1. Did the polls accurately predict the outcomes of the Iowa primaries? Iowa New Hampshire S. Carolina Nevada Monday, February 1: Iowa caucuses (both parties) Tuesday, February 9: New Hampshire Saturday, February 20: Nevada Democratic caucuses S. Carolina Republican primary Tuesday, February 23: Nevada Republican caucuses Saturday, February 27: S. Carolina Democratic primary PBS News Hour What now?

2. 1.What happens when you reapportion? 2.How often is that done? 3.Why is it done? 4.What study proceeds this process? 5.What does it mean to “gerrymander” a congressional district?

3. Congressional Qualifications and Structure

4. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SENATE SIZE TERM LENGTH ELECTION DATE MINIMUM AGE LENGTH OF CITIZENSHIP RESIDENCY METHOD OF ELECTION Fill in the blanks

5. CONGRESS House of Representatives 435 members 435 members 2 year terms 2 year terms Tuesday after 1 st Monday in November every even-numbered year Tuesday after 1 st Monday in November every even-numbered year 25+ years old 25+ years old 7 years a citizen 7 years a citizen Resident of State Resident of State Popular Vote Popular Vote Senate 100 members 100 members 6 year terms 6 year terms Tuesday after 1 st Monday in November every even- numbered year Tuesday after 1 st Monday in November every even- numbered year 30+ years old 30+ years old 9 years a citizen 9 years a citizen Resident of State Resident of State THEN, State Legislature chooses THEN, State Legislature chooses NOW by Popular Vote NOW by Popular Vote

6. House of Representatives Headed by the Speaker of the House Headed by the Speaker of the House On the opening day of a new term, it reorganizes—electing that term’s Speaker of the House, a member of the majority party. On the opening day of a new term, it reorganizes—electing that term’s Speaker of the House, a member of the majority party. Has the power to impeach —bring charges against the President or Vice President for wrong-doing Has the power to impeach —bring charges against the President or Vice President for wrong-doing Only the House can propose a bill to increase/decrease taxes. Only the House can propose a bill to increase/decrease taxes.

7. Senate President of the Senate is the President of the Senate is the Vice President of the United States Daily leadership Daily leadership President pro tempore Senate must confirm treaties and presidential appointments by 2/3 vote. Senate must confirm treaties and presidential appointments by 2/3 vote.

8. Senate A continuous body and does not reorganize at the beginning of a new term— only 33 Senators (1/3) are elected every two years. Allows for filibuster—unlimited control of the floor to prevent debate or voting on a bill. A filibuster can only be ended with a cloture vote—60 votes to pass.

9. Committees in Congress Congress creates committees to help divide up the work load. Congress creates committees to help divide up the work load. Standing committees are usually staffed and headed by members chosen on seniority basis. Standing committees are usually staffed and headed by members chosen on seniority basis. 90% of bills die here Committee chairpersons are also usually chosen based on seniority. Committee chairpersons are also usually chosen based on seniority.

10. Types of Committees Standing Committees Standing Committees Permanent committees created by each chamber to evaluate and refine or reject bills AND hold investigatory hearings on problems that Congress must address. 90% of all bills die here. Permanent committees created by each chamber to evaluate and refine or reject bills AND hold investigatory hearings on problems that Congress must address. 90% of all bills die here. Joint Committees Joint Committees Made up of members from BOTH the House and the Senate. Some are permanent, some temporary. Made up of members from BOTH the House and the Senate. Some are permanent, some temporary. Conference Committees (Third House) Conference Committees (Third House) Made up of members from BOTH the House and the Senate to create a compromise bill both can accept and send to the President. Made up of members from BOTH the House and the Senate to create a compromise bill both can accept and send to the President.

11. Congress and Congressional Powers What the Constitution says Congress has the power to do

12. Powers of Congress One of the EXPRESSED powers of Congress is: The power to collect taxes and pay debts The power to collect taxes and pay debts Expressed powers are written in the constitution.

13. Powers of Congress Another EXPRESSED power of Congress is: The power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. Known as the COMMERCE CLAUSE

14. Powers of Congress Congress has the power to borrow money and accumulate national debt And this power is not limited by any government agency—no limits on this debt can be set by the executive branch. And this power is not limited by any government agency—no limits on this debt can be set by the executive branch. Only the House has the power to propose a bill to raise taxes or borrow. Only the House has the power to propose a bill to raise taxes or borrow.

15. Powers of Congress Congress has the power to participate in foreign relations Congress has the power to participate in foreign relations Congress shares this power with the President Congress shares this power with the President All treaties the President makes with another country must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the SENATE. All treaties the President makes with another country must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the SENATE.

16. Powers of Congress ONLY Congress has the power to ONLY Congress has the power to DECLARE WAR DECLARE WAR and raise an army

17. Powers of Congress Congress also has Congress also has NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS The power to propose amendments to the Constitution The power to propose amendments to the Constitution The sole power to impeach The sole power to impeach The SENATE must confirm Presidential appointments to the President’s Cabinet, of federal officers, and Supreme Court nominees. The SENATE must confirm Presidential appointments to the President’s Cabinet, of federal officers, and Supreme Court nominees.

18. Powers of Congress Congress also has IMPLIED POWERS Congress also has IMPLIED POWERS In the case of McCulloch v. Maryland the Supreme Court gave Congress the power to do anything reasonably related to carrying out its expressed powers. Over time, its willingness to use these implied powers has continued to grow.