1. Structure of Legislative Branch
Congress
Bicameral- Has ____ legislative houses
House of _____________- Each state has number of reps based on population (435)
Senate- Each state has ______ senators(100)
two
Representatives
two

2. Legislative Branch Powers
Approve the _______
Declare ______
Make _______
Approve presidential ____________
Coin ________
Control _________
_______ armed forces
Levying _________
budget
war
laws
appointments
money
commerce
Maintain
taxes

3. House and Senate Comparison
Number of
Members
Term
Term Limits
Qualifications
*At least 25 years of age
*U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
*Live in the state they represent
435
2 years
None
*At least 30 years of age
*U.S. citizen for at least 9 years
*Resident of the state they represent
100
6 years
House
Senate

4. Leaders of Congress House of Representatives ________ of the House
Selected from the Political Party that has the majority of members
In charge of almost all the activities of the House
Speaker

5. Leaders of Congress Senate Vice President President Pro ________
Official ____________ of the Senate
President Pro ________
Handles the day to day leadership tasks
Usually the senior member of the majority party
President
Tempore

6. U.S. Census
Every _____ years the __________ of the U.S. is determined by census
Allowed by the U.S. Constitution, Art. 1, Sec. 2
The population numbers are used to determine the number of ______________ each state receives
ten
population
representatives

7. People should be counted where they live and sleep most of the year.
About 2010 Census
What Count The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas.
Who Everyone All residents of the United States must be counted. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens.
When Every 10 years Every 10 years, and the next census occurs in Census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to every household in the United States in March The questions ask you to provide information that is accurate for your household as of April 1, 2010.
The Census Bureau must count everyone and submit state population totals to the U.S. President by December 31, 2010.
The first Census was conducted in 1790 and has been carried out every 10 years since then.
Where Everywhere in the U.S. The census counts everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas.
People should be counted where they live and sleep most of the year.
Why The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 2) mandates a headcount of everyone residing in the United States. The population totals determine each state’s Congressional representation. The numbers also affect funding in your community and help inform decision makers about how your community is changing. More info…
How The Census Bureau will mail or deliver questionnaires to your house in March We will mail a second form to households that do not respond to the initial questionnaire.
Households that still do not respond will be called or visited by a Census worker. (Census workers can be identified by a census badge and bag.)

8. Reapportionment recalculated change number population
After each census the distribution of representatives is ______________ based on the __________ in population in each state
The total __________ of representatives remains the same (435)
The number of representatives a state has is dependent on how its _________________ compares to the other states
recalculated
change
number
population

9. The Legislative Process (How Bill becomes a law)
House of Representatives
Senate
Bill is written
Bill is written

10. Legislative Powers __________Powers
Powers expressly __________ in Art. I (collect taxes, maintain army, make money)
___________ Powers (Elastic Clause)
Powers _________ to carry out expressed powers (i.e. Military Academies, Mints)
Powers needed for the general __________ of the country (Environmental Laws)
Expressed
listed
Implied
necessary
welfare

11. Role of Interest Groups in the legislative process
Representing __________ viewpoints
Make political ________________
Identify and publicize ____________
___________ government officials
___________ legislation
Laws to serve their interest
different
contributions
issues
Lobbying
Propose

12. Legislative Checks over other branches
Ratify _________
Done by the Senate
Approve __________
Appropriate (pay) _____________
Must be introduced by House
___________ a veto
_________ a President and federal judges
treaties
appointments
money
Override
Impeach

13. Limiting the power of the Legislative Branch (Checks and Balances)
Judicial (Supreme Court)
May declare laws unconstitutional
Executive (President)
Vetoes acts of Congress
Calls Congress into special sessions