1. The Legislative branch

2. What is Congress? Congress House Senate
Congress makes up the legislative, or law-making branch of the government
Bicameral legislature: there are two parts that make up Congress
House of Representatives
Senate
Congress
House
Senate

3. House of Representatives
Number given to each state is based on population
435 total members
The more people in a state, the more representatives
Congressional Districts
Each state is divided into districts
A representative is assigned to each district
Two year terms
Elected in November of even numbered years
No term limits

4. Senate Each state gets two senators Senators serve six year terms
100 senators in Congress
Senators serve six year terms
Elections are on a rotating basis, and elections are held every two years (1/3 are elected each time)
No term limits

5. Organization of congress

6. Terms and Sessions Each Congress is labeled with a number
1789 was Congress number 1
Each term of Congress has two session, or meetings (January 3-August/September)
Sometimes special sessions are needed

7. Organization The House and Senate each have “leaders” House Senate
Speaker of the House (elected from majority party)
Senate
Vice President of US (only votes in a tie)
President Pro Tempore: leads in VP’s absence

8. Political Parties
The political party that has more members in each house is known as the majority party
The political party that has fewer members is called the minority party

9. Other Positions
Floor Leader: helps guide proposed laws through Congress
One for the majority party, and one for the minority party
Party Whip: each party has a person who communicates with other members to persuade them to vote for new legislation

10. Committees
Every year, Congress has to consider thousands of bills (possible laws)
6000 in a two year term!
Since it’s tough for every Congress member to read every bill, they divide up the work
Most of the work of Congress is done in smaller groups, which are called Committees
There are five main types of committees
Standing
Sub
Select
Joint
Conference

11. Powers of congress

12. Expressed Powers
These are powers specifically given to Congress by the Constitution
Financing the government: taxes, loans, printing and coining money
Conducting trade and regulating industry: trading with other countries; creating laws for industries
Declaring war
Impeachment: put federal officials on trial
House writes up charges
Senate carries out the trial

13. Implied Powers
These are powers not specifically stated in the Constitution, but Congress believes are implied
Elastic Clause: belief that Congress has the power to make all laws which are necessary and proper
Allows congress to “stretch” its powers in certain situations
Helping Citizens
Members of Congress perform many services for the people in their home district or state