1. What does the Legislative Branch do?
Let’s give it a try…
Take out a sheet of paper
Propose an idea for a new school rule or a change to an existing rule
You will need to do the following:
Write what you are proposing
Give specific reasons why there is a need for this new rule/change
Give justification for why this will be beneficial to the school as a whole (not just yourself)

2. Activity –Congress Graphic Organizer
Complete the graphic organizer comparing the two houses of Congress
For Part 1, use Article I of the Constitution
For Part 2, use the following websites

3. Characteristic
House
Senate
Age 25 30
Citizenship
7 years
9 years
Residency
Resident of the State
Number of Members
435
100
Length of Term
2 years
6 years
Powers
Regulate commerce, declare war, coin money, collect taxes, maintain the army, establish post offices, etc.

4. Congressional Profile
The “average” member of Congress – white male in mid-50’s and upper middle class
Although this is steadily changing, the question of debate has often been…are members truly representative of those that they serve?
4 out of 5 members have college degrees
Considerable political experience

5. Congressional Benefits
Members can set their own pay – sounds good but the problem is voter backlash
Tax deductions for job related expenses
Funding for offices and staff in district/state and in Washington
These benefits end up being worth well over $200,000 a year

6. Congressional Powers
What powers does Congress possess?

7. Article I, Section 8
Due to limited government and federalism, the constitution restricts what Congress can do BUT it does give them specific powers

8. Legislative Powers 1. Power to Tax (Direct and Indirect taxes)
2. Commerce Power – regulate interstate commerce and foreign trade
3. Bankruptcy
4. Foreign Relations and War Powers – shared with the President
5. Postal Power

9. Non - Legislative Powers
Electoral Duties if no one wins the Electoral College
H.R. elects President
Senate elects Vice President

10. Impeachment – H.R. has the sole power to impeach; the Senate has sole power to judge
What’s the difference?
Executive Powers (Senate) – confirmation of appointments and treaties
How is this an example of checks and balances?

11. Implied Powers
The exercise of these powers must be justified and supported by the expressed powers
In other words, if its not written in the Constitution, Congress must argue that it is necessary and proper for them to do to fulfill their Expressed powers.
Therefore, Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 “Necessary and Proper Clause”, aka Elastic Clause

12. Introducing a Bill 1. Where do ideas for laws come from?
Individual citizens, special interest groups, the President, Congressmen, etc.
2. Who introduces these ideas?
Has to be introduced by a member of Congress
3. Describe the process for introducing a bill.
The bill is given a title (H. for House or S. for Senate) and number based on the order in which it was introduced

13. Committee 1. How are bills assigned to committees?
Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee based upon the category of the bill (i.e. bills having to do with transportation go to the Transportation committee)
2. What can committees do with the bill?
When the committee has the bill, they do one of 3 things:
Decide it is not a good idea and vote to kill it
Decide it has merit and agree to study it
Simply decide to ignore it and do nothing with it
3. What goes on during the “mark up” session?
This is where the work happens
Here the committee will hold hearings, interview experts, make changes to the bill, and eventually either kill it or write an official bill to send on

14. Floor Action 1. What happens at this step?
Bills that make it out of committee are presented to the entire body of the House or Senate for debate
There are special rules in each house for debate (H.R. limits debate based upon the rules they set, Senate has unlimited debate which can lead to filibusters)
2. What can be added at this step?
Amendments can be added by any member based upon the rules
This can slow down the process because it changes the bill
3. What happens with the vote?
When it comes time to vote, majority rules unless other rules have been established
If the bill passes, it will move to the other House where the process starts over

15. Final Step 1. What must happen for a bill to become a law?
It must have the exact same language. There can only be one version of the bill
2. Where does a bill go if there are differences?
If each House passes a different version of the bill, then they call a Conference Committee where they work out the differences
3. What options are available to the President?
If a bill passes both houses of Congress, then it goes to the President for approval.
He/She can either sign it into law or veto the bill
4. What can Congress do if a bill is vetoed?
They can either make changes to the bill and try again or they can vote to override the veto and make it a law (requires a 2/3 majority vote)

16. Legislative Process Activity
In your groups, you will use the process cards to match them with the correct step in the legislative process
Fill in your answers on the worksheet
When you finish with the process cards, get the primary source documents from me and do the same thing