The Legislative Branch The Law-Making Branch The Legislative Branch

Focus Question: How does a system of checks and balances work?

Format of the Constitution Divided into three parts The Preamble Seven Articles Twenty Seven Amendments Drafted in Philadelphia in 1787

The Legislative Branch Congress Outlined in Article I Responsible for making the laws Given broad responsibility Most described branch of government

Bicameral Legislature Congress divided into two chambers House of Representatives Senate Both serve to make laws Check on one another

House of Representatives Proportional Representation 435 members Serve a two-year term Must be: 25 years old Citizen for 7 years Live in State represented

House of Representatives (II) Led by the Speaker of the House Starts all money bills Initiates Impeachment Process

The Senate Equal Representation Serve a six-year term Must be: 100 members Serve a six-year term One-third up for election every two years Must be: 30 years old Citizen for 9 years Live in State represented

The Senate (II) Led by the Vice President (President of the Senate) Responsible for foreign affairs Approve treaties Approve presidential appointments Serve as a jury for impeachment cases Has a filibuster rule

Powers denied Congress Cannot pass: Ex Post Facto laws (actions illegal after committed) Bills of Attainder (Punishment without trial) Cannot suspend habeas corpus (Defendants must be charged)

Assignment Read “What Are Congress’s Constitutional Powers” We the People, pp. 146-47. Complete the Critical Thinking Exercise, answering questions in complete sentences: How would you define “necessary” and “proper”? What are the benefits and dangers of the “necessary and proper” clause, otherwise called the “elastic clause”?

Summary What more would you like to know about the Legislative Branch? Why would you want to learn this about it?