1. Answer the following questions.
Warm up
Answer the following questions.
DO NOT USE YOUR BOOK!
1. Which branch of government did the founders want to be the most powerful?
2. How were Senators originally elected?
3. What fraction of Senators must run for election every two years?

2. Congressional Membership
House of
Representatives
Senate
Qualifications
P.69 Article I Section 2 Clause2
P.70 Article I Section 3 Clause 3
Number of
members
Term of office
Representation based on:
Salary
Benefits and
Privileges

3. Congressional Membership
House of
Representatives
Senate
Qualifications
Number of
members
Term of office
Representation based on:
Salary (in 2012)
Benefits and
Privileges
25 years old, citizen for 7
years, resident of state
representing
30 years old, citizens for 9
Years, resident of state
representing
435
100
2 years
6 years
population
equality
$174,000
Stationary, postage, medical clinic, gym, can’t be
arrested while attending Congress or on their way
to or from Congress

4. The Functions of Congress p.416-420
Lawmaking
Representation
Trustee v. Instructed-delegate views
Service to Constituents
Oversight
Public-Education
Conflict Resolution

5. Powers of Congress p
Know some of the enumerated powers Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 1-17 AND 12th, 16th, 20th and 25th Amendments (impose taxes, spend, regulate commerce, declare war, override a veto, propose amendments)
Powers of the Senate (treaties, presidential nominations of ambassadors, Supreme Court)

6. Powers of Congress, cont.
Necessary & Proper Clause, Article I, Sec 8
Checks on Congress: (veto of President, Supreme Court, House elections every 2 years, Senate vs. House)

7. House/Senate Differences
Constitutional
Differences
Local districts
Entire state
2-year term
Originally elected by voters
Orig. elected by state legis (until 1913)
May impeach
May convict
Process and
Culture
435
100
More formal
Debate limited
Extended/filibuster
Less prestige
More media coverage
More partisan
More individualistic
Specific
Powers
Originates bills for raising $
Advise/consent pres on appts & treaties

8. Miscellaneous Info
Congress is not representative of the US population p.424
Congressional Elections & The Power of the Incumbency p
Congressional Apportionment p
Perks & Privileges p

9. How a Bill Becomes a Law page380
A bill starts when a Congressman writes and introduces it to the House.
The bill then goes to a committee where it is debated.
If it does not die in committee, the bill is voted on in the House.
If the bill passes, it goes to the Senate where the committee process is repeated.
If the bill does not die in committee, it is voted on in the Senate.
If the bill passes the Senate, it goes to a conference committee to work out any differences.
Each house then votes on the compromised bill.
If it passes both houses, it goes to the President.
If he signs the bill it becomes a law.
If he vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with a 2/3 vote in each house.

10. Remember!!!
All bills that deal with money, either taxing or spending, must start in the House.
All money that the government spends is appropriated by Congress.

11. How Work Gets Done in the House of Representatives
Responsibilities of House Leaders
Speaker of the House
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Whips
Responsibilities of House Rules Committee

12. How Work Gets Done in the House of Representatives
Responsibilities of House Leaders
Speaker of the House
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Whips
Responsibilities of House Rules Committee
The Boss,
decides who
gets to do what
(talk,
committees)
Page 375
Helps plan the
majority party’s
legislative
Program, assist
the Speaker
Page 376
Helps plan the
minority party’s
legislative
programs
Page 376
Enforcer,
makes sure
members are
present to vote
and vote the
“right” way
Enters major bills on house calendars, moves some bills ahead of
others, may include time limits for debate on a bill, specifies how much
a bill may be changed or amended, settles disputes among House
committees, delays or blocks bills that leaders do not want to be
voted on (SEE PAGE 374)

13. Responsibilities of Senate Leaders
Vice President
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Whips
President Pro Tempore

14. Responsibilities of Senate Leaders
Vice President
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Whips
President of the
Senate, breaks
tie votes
Page 377
Develops
criticisms of
majority party’s
bills, plans
legislative
program for
minority party
Page 377
Plans Senate
work schedule
and agenda
Page 377
Makes sure
Senators are
present for key
votes
Page 378
President Pro Tempore – temporary presiding officer of the Senate in the
absence of the Vice President, mostly a ceremonial position page 377

15. Similarities and Differences in House and Senate Procedures

16. Similarities and Differences in House and Senate Procedures
VP presides but
can’t vote unless
to break a tie
Speaker presides
and controls who
speaks
Members
introduce bills
Formal atmosphere
Informal atmosphere
Majority leaders
control flow of bills
Five calendars
Only two calendars
Minority leaders plan
to oppose majority
party’s bills
Many ways to delay
or block bills
Few ways to block bills
– But has filibuster

17. Committees in the House and Senate
Standing committees
– deal with large issues that affect the nation
Subcommittee
– specializes in subcategory of standing committee’s business
Select committee
– study a specific issue and report findings to the House or Senate
Joint committee
– act as study groups that report findings to both houses
Conference committee
– resolve differences btwn House and Senate version of a single bill