Congress in Action Background Information Referencing Chapter 10/11

Congress new session every Jan. 3 of odd-numbered years House of Representatives –435 members –2 year terms Senate –100 members –6 year terms

112 th Congress convened Jan. 3, Republicans 192 Democrats 0 Independents 2 Vacancies2 51 Democrats 47 Republicans 2 Independents

Compensation $162,000 annual –Nonmonetary benefits Tax deduction for 2 homes Travel expenses Health/life insurance Medical care Pension + social security Office expenses Franking privilege Working amenities

Powers of Congress Expressed—explicit in Constitution Implied—reasonably deduced Inherent—by creating government Strict v. liberal (or loose) constructionists

Expressed Powers Tax –Not on exports –Direct tax Property, poll, income (capitation) –Indirect tax Federal tobacco, gas taxes paid by supplier Borrow –Public debt –Deficit financing

Expressed Powers Commerce power –Regulate interstate trade –Regulate foreign trade Currency power Bankruptcy laws

Expressed Powers Foreign Relations –Ratify treaties –Regulate immigration Regulate naturalization –Combat terrorism War Powers –Declare war –raise and support armies and navies

Expressed Powers Postal service Patents and Copyrights Standard weights and measures Power over territories

Implied Powers Based on the “necessary and proper clause” The Congress shall have Power - To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Inherent Powers Constitutional amendment Electoral Duties Impeachment Confirmation of Executive appointments Investigations –Committees

Leaders Congressional Organization Leaders House elects a SPEAKER –Presides –Interprets rules –Refers bills to committees –Rules on points of order –Puts motions to vote –3 rd in line to be pres. Senate –Officially led by v-p Doesn’t vote except to break a tie –President pro tempore Senior member of majority party 4 th in line Daniel K. Inouye (HI)

Party Organization Party Caucus or Conference Floor Leaders –Whips

Committees Standing Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Appropriations Armed Services Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Budget Commerce, Science, and Transportation Energy and Natural Resources Environment and Public Works Finance Foreign Relations Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Judiciary Rules and Administration Small Business and Entrepreneurship Veterans' Affairs Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Appropriations Armed Services Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Budget Commerce, Science, and Transportation Energy and Natural Resources Environment and Public Works Finance Foreign Relations Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Judiciary Rules and Administration Small Business and Entrepreneurship Veterans' Affairs

Committees Special, Select, and Other Indian Affairs Select Committee on Ethics Select Committee on Intelligence Special Committee on Aging Indian Affairs Select Committee on Ethics Select Committee on Intelligence Special Committee on Aging Joint Joint Committee on Printing Joint Committee on Taxation Joint Committee on the Library Joint Economic Committee Joint Committee on Printing Joint Committee on Taxation Joint Committee on the Library Joint Economic Committee

Homework How A Bill Becomes A Law Divide the work with your partner: –12.3 – the House p –12.4 – the Senate p Read the chapter –Record notes that describe the progress of a proposal. –Be sure to use all vocab terms

Chapter 12, Section 1 and 2