1. The Legislative Branch
Established by Article I of the US Constitution

2. Just the Basics Bicameral legislature Requirements to Run for Office
Senate: 2 per state
House of Reps: based on population
Requirements to Run for Office
House: at least 25 years old, citizens for 7 years, live in the state and district you would represent
Senate: at least 30 years old, citizen for 9 years, live in the state that you would represent

3. More Basics
2000 Census Map
Census taken every 10 years to determine population (2020 is the next census year)
Used to determine representation in the House of Representatives
Remember back to the Great Compromise!
Redistricting: redrawing political lines to be sure that areas are represented appropriately
Often need changed due to increased growth of an area due to new constructions/ sub-divisions, etc
Gerrymandering: illegal use of redistricting where lines are redrawn to give a group or party unfair amounts of power

4. Gerrymandering

5. Even More Basics
Franking Privilege: Congressmen can send work related mail for free
Committee System
Increases the speed and efficiency of the law making process
Based on seniority system
People who have been in Congress the longest have the best jobs
You get to be a committee chairperson by being on a committee the longest

6. What can Congress Not Do?
Powers Denied to Congress
Passing Bills of Attainder
You can not be punished with out a trial
Suspending the Writ of Habeas Corpus
You must be brought to court and told why you are being held
Passing Ex Post Facto Laws
You can not be charged with something that was not illegal at the time of the action

7. How a Bill Becomes a Law
Only members of the House or Senate can introduce a bill
Once introduced it goes to a committee to be examined and discussed
Rules for the House of Representatives, such as how long a rep. can speak, are set by the House Rules Committee
Senators can speak for an unlimited time, even off topic, in order to delay a vote
Called a Filibuster
Must be ended by a vote for Cloture
limiting debate
60 senators must vote for the motion that limits discussion to 30 hours. After 30 hours it must come to a vote.

8. Vice President Joe Biden
The Senate
Vice President Joe Biden
Vice President of the United States serves at the President of the Senate, and only votes in the case of a tie
The Senate chooses its other officers
Tries all cases of impeachment
Conviction takes 2/3 of the members present agree
Can only remove a convicted official, from office and disqualify him from holding other federal offices
Confirms, or approves, all presidential nominations (a check on the power of the president)

9. Important Positions in Congress
John Boehner
Speaker of the House
Powerful Leader of the House of Representatives who is in charge of debates and who is next in line for the Presidency following the Vice President
President Pro Tempore
Chairperson of the Senate, this Role is largely ceremonial
President of The Senate
The Vice President fills this position. He rarely attends Debates and only votes to break a tie.
Daniel Inouye

10. More Important Positions in Congress
Majority Leader
This person speaks on behalf of the Political party with the most amount of people in the House of Congress. He or she also helps push bill along and tries to sway votes to their side
Minority Leader
This person speaks on behalf of the Minority Political party the House of Congress. He or she also helps push bill along and tries to sway votes to their side
Party Whip
This person keeps Track of where the Party members stand on proposed Legislation. They also round up their colleagues for key votes

11. Vice President/President of the Senate
Order of Power
Write on the right side of guided notes
PRESIDENT
Vice President/President of the Senate
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore
Floor Leaders
Party Whips

12. Leaders of Congress Today
Eric Cantor
(Majority Leader of the House)
Nancy Pelosi
(Minority Leader of the House)
Harry Reid
(Majority Leader of the Senate)
Mitch McConnell
(Minority Leader of the Senate)
Kevin McCarthy
(Majority Whip for the House)
Steny Hoyer
(Minority Whip for the House)
Richard Durbin
(Senate-Democrat)
Jon Kyl
(Senate- Republican)