The Legislative Branch Congress

The House of Representatives Qualifications A representative must be at least 25 years old. must have been a United States citizen for at least seven years. Must be a legal resident of the state and district he/she represents. Is elected to a two year term with no term limits. There are 435 members at least one from each state. Number is based on the Census.

The Senate Qualifications A Senator Must be at least 30 years old. Must be a citizen at least nine years Must be a legal resident of the state where elected Is elected to a Six year term There are 100 members each state has two members. One/third of the Senate is elected every two years.

Leadership in Congress There are a variety of committees and groups decide what bills come to the floor of each House. The House of Representative is lead by the Speaker of the House The Senate by the Vice-President in the absence of the VP it is lead by the President pro tempore

Powers of Congress Delegated Powers Collect taxes to pay for the cost of the federal government Regulate trade with foreign nations Regulate trade and industry among the states Declare war and make peace Raise armed forces to defend our nation Establish post offices and roads Print and coin money Make rules about naturalization and immigration Govern the District of Columbia Admit new states Borrow money Establish a system of courts To Impeach and remove Federal Officials

Powers of Congress Implied Powers “The Elastic Clause” To make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the delegated powers To “provide for the general welfare” of the United States

Powers of House of Representatives Special Powers The House of Representatives Only the House can start the impeachment process All bills for raising money must start in the House. If no candidate for President receives the number of votes needed to be elected, the members of the House choose the President

Powers of the Senate Special Powers of the Senate In impeachment trials members of the Senate serve as the Jury. Elects the Vice-President if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes. All treaties, or written agreements, with foreign nations must be approved by the Senate by a two/thirds vote Certain high officials and Judges appointed by the President must be approved by a majority of the Senate.

How a Bill becomes a Law A Representative Or Senator Introduces the Bill Clerk of the House/Senate Reads the bill’s title and gives it a # Speaker of the House Presiding Officer of the Senate - Sends the bill to the Proper Committee Committee – Edits, Amends, rewrites, kills Or approves then sends the Bill to the Floor Floor – The Bill is debated amended Killed, passed and Sent to the other house The Same process Takes place in the Other House Conference Committee The wording of a bill Must be identical In each house. If Not it is sent here Then both houses Must vote on the Final version. Sent to the President to Approve or Veto If approved it Becomes Law It Vetoed Sent back to Congress Congress can Over- Ride President’s Veto with a 2/3’s Majority vote of both Houses. If passes, it Becomes Law