THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Government, Unit 2 Mr. Dowsett

VOCABULARY OF THE CONGRESS Term—lasts for two years, are numbered consecutively Term—lasts for two years, are numbered consecutively First Congress began on March 4, 1789 First Congress began on March 4, 1789 Time between switching Congresses was specified in the Constitution due to the needs of communication and travel Time between switching Congresses was specified in the Constitution due to the needs of communication and travel Eventually, modern conveniences allowed the transition to take place more efficiently and in a shorter amount of time leading to… Eventually, modern conveniences allowed the transition to take place more efficiently and in a shorter amount of time leading to… The passage of the 20 th amendment The passage of the 20 th amendment Session—period of time each year in which Congress conducts its business Session—period of time each year in which Congress conducts its business Two sessions for each term of Congress—one a year Two sessions for each term of Congress—one a year

VOCABULARY OF THE CONGRESS Adjourn—suspend action until next session Adjourn—suspend action until next session 20 th Amendment, Section 2— 20 th Amendment, Section 2— “The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.” At some points in history, Congress has met for about five months of the year, but today it is much more frequent At some points in history, Congress has met for about five months of the year, but today it is much more frequent Neither house may adjourn without consent of the other Neither house may adjourn without consent of the other Under the Constitution (Article II, Section 3), the President has the power of prorogue, or end a session, only in the houses do not agree on a day to adjourn Under the Constitution (Article II, Section 3), the President has the power of prorogue, or end a session, only in the houses do not agree on a day to adjourn President may also call special sessions President may also call special sessions

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES House members are apportioned—distributed among states based on population House members are apportioned—distributed among states based on population All states are guaranteed at least one seat—seven states today only have one All states are guaranteed at least one seat—seven states today only have one The territories of the United States also select members to represent them in the House The territories of the United States also select members to represent them in the House Reapportionment—redistribute the seats Reapportionment—redistribute the seats Happens once every ten years in alignment with the census Happens once every ten years in alignment with the census Reapportionment Act of 1929— Reapportionment Act of 1929— Permanent size of the House set at 435, unless Congress wants to change it Permanent size of the House set at 435, unless Congress wants to change it Also led to gerrymandering Also led to gerrymandering /americas-most-gerrymandered-congressional-districts/ /americas-most-gerrymandered-congressional-districts/ /americas-most-gerrymandered-congressional-districts/ /americas-most-gerrymandered-congressional-districts/

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Formal Qualifications: Formal Qualifications: 25 years of age 25 years of age Must have been a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years Must have been a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years Must be an inhabitant of the State from which he or she is elected Must be an inhabitant of the State from which he or she is elected Custom holds that he or she also live in the district they represent, but not a formal requirement Custom holds that he or she also live in the district they represent, but not a formal requirement Majority rule can refuse a seat to an elected House member Majority rule can refuse a seat to an elected House member Only ever ousted 5 members Only ever ousted 5 members

SENATE Two members per state Two members per state 50 states x 2 members = 100 senators 50 states x 2 members = 100 senators Originally appointed by state legislatures, but after the 17 th amendment, they are chosen by voters Originally appointed by state legislatures, but after the 17 th amendment, they are chosen by voters Only one senator is voted on per election Only one senator is voted on per election This creates the continuous body—all seats are never up for election at the same time This creates the continuous body—all seats are never up for election at the same time

SENATE Formal Qualifications: Formal Qualifications: 30 years of age 30 years of age Must have been a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years Must have been a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years Must be an inhabitant of the State from which he or she is elected Must be an inhabitant of the State from which he or she is elected Like the House, they may exclude a member by majority vote Like the House, they may exclude a member by majority vote Has happened 15 times—all prior to or during the Civil War Has happened 15 times—all prior to or during the Civil War

TERM LIMITS 2 years for members of the House 2 years for members of the House 6 years for members of the Senate 6 years for members of the Senate There is no limit to the number of terms any member of Congress may serve—but their re-election is NOT guaranteed There is no limit to the number of terms any member of Congress may serve—but their re-election is NOT guaranteed Salary— Salary— What do you think they get paid? What do you think they get paid? The current salary for all senators and members is $174,000 The current salary for all senators and members is $174,000 The salary for the speaker is $223,500 and the salary for the majority and minority leaders is $193,400 The salary for the speaker is $223,500 and the salary for the majority and minority leaders is $193,400 Seem like fair compensation? Seem like fair compensation?

PASSING BILLS Each year, upwards of 10,000 bills can be presented to Congress (one or both houses), but only 10% of them pass (except for this Congress – it’s less) Each year, upwards of 10,000 bills can be presented to Congress (one or both houses), but only 10% of them pass (except for this Congress – it’s less) What does the process of passing a bill look like? What does the process of passing a bill look like? Most bills do not begin their journey to becoming laws in Congress— most start somewhere in the executive branch Most bills do not begin their journey to becoming laws in Congress— most start somewhere in the executive branch Some do originate in Congress Some do originate in Congress Article 1, Section 7, Clause 1 states: Article 1, Section 7, Clause 1 states: “All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other Bills.” Some originate with constituents/voters Some originate with constituents/voters

PASSING BILLS Two types of bills: Two types of bills: Public—apply to nation as a whole Public—apply to nation as a whole Private—only apply to certain persons or places Private—only apply to certain persons or places Three types of resolutions: Three types of resolutions: Joint—a proposal for some action that has the force of law when passed; usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters Joint—a proposal for some action that has the force of law when passed; usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters Concurrent—a statement of position on an issue, adopted by the House and Senate acting jointly; does not have the force of law, and does not require the President’s signature Concurrent—a statement of position on an issue, adopted by the House and Senate acting jointly; does not have the force of law, and does not require the President’s signature Resolution—a measure dealing with some matter in one house; does not have the force of law, does not require the President’s signature Resolution—a measure dealing with some matter in one house; does not have the force of law, does not require the President’s signature Bills and resolutions usually deal with one subject Bills and resolutions usually deal with one subject Riders—attachment dealing with an “unrelated matter” Riders—attachment dealing with an “unrelated matter” Provision not likely to pass on its own merit, so attached to something that is certain to pass Provision not likely to pass on its own merit, so attached to something that is certain to pass “Ride” through the legislation process “Ride” through the legislation process

PASSING BILLS In the Senate: In the Senate: Senators can use the power of filibuster – stalling tactic in which a minority of senators seek to delay or prevent Senate action on a measure Senators can use the power of filibuster – stalling tactic in which a minority of senators seek to delay or prevent Senate action on a measure The threat of a filibuster can work at times The threat of a filibuster can work at times Cloture can prevent debate and filibusters on measures – it limits the amount of debate time to 30 hours after it is enacted (by a very specific process) Cloture can prevent debate and filibusters on measures – it limits the amount of debate time to 30 hours after it is enacted (by a very specific process) Committees sift through the thousands of bills proposed at each session—help to break up the work load Committees sift through the thousands of bills proposed at each session—help to break up the work load Subcommittees can form to help sift through things further, especially very specific issues Subcommittees can form to help sift through things further, especially very specific issues Discharge petition enables members to force a bill that has remained in committee for 30 days to come to the floor for consideration (seldom used or successful) Discharge petition enables members to force a bill that has remained in committee for 30 days to come to the floor for consideration (seldom used or successful)

PASSING BILLS Last step for a bill is the president’s signature or veto—four possibilities Last step for a bill is the president’s signature or veto—four possibilities President signs the bill and it becomes a law President signs the bill and it becomes a law Veto—refuse to sign the bill Veto—refuse to sign the bill Allow bill to become law by not signing it or acting on it after ten days Allow bill to become law by not signing it or acting on it after ten days If congress adjourns and the president does nothing in ten days, then the bill dies If congress adjourns and the president does nothing in ten days, then the bill dies Congress can overturn a veto by 2/3 vote in both houses Congress can overturn a veto by 2/3 vote in both houses What bills are currently up for debate? What bills are currently up for debate?