1. Chapter 6

2. Why are 35-44 year olds more likely to volunteer than other age groups
Focus Question
Why are year olds more likely to volunteer than other age groups

3. Terms of Congress 535 members in the congress
435 Representatives
100 Senators
Branch that represents the people
Term begins January 3rd at noon
(what amendment states this?)
Each term is given a number
Each is divided into 2 sessions

4. Bicameral Legislature
1. House of Representatives
Larger of the 2 houses
Depends on population of each state (Proportional Representation)
2 year term
Unlimited reelection
2. Senate
6 year term
Smaller group
Each state is equal (Equal Representation)
Rotates in 1/3 cycles
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5. Congressional Leaders
Majority party >50% (who is the majority party today?)
Minority party < 50%
Speaker of The House (leader of the House)
Chosen by the House
Has to be the majority party
In charge of the floor debates
Influences ALL house decisions
Senate
Vice President is in charge
Only comes to the senate when there is a tie
Chairperson (president pro tempore leads the floor debates)

6. Committees First step in lawmaking Types Standing Select Joint
Permanent
Each have sub committees
Select
Special jobs
Joint
Both the house and the senate work together
Conference
Helps the house and the senate agree on things

7. Committee Committee assignments depend on: Preference Experience
Loyalty
Sonority
Committees are the first step in the process of lawmaking
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8. Section 2

9. How many times can members of congress be reelected?
Focus Question
How many times can members of congress be reelected?

10. Focus Question
How many members are in congress, how many members are in the house of representatives, how many members are in the senate?

11. Legislative powers Expressed powers Implied powers
Written in the constitution
Necessary and proper clause
Implied powers
Powers not written in the constitution but through the necessary and proper clause
Can change at any time
Most of Congresses Powers are related to law making

12. Expresses Powers 1. Taxing and Spending 2. Regulating Commerce
Collect taxes
All tax bills start in the house
Senate approves the bills
All bills to spend money start in the house
2. Regulating Commerce
Regulate foreign and interstate commerce
Air traffic, railroads, interstates
3. Foreign Relations and Treaties
Only congress can declare war
Create maintain and oversee the militia
Make treaties
4. Impeachment
House brings articles against a person
Senate decides their fate

13. Non legislative Powers
Propose constitutional amendments
2/3 from each house
Counting electoral votes
Can choose a winner if there is not a clear winner
Checks and balances
1. power of approval and removal
Senate can approve and reject presidential nominees for high ranking offices
The house has the sole power of impeachment
Senate then votes
2. oversight and investigation
Overseeing government activities
Departments

14. Limits on Power Congress cant: Favor any one state
Infringe on amendments
Suspend Habeas corpus-
police bring in a person and explain his/her charges
Pass bills of attainder
punishment without a jury trial
Impose ex post facto laws
an act that makes a crime a crime after it has been committed
Infringe on states rights

15. Section 3

16. Focus Question
What are three rights that only congress has?

17. Requirements and Benefits
Senators
30 years old
Live in the state you represent
Be a U.S. citizens for at least 9 years
House of Representatives
25 years old
Be a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years

18. Both Houses Characteristics
50% lawyers
99% college educated
All have served in local or state offices
$165,000 a year as salary
Franking Privileges
Free postal services
Benefits
Immunity
Travel vouchers
Housing privileges
Free meals

19. Congressional staff Congress have staff
Clerks, secretaries, and assistances
1. Personal Staff
Gather info on new bills
Arrange meetings
Write speeches
inters
2. Committee Staff
works for committees
3. Support Services
Library of congress
Congressional budget office

20. Members of Work There are 3 main jobs of congress 1. Lawmaking
Introducing bills
Making laws
2. Casework
Helping home states deal with the government
80,000 s a day
3. Helping the State
Protect the interest of the states

21. Section 4

22. What is a Franking Privilege?
Focus Question
What is a Franking Privilege?

23. Bills and Resolutions
More than 10,000 Bills are introduced into each session of congress
Bills fall into two categories
Private Bills
Individual
Public Bills
Nation
Resolution
Statement that reflects a lawmakers decision
Joint resolution
Both houses sign
Joint Resolutions usually pass

24. From a Bill to a law
Bills can be introduce by both senators and the house
4 step process
1.Committee Action
determines which bills will be heard
2.Floor Debate
Hears bills the committee has passed
Time restrictions
Filibuster
3.Voting on a Bill
Voice
Standing
Approved by both houses
4. Presidential Action
Veto
Pocket veto
Passes
2/3 override