1. The Congress: House of Representatives

2. HOW IS THE CONGRESS LIKE A TEACUP AND SAUCER? CONGRESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS All bills (taxes, war) must pass both Houses to be a law “power of the purse” Congress has investigative and legal powers (ex. summons for hearing testimony) Organized party, seniority and committee system of jurisdiction; where most work gets done Bill passage was designed to be difficult Constitutional Clauses: Amendment; Elastic; Interstate Commerce Founders thought Congress would be focus of electorate’s attention

3. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Whole House up for election each even year. 435 members; 435 Congressional districts Districts are redrawn by their respective legislatures to reflect national population shifts every 10 years (census). Revenue bills must start here; and impeachment powers Districts based on population 1 Rep/600,000 people

4. US Congressional Map 113 th Congress 270towin

5. 22 nd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT (2012-2020) Congressman Richard Hanna (R)

6. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Leadership and Organization: Majority Rule Organized by political party and seniority Majority: Speaker, Majority Leader, powerful Committee Chairs, Whips Minority: Minority Leader, Whips, Committee Co-chairs, Whips caucus : meetings by party or Reps of common interests Strict debate rules; limited Speaker of the House John Boehner (R) Ohio House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D) California Strict political hierarchy; more partisan

7. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Committee System: Where the Majority of Work is Completed House Committees Committee Hearings: Law-Making Process or Legal Investigations Testimony from experts or witnesses Testimony from, experts witnesses