Legislative Branch of the Federal Government

 535 is the magic number (This is the total membership in the U.S. Congress.)  The framers intended to make the Legislative branch more powerful than any other branch.  Each term of congress begins on Janurary1st of odd numbered years. For example, the 112 th term started in January of  Each term is given a number to identify it  The Congress currently in session is the 112 th

 Typical session  Typical sessions are from January until November or December.  Congress may also meet in times of crisis  A joint session is when both houses of Congress meet; this usually occurs when the President gives his yearly State of the Union address.

 House of Representatives  435 voting members  allotted to the states according to population  every 10 years a census, or population count taken by the Census Bureau, adjusts the number of representatives given to each state  each state is divided into congressional districts

 What congressional district do we live in? The 3 rd district  the boundaries are drawn by the state legislatures and must be roughly equal in the number of people, or constituents, in each district  Sometimes gerrymandering may occur, which is when a district is drawn or shaped for political reasons.  For example, is most a of a state’s representatives are Democratic, they might draw the lines so that as many districts as possible have more Democratic voters than Republican voters.  The members of the House of Representatives are closer to their district constituents than the Senate

 Each senator represents his or her state’s interests  Senators serve six- year terms but elections are staggered so that no more than one-third of the senators are up for reelection at any one time.

 Majority and Minority  The party that has more than half of the members is know as the majority party  The remaining party is the minority party  The House of Rep. is lead by the Republican Party and the US Senate is lead by the Democratic Party

 The Speaker of the House (John Boehner- R-OH)  The members of the majority party meet in a caucus, or closed meeting to choose the speaker.  The entire membership of the House then approves the choice  The Speaker is the most powerful person within the H.O.R.  The Speaker steers legislation, is in charge of house debates, and is third in line in the presidential succession 

 the presiding officer is the Vice President of the United States and is called the President of the senate  The president pro tempore, which means “for the time being” is the ceremonial leader  The floor leaders are the most powerful leaders in the senate  

 The floor leaders make sure that the laws Congress passes are in the best interest of their party.  they speak for their parties  push bills along  try to sway votes  Party whips help the floor leaders round up votes and report to the floor leader where things stand

 Types of Committees  Permanent committees are called standing committees.  the senate has 17 standing committees  the house has 19 standing committees  the standing committees cover things like education, veteran affairs, and commerce

 select committees are created to do a special job  for example in 1976 the House formed the Select committee on Assassinations to investigate the assassinations of J.F.K. and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  when the work is done in select committees they are disbanded

 joint committees  include members from both houses  deal with taxation, printing, economics, and the library of Congress  Conference committee  a conference committee helps both houses of Congress agree on details of a proposed law

 Representatives and Senators want to be on committees that affect their districts and states  For example, a representative from a district that is a farm area might want to serve on a agriculture committee  Seniority  the leaders of political parties make committee assignments  they look at expertise, seniority, and members’ preferences, and loyalty to the party

 the chairperson of the committee is normally the person who has the most seniority  the chairperson is one of the most powerful positions in Congress because he or she will  decides when and if a bill will be studied  when a committee will meet and who will serve on a subcommittee

 Section 2 (p )  1. Where are the United States Congress’ expressed powers located in the U.S. Constitution?  2. Please explain how Congress can have powers that are not expressly presented in the Constitution.  3.Please give an example of an implied power that the Congress has.  4. Besides lawmaking, what can Congress do?  5. What are three limitations on Congress’ power?

 1. What are the qualifications to become a U.S. House of Representative? U.S. Senator?  2. What are 3 privileges that a member of Congress receives?  3. What is the purpose of a personal staff?  4. What are the 2 jobs of a member of Congress? Give an example of each.  5. What are two ways a member of Congress can help their district/state?  7. What are pork-barrel projects?

 Expressed Powers- These are powers granted to the Congress in Article I of the U.S. Constitution.  Powers denied to the Congress are things that the Congress cannot do. For example:  Deny us our writ of habeas corpus  Create ex post facto laws  Create bill of attainders

 Impeachment process- this is when the HOR brings articles of impeachment against an elected official. This is when you accuse an official of misconduct.  Approval/Rejection of presidential nominees

 What do the members of Congress do all day?  Two jobs:  Casework  Legislative work

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