1. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (CONGRESS)

2. KEY TERMS 1. bicameral – 2 house legislature 2. gerrymandering – draw district lines (in odd shapes) to favor a group of peoplegerrymandering 3. constituents – citizens represented by elected leaders 4. congressional record – public voting record of members of Congress 5. franking privilege – send mail for free 6. immunity – protected from certain arrests and lawsuits 7. expulsion – kicked out by Congress with 2/3 vote 8. incumbent- the official currently serving office ** #1 advantage incumbents have is name recognition

3. I. Elections (Congress) A. held every 2 years (even years) B. first Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November of even years C. inauguration takes place Jan. 3

4. II. Congressional sessions (meet at least 1x per year) A. Regular session – normal meetings of Congress B. Special session – emergency meetings of Congress (called by Pres.) C. Joint session – house and senate meet together Ex: state of the union speech by President

5. III. Congressional Committees A. standing committees – hear information on bills; standing committees are divided into subcommittees (public hearings) B. select committee – temporary committee usually for investigations C. joint committee – committee made of members from both houses -EX: conference committee – compromise on 2 different versions of the same bill

6. IV. Other powers of Congress A. enumerated – war, money, and military B. implied – necessary and proper clause C. non legislative powers 1. treaties – approved by Senate 2. appointments – approved by Senate 3. amendments – proposed by 2/3of Congress 4. impeach – house impeaches; senate does trial