Legislative Branch

Standards:

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.

1. Congress

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.”

2. Sessions

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.

3. Parties (Democrats and Republicans)

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.

4. Bicameral

Two HousesSenate 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.

5. House of Representatives

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.

Tom Graves: Republican

14th Congressional District in Georgia.

tomgraves.house.gov

6. Requirements to be a Representative

Representatives must be:a) At least 25 years oldb) A U.S. citizen for at least 7 yearsc) A legal resident of the state they

represent

Serve 2 terms Elections are held in November of

each even-numbered year.

7. Leader

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.

John Boehner: (R) Ohio

Speaker of the House

8. Special Powers of the House of Representatives

Powers that only the House of Representatives has:

a) Begin impeachment proceedingsb) Initiate bills to raise money

(appropriation bills)c) Select president when no candidate

receives sufficient electoral votes

9. Senate

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

Johnny Isakson (R) and David Purdue (R): Georgia Senators

10. Requirements to be a Senator

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.

11. Leaders

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

Joe Biden: (D) Vice President

Orrin Hatch: (R)President Pro Tempore

12. Special Powers of the Senate

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).