1. The Legislative Branch
House of Representatives, Senate, Powers of Congress, The Elastic Clause, Committees

2. House of Representatives
Larger of the two governing bodies, has 435 members
Based on population
Every state has at least one representative
Representatives are elected by the people of their district for 2 year terms
The entire house is up for election every other year
May run for reelection as many times as they want
Leader of the House is called the Speaker of the House
Speaker regulates debates and controls the agenda. The Speaker of the House is next in line after the Vice-President to become President

3. Senate Based on equal representation with two senators for each state
Elected every 6 years but their terms overlap so that one third of the Senate is up for election every 2 years
This way there are always experienced Senators
Elected directly by the people
The Vice-President is the president of the Senate
Casts a vote when there is a tie
Vice President cannot take part in Senate debates

4. Senatorial Positions

5. Powers of Congress
Most important power of Congress is the power to make laws
All laws start as proposals called bills
Article I Section 8 of the Constitution lists other powers of Congress
Examples: power to collect taxes, borrow money, coin money, establish post offices, and more

6. The Elastic Clause
Article I Section 8 Clause 18 states that Congress can “make all laws which shall be necessary and proper” for carrying out specific duties.
This clause is known as the elastic clause because it enables Congress to stretch its powers to deal with the changing needs of the nation

7. Committees Each year, Congress is introduced to 10,000 new bills
It is impossible to study each one, so Congress relies on committees
Standing Committees – permanent committees that deal with a specific topic such as agriculture, business, defense, education, science, transportation, etc.
Members who have served in Congress the longest serve on these committees
Joint Committees – committees made up of both House and Senate members
Ex. Conference Committee – task is to settle differences between the House and Senate versions of the same bill