Congress

The Legislative Branch of government. Responsible for making laws for the U.S. Made up of the two “houses” of Congress: The House of Representatives The Senate

Each state has 2 Senators (100 for the country). Senators are elected for 6 years ( S enator = S ix) If you’re elected to the Senate: you’re called a Senator. 3 qualifications to become a Senator: 123 Must be at least 30 years old Must have been a United States citizen for at least 9 years Must live in the state they represent

The House of Representatives If you’re elected to the House of Representatives, you’re called a Representative, and you might say you work at “the House.” The number of Representatives a state has is based on population: States with more people have more Representatives. Each state is divided into “districts” based on this population. Representatives are elected for 2 years ( House of Representatives – 435 total members/19 from Illinois) 3 qualifications to become a Representative: 123 Must be at least 25 years old Must have been a United States citizen for at least 9 years Must live in the state they represent

Duties of Congress Main duty: to make laws (along with the president). Both houses of Congress and the President must approve a new law for it to take effect. Congress can impeach the President and other federal officials (put them on “trial” for doing something wrong). If they’re guilty, they could even remove them from office. May create new Agencies to do a certain job for the government, and decide how much money they get to do this new job.

The Senate also has some additional powers: Approves or disapproves of people appointed by the President to certain positions (like… Supreme Court Justices). Approves or disapproves of official agreements between the United States and other countries.

Congressional Leaders: Senate House of Representatives The Vice-President The Speaker of the House Joe Biden right nowJohn Boehner right now

All the business of Congress: Are recorded in: “The Congressional Record” Important documents will go to the National Archives. General day to day things will be saved on discs.

Among other things, Congress is responsible for making laws

Laws could be made by: towns/cities, states, or the federal government (We’ve been discussing more about how the federal government works) (Senate and House of Representatives) One of the main responsibilities of Congress is to take suggestions, and use them to write “bills.”

How a bill becomes a law Someone has an idea The idea is introduced to either the Senate - or the House of Representatives Goes to the House Sent to a committee of a few Representatives Discussed in committee Hearings are held where the whole House discusses and debates the bill Sent to a committee of a few Senators Discussed in committee Goes to the Senate Hearings are held where the whole Senate discusses and debates the bill If it passes both houses, it goes to the President

If that bill gets to the President: President gets the bill (has 3 choices) 1. Says yes… it becomes a law 2. Vetoes the bill (says “NO”) The bill and the President’s reason for refusal go back to Congress 3. Waits 10 business days and Congress adjourns (ends their meetings) Does not become a law (this is a “pocket veto”) 2/3 of Congress vote to pass it still, it becomes a law Congress could decide it won’t possibly pass and may just “let it go”

The whole process can be a little confusing