and Balances- constitutional design to keep 3 branches from gaining to much power

Mark-up- meeting in committee to review and amend a bill if necessaryMark-up- meeting in committee to review and amend a bill if necessary Capitol Hill the area of the capital which houses both houses of congressCapitol Hill the area of the capital which houses both houses of congress

Whip- leaders assistant whose primary job is to secure votes on the floorWhip- leaders assistant whose primary job is to secure votes on the floor Impeach- formal charges against an elected officialImpeach- formal charges against an elected official

Legislative Powers Legislature- main power is to make lawsLegislature- main power is to make laws Expressed Powers- powers explicitly in the ConstitutionExpressed Powers- powers explicitly in the Constitution Inherent Powers- powers by reasonable deduction from expressed powersInherent Powers- powers by reasonable deduction from expressed powers

Terms Representatives- serve a term of two yearsRepresentatives- serve a term of two years Senators- serve a term of six yearsSenators- serve a term of six years

Senate Term of office: 6 years Term of office: 6 years Qualifications: Qualifications: 30 years old 30 years old 9 years a citizen of the U.S. 9 years a citizen of the U.S. Resident of the represented state Resident of the represented state

House of Representatives Term: 2 years Term: 2 years Qualifications Qualifications 25 years old 25 years old 7 years as a U.S. citizen 7 years as a U.S. citizen Resident of represented state Resident of represented state

Senate Number of Senators: 100 Number of Senators: 100 Head of the Senate: U.S. Vice President Head of the Senate: U.S. Vice President Day to day head of Senate: President Pro Tempore Day to day head of Senate: President Pro Tempore Power: Decides committee members and order bill are debated. Power: Decides committee members and order bill are debated.

ELASTIC CLAUSE The necessary and proper clause gives Congress the power to make laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the delegated duties The necessary and proper clause gives Congress the power to make laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the delegated duties Also known as the ‘elastic clause’ it stretches the power given Congress Also known as the ‘elastic clause’ it stretches the power given Congress

House Leaders Speaker of the House- elected leader of the house, always from majority partySpeaker of the House- elected leader of the house, always from majority party Leader of Senate- Vice PresidentLeader of Senate- Vice President President Pro Tempore- leader in absence of Vice PresidentPresident Pro Tempore- leader in absence of Vice President

House of Representatives Membership The number of Representatives each state can elect is based on the size of that state’s population.The number of Representatives each state can elect is based on the size of that state’s population. Each state has at least 1 Representative.Each state has at least 1 Representative. 435 total Representatives.435 total Representatives. Every 10 years, after the census is taken, Congress determines how the seats in the House are to be apportioned, or distributed.Every 10 years, after the census is taken, Congress determines how the seats in the House are to be apportioned, or distributed. Florida has 25 representativesFlorida has 25 representatives

Special Powers Powers that only the Senate has: Hold impeachment trials.Hold impeachment trials. Select the vice president when no candidate has sufficient votes.Select the vice president when no candidate has sufficient votes. Approve treaties.Approve treaties. Approve high officials. (Cabinet Members, Supreme Court Justices, and Ambassadors).Approve high officials. (Cabinet Members, Supreme Court Justices, and Ambassadors).

Step 1: An Idea for a Bill Sources:

The House Rules Committee and Select Committees The House Rules Committee The House Rules Committee The Rules Committee decides whether and under what conditions the full House will consider a measure.The Rules Committee decides whether and under what conditions the full House will consider a measure. This places great power in the Rules Committee, as it can speed, delay, or even prevent House action on a measure.This places great power in the Rules Committee, as it can speed, delay, or even prevent House action on a measure. The Select Committees Select committees are panels established to handle a specific matter and usually exist for a limited time. Select committees are panels established to handle a specific matter and usually exist for a limited time. Most select committees are formed to investigate a current matter.Most select committees are formed to investigate a current matter.

Joint and Conference Committees A joint committee is one composed of members of both houses.A joint committee is one composed of members of both houses. Examples of joint committees include the Joint Economic Committee, the Joint Committee on Printing, and the Joint Committee on the Library of CongressExamples of joint committees include the Joint Economic Committee, the Joint Committee on Printing, and the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress A conference committee —a temporary, joint body—is created to iron out differences between bills passed by the House and Senate before they are sent to the President.A conference committee —a temporary, joint body—is created to iron out differences between bills passed by the House and Senate before they are sent to the President.