2.  SSCG9: The student will explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, with emphasis on terms of office, powers, organization, leadership, and representation of each house.

3.  Every two years all of the members of the House of Representatives and 1/3 of the Senators are elected.  This two year period between elections is called a “Congress.”

4.  Two sessions per term/Congress  Begin in January  Joint Session: House of Representatives and the Senate meet together.  Special Session: The President may call a special joint session of Congress even if they have adjourned (ended) for the year.

5.  The political party that has the most members in each house is known as the majority party.  The political party that has fewer members is called the minority party.

6. Two Houses Senate and the House of Representatives  Two house system allows each house to ‘check’ the actions of the other and helps prevent Congress from passing laws in a hurry.

7. Membership  The number of Representatives each state can elect is based on the size of that state’s population.  Each state has at least 1 Representative.  435 total Representatives.  Every 10 years, after the census is taken, Congress determines how the seats in the House are to be apportioned, or distributed.

9.  Representatives must be: a) At least 25 years old b) A U.S. citizen for at least 7 years c) A legal resident of the state they represent  Serve 2 terms  Elections are held in November of each even- numbered year.

10. Speaker of the House  Elected from the majority party.  Presiding officer of the house.  No representative may speak until called on, or recognized, by the Speaker.  Second in line of Presidential Succession.

12. Powers that only the House of Representatives has: a) Begin impeachment proceedings b) Initiate bills to raise money (appropriation bills) c) Select president when no candidate receives sufficient electoral votes

13. Membership  Each state is represented equally.  2 members per state.  100 senators total.  Members are called senators.

15. Senators must be: a) At least 30 years old. b) A U.S. Citizen for at least 9 years. c) A legal resident of the state they represent.  Serve 6 year terms  One third (1/3) of the Senate’s membership comes up for election every two years in November.

16. Vice President  According to the Constitution presides over the Senate.  Only votes to break a tie. President Pro Tempore  Fills in for the Vice President when necessary. Third in line of presidential succession. Customarily the most senior senator in the majority party

18. Powers that only the Senate has:  Hold impeachment trials.  Select the vice president when no candidate has sufficient votes.  Approve treaties.  Approve high officials. (Cabinet Members, Supreme Court Justices, and Ambassadors).