1. The Legislative Branch

2. Congressional Terms Constituents: Colleagues or people that the Congressmen/women represent. Bicameral: two bodies (houses) make up Congress Pork Barrel: legislation that brings Federal funds back to their state or district.

3. What does the Legislative Branch do? (Delegated Powers)  Article 1 Section 1 of the Constitution  LEJ  Makes, votes, and amends (change) laws.  Collection of Federal taxes.

4. What does the Legislative Branch do? (Delegated Powers)  Declare War on other countries  Regulate Trade  Coin Money  Establish and maintain the Postal System.

5. Divides money and aid to programs, nations, and policies

6. Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)  Implied Powers  Part of the Constitution that allows congress to go beyond  Example: “regulate interstate commerce” “regulate interstate commerce”

7. Terms and Sessions  Each session lasts for one year  H.O.R reps Term -- two years  Are up for re-election every two years  100% up for re-election  Senate Term – 6 years  1/3 of the Senate is up for reelection every 2 years  Continuous body

8. Two Legislative Houses (Bicameral)  The House of Representatives  The Senate

11. The House of Representatives Often called “the Lower House” or “The Peoples Body of Congress”  Largest  435 members, elected every 2 years.

12.  One representative per 500,000 people.  The 435 number is capped – (Reapportionment act of 1929)

13. Requirements to Become a Member of the House of Representatives 25 years old   Citizen for 7 yrs.   Resident of the state they represent, not necessarily the district   Me!   Each state is guaranteed at least one Representative.

14. Wisconsin Representative Districts

15. Wisconsin District 7 Representative Sean Duffy

16. The Speaker of the House  (R- OH) John Boehner  Recognizes speakers and controls floor action  Elected by a caucus of the majority party.

17.  Head of the House of Reps. – Very Powerful!  Next in line after Vice President in the chain of command.

18. Other facts about the House of Representatives…..  All bills on revenue (taxes) must start in the House  Ways and Means committee

20. The Senate  Two representatives from each State (100 total)  Elected to a six year term by popular vote.

21. Is this man qualified?  Must be 30 years of age.  Must be a US citizen for at least 9 years.  Must be a resident of the state they represent

22. Senate Functions  Senate confirms all treaties and Presidential appointments.

23. President of the Senate  Joe Biden  The Vice President only votes on Bills if there is a tie.  Vice President may NOT limit a Senator’s speech (filibuster)

24. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii  2 nd in command of the Senate is called the President Pro Tempore (majority party)  Next in the chain of Command after the Speaker of the House.

25. Filibuster  A filibuster -- one or more Senators attempt to block a vote on a bill  “Talk” it to death, until the others give up  If 3/5 of the Senate votes to end it, the Cloture rule may stop a filibuster  Rare -- the threat of a filibuster is enough to stop action on a bill

26. Famous Filibusters  In 1957, the late Strom Thurmond engaged in a one-man filibuster lasting 23 hours, 7 minutes.  He attempted to stop the Civil Rights act of 1957  After Strom collapsed, a quick vote of the Senate passed the bill.

27. Interestingly…

28. Famous Filibuster  Huey Long of Louisiana was famous for his filibusters  He would ramble on for hours, reading off Cajun Recipes from his Grandma’s cookbook.

29. Wisconsin Senators Ron Johnson

30. $$$ Facts  Members of the House earn $155,200/yr  Also a budget of 600,000/yr  The Speaker earns $195,000/yr  Senators earn $165,200/yr.  Plus yearly budget of $1.5 million.

31.  In impeachment process -- The House decides first  Then they send to the Senate for trial  Senate has the sole power to remove the President (trial after the House votes impeachment).

32. The End

33. Legislative Branch Questions. What are checks and balances? Who has more power in the passing of Laws: Congress or the President? Why do we have two houses of Congress? Do you think most laws are easily passed? How many House of Representative does Wisconsin have? Which house of Congress is the most important?