Congress in Action

Background Information

Referencing Chapter 10/11

Congressnew session every Jan. 3 of odd-numbered years

• House of Representatives– 435 members– 2 year terms

• Senate– 100 members– 6 year terms

2009-2011

112th Congressconvened Jan. 3, 2011

• 241 Republicans • 192 Democrats • 0 Independents • 2 Vacancies

• 51 Democrats • 47 Republicans • 2 Independents

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2

3

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2

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Compensation

• $162,000 annual – Nonmonetary benefits

• Tax deduction for 2 homes• Travel expenses• Health/life insurance• Medical care• Pension + social security• Office expenses• Franking privilege• Working amenities

Powers of Congress

• Expressed—explicit in Constitution

• Implied—reasonably deduced

• Inherent—by creating government

Strict v. liberal (or loose) constructionists

Expressed Powers

• Tax– Not on exports– Direct tax

• Property, poll, income (capitation)

– Indirect tax• Federal tobacco, gas taxes paid by supplier

• Borrow– Public debt– Deficit financing

Expressed Powers

• Commerce power– Regulate interstate trade– Regulate foreign trade

• Currency power

• Bankruptcy laws

Expressed Powers

• Foreign Relations– Ratify treaties– Regulate immigration

• Regulate naturalization

– Combat terrorism

• War Powers– Declare war– raise and support armies and navies

Expressed Powers

• Postal service

• Patents and Copyrights

• Standard weights and measures

• Power over territories

Implied Powers

• Based on the “necessary and proper clause”

The Congress shall have Power - To The Congress shall have Power - To make all Laws which shall be necessary make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.in any Department or Officer thereof.

Inherent Powers

• Constitutional amendment

• Electoral Duties

• Impeachment

• Confirmation of Executive appointments

• Investigations– Committees

Congressional OrganizationLeadersLeaders

• House elects a

SPEAKERSPEAKER– Presides– Interprets rules– Refers bills to

committees– Rules on points of

order– Puts motions to vote– 3rd in line to be pres.

• Senate– Officially led by v-p

• Doesn’t vote except to break a tie

– President pro President pro temporetempore

• Senior member of majority party

• 4th in line• Daniel K. Inouye (HI)

Party Organization

• Party Caucus or Conference

• Floor Leaders– Whips

Committees• Standing

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Appropriations Armed Services Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Budget Commerce, Science, and Transportation Energy and Natural Resources Environment and Public Works Finance Foreign Relations Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Judiciary Rules and Administration Small Business and Entrepreneurship Veterans' Affairs

Committees

• Special, Select, and Other Indian Affairs Select Committee on Ethics Select Committee on Intelligence Special Committee on Aging

• Joint Joint Committee on Printing Joint Committee on Taxation Joint Committee on the Library Joint Economic Committee

HomeworkHow A Bill Becomes A Law

• Divide the work with your partner:– 12.3 – the House p.334-340– 12.4 – the Senate p. 342-346

• Read the chapter– Record notes that describe the progress of a

proposal.– Be sure to use all vocab terms

Chapter 12, Section 1 and 2