1. Legislative Branch
SS.7.C.3.3 – Illustrate the structure and function of the 3 branches of government
SS.7.C.3.8 – Analyze the structure, function, and processes of the 3 branches of government

2. The Parts of the U.S. Constitution (refer to your freedom documents pgs. 17 – 46)
It has 3 main parts
Preamble
Articles
Article I - VII
Amendments
27 of them
First 10 are the Bill of Rights

3. Three Branches of Government

4. Understanding the Legislative Branch – Article I of the U. S
Understanding the Legislative Branch – Article I of the U.S. Constitution
Section 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
NO Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

5. Understanding the Legislative Branch – Article I of the U. S
Understanding the Legislative Branch – Article I of the U.S. Constitution
The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Section 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

6. You Do – “Congress in a Flash”
Create a Venn diagram on the Senate and House of Representatives

7. 3-2-1 Exit Ticket (On a separate sheet of paper to turn in)
3 Things that both the Senate and House of Rep have in common
2 Things that are different
1 Question you still have

8. Powers of Congress
Day 2

9. 3-Column Note-taking Chart
Enumerated/Expressed Powers
Implied Powers
Non-Legislative Powers
Take notes from the PowerPoint and Textbook

10. Powers of Congress
We know that Congress can make laws, but what other things can Congress do under the Constitution????

11. Enumerated/Expressed Powers
SPECIFICALLY listed in the Constitution
There are 18 clauses listing powers specifically given to Congress.
Examples:
The power to tax
The power to coin money
To declare war
The power to make laws on trade
The power to create an army and navy
To regulate naturalization laws

12. Implied Powers Powers NOT WRITTEN in the Constitution, but suggested
Necessary and Proper Clause
Elastic Clause
Powers Congress needs in order to conduct its business
See Textbook pg. for examples to add to your notes

13. Non-Legislative Powers
Those powers not having to do with making laws
Read pg. and add to your notes

14. “You Do” Assignment
All superheroes have powers. Think of a comic book character that comes to mind.
Choose one of the implied or expressed powers & make a Congressional superhero character.
In a well-written essay explain the character and how his/her power is important!
Cite evidence in your essay (Explain the actual powers of Congress)!
Then, think of a villain. How is this power going to defeat the villain?
Create a sketch/drawing of your superhero.

15. How a bill becomes a law Day 3

16. The bill starts as someone’s idea
The bill starts as someone’s idea. That person writes a letter to his Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives (or Senate). The Representative researches the idea and writes the bill (rough draft of a law).
The Bill Begins

17. The Representative is excited about the bill and decides to sponsor it
The Representative is excited about the bill and decides to sponsor it. He talks with other Representatives about the bill in hopes of getting their support for it.
Step 1: The Proposal

18. Step 2: The Introduction
The Representative will introduce the bill by placing it in a special box called the hopper. The bill is assigned a special number, starting with H.R.
The bill is read to all the Representatives and the Speaker of the House (Paul Ryan) sends the bill to one of the House standing committees.
Step 2: The Introduction

19. Each committee is made up of Representatives who are experts on topics like agriculture, education, or international relations.
The committee members discuss the bill, make changes, and then vote to accept or reject the changes. If they like it, it gets sent to the whole House for a floor debate. If not, it stops there.
Step 3: The Report

20. The Representatives discuss the bill and explain why they agree or disagree with it. Then, the bill is read section by section and the Representatives suggest more changes to it. Now the bill is ready to be voted on.
Step 4: The Floor Debate

21. Representatives vote on the bill electronically by clicking yes, no, or present.
If a majority of the Representatives click yes, then the bill passes in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Step 5: The Vote

22. The bill is sent to the U. S
The bill is sent to the U.S. Senate where it goes through many of the steps it went through in the House. The bill is discussed in a Senate committee and then the Senate votes on the bill by voice. Those who support the bill say “yea” (yes) and those who oppose it say “nay” (no). If a majority of the Senate approves it, it is ready to go to the President.
Step 6: The Delivery

23. When the bill reaches the President, he has 3 choices:
He can sign and pass the bill
He can refuse to sign, or veto, the bill
He can do nothing and pocket veto the bill
Step 7: To the President!

24. Yay! He’s now a law!
Oh no, he was vetoed! Is this as far as bill can go?

25. *Congress can override a veto if there are enough votes (2/3 of Congress) to do so.

26. “You Do” (Choose 1 option to complete)
Bill to Law Comic Strip
Pending Legislation
You will use your notes and supplemental information to create a comic strip explaining how a bill becomes a law
Use 10 – 12 panels in your comic strip
Draw pictures to illustrate each step of the process
Add text that explains each step
Add a title at the top
Use
Track bills that are currently under discussion and debate in Congress
Select two bill that interest you and investigate further.
Get handout from me
“You Do” (Choose 1 option to complete)

27. Mini-Quiz on Legislative Branch
Use Self-Evaluation Symbols as you complete
$ = “I can bet a million bucks I got it right”
½ = “I eliminated at least 2 answer choices before I chose my answer”
 = “I have no idea what the answer is”
Mini-Quiz on Legislative Branch