1. Legislative Branch (Congress)
Arguably most crucial branch of U.S. government
Article I took up half of the original Constitution (18 specific powers).
Different from any other legislative body in the world today

2. Article I (U.S. Constitution)
First for a reason:
Founders wanted a “Congress” making laws
(independent from parties & other branches)
Congress = bicameral legislature (two parts)
Main job = to make laws

3. The House of Representatives
435 members
Directly elected by state
2-year term (no term limits)
Speaker of the House
(leader/3rd in line for presidency)
Must be at least 25 years old
U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
Less individual prestige than Senate

4. The Senate 100 members (two per state) Directly elected by state
6-year term (no term limits)
Must be at least 30 years old to serve
U.S. citizen for at least 9 years
More individual prestige
VP is the President of the Senate
“President pro tempore” runs Senate
(most senior member of Senate)

6. Congressional Committees
Majority party controls committees in House & Senate
(this is very important)
Three kinds:
Standing committees (permanent)
Select committees
(special issue/task)
Joint committees
(both parties/specific task)