JOURNAL TOPIC TODAY:

CNN STUDENT NEWS

MONDAY, September 19th 2011

Essential Question:• What are the powers of the legislative branch? • What are the limitations on each branch of

government?• How does Congress choose its leaders and what

are their roles?• What is the process by which a bill becomes a

law?

• What we are going to do today: – Pass back papers (remember

Incomplete means 0 until the work is complete)

– Take notes about the Legislative Branch

– Work in Groups and start planning whose going to do what for your group

Copy Vocabulary that we are using

today:• Popular Sovereignty

• The rule of law• Separation of

powers• Checks and

balances• federalism

HOMEWORK:

RESEARCH AND COMPLETE GAME INFORMATION ACCORIDNG TO YOUR JOB IN YOUR GROUP.

WHICH GAME DID YOU SELECT TO MIMIC?HOW ARE YOU GOING TO SHOW(TEACHERS OTHERS) HOW A LAW BECOMES A BILL!

REMEMBER THAT IS THE POINT

ARTICLE ONE

Requirements, Duties, and Characteristics of the Legislative Branch.

Bicameral LegislatureArticle 1, Section 1: …which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Our Congress is split in two houses: The House of Representatives is determined on

a State’s Population (proportional representation).

Each state sends 2 Senators to the other part of congress, the Senate (equal representation).

The Senate is 100 people, can’t change without adding/subtracting states.

The House is 435 people, but is divided differently every 10 years to reflect the latest census/population figures.

What is Fair?How should representing the states balance the big and the small?

NJ Plan:Equal Representation

Pro: all have equal say.

Con: people’s votes aren’t equal.

VA Plan:Proportional Representation

Pro: people’s votes are now weighted evenly.

Con: small states have little say

vs

Great Compromise:Create a legislature with 2 houses, balance

responsibilities between the two, and create a more perfect union of big and small.

Characteristics of the 2 HousesArticle 1, Section 2 (Clauses 1 & 2); Section 3 (Clauses 1,2 &3)

Senate House of Representatives

6 Years Length of Term

2 Years

30 Years Old Age Minimum

25 Years Old

Live anywhere in state Residency Requireme

nt

Live in district

9 year US citizen Citizenship Requireme

nt

7 year US citizen

100 Total # 435New Jersey (NJ) Plan – favors

small statesMore Like: Virginia (VA) Plan – favors big

statesAll Reps/Senators are elected by direct election – the people vote directly for them.

Leadership of the HouseArticle 1, Section 2, Clause 5: The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers

Speaker of the House is voted on by the Representatives. Considered to be the “most powerful person

in the US,” as s/he controls which bills get voted on and when.

Republicans and Democrats also elect leaders to represent their causes, mainly the Minority Leader.

Whips: both parties have them – responsible for getting people “on board” with votes.

Leadership of the SenateArticle 1, Section 3, Clause 4: The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Vice President “leads” the Senate as the President of the Senate. The Vice President only votes to break ties. The VP does not run day-to-day business Acts as a “presence” to remind the Senate of

the President’s wishes and power.

The Senators also elect the president pro tempore.

Only formally takes charge when the VP cannot.

Usually the longest serving person in the Senate

Article 1, Section 3, Clause 5: The Senate shall choose their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of the President of the United States.

I want: 1.) The Game Idea (monopoly, trivial, clue)2.) Who is responsible for what~

Designer (design)Researcher (20 items)Writer/Typer

Impeachment ProcessArticle 1, Section 2, Clause 5; Section 3, Clauses 6 & 7

Other Requirements and ThingsArticle 1, Sections 4, 5, & 6 Since 1872, Congress requires all states to hold

elections for Senators and Reps on the same day. Each house sets quorum:

Senate/House cannot vote with a minimum number of Senators/Representatives present (51 in Senate, 218 in House)

Rules are set (and are very long and detailed). Congressional Record – all votes, speeches and

actions are recorded everyday and available online.

$$$ - All make $170 k, with leadership making more.

Cannot be arrested or sued (immunity) for something they say during debate, unless it is a criminal act.

Cannot hold another government job while serving in Congress.

Congress’ Primary Job: Make LawsArticle 1, Section 7: Law Making Process

Vesting clause: all the government’s power to write laws lies in the legislative branch. Nowhere else.

Enumerated powers of Congress Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 1-18: Congress shall have the power…

Collect Taxes for the common defense and general welfare Taxes must be the same in all parts of the

country. Borrow money through bonds bought by

Americans. Establish laws on Naturalization:

The process by which an immigrant becomes an American citizen.

Regulate all trade (between states or countries)

Enumerated powers of Congress Cont… Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 1-18: Congress shall have the power…

Coin Money! Determine the value of each piece. Also regulates weights and measures.

Punish counterfeiting. Establish Post Offices, delivery of

mail. Develop a system of patents and

copyrights. Establish courts.

Congress determines the number of courts and judges at each inferior, or lower court (as in lower than the Supreme Court).

Key Functions of Congress

Representation: expresses the diverse views of the American

people

Law Making: creates bills to address issues and

solve problems in American society

Consensus Building: reconciles competing

interests

Oversight: ensures that laws passed by

Congress are effectively carried out by the executive branch

Investigation: investigates government agencies,

including the White House---impeachment

Approval: confirms presidential

appointees and treaties (Senate Only)

Overview of what we’ve learned!

“In order to control the legislative authority, you must divide it.” James Madison, Federalist No. 51

How will this set up protect Americans from tyranny?

The House Wing The Senate Wing

A Bicameral Legislature

House Office Buildings

Senate Office Buildings

Virtual Tour of the Senate Chamber

The Well in the House Chamber

Differences Between the House and Senate

• Two year Term• 435 members• Smaller constituencies• Less personal staff• Equal populations represented • Less flexible rules• Limited Debate• Policy Specialists• Less media coverage• Less prestige• Less reliance on staff• More powerful committee

leaders• Very important committees• Nongermane amendments

(riders) not allowed• Important Rules Committee• Some bills are not allowed to

be amended from the floor

• Six year Term• 100 members• Larger constituencies• More personal staff• States represented• More flexible rules• Extended Debate• Policy generalists• More media coverage• More prestige• More equal distribution of

power• 20 major committees• Nongermane amendments

(riders) allowed• Filibuster allowed

The House The Senate

Non Voting Members of the House 1 representative each: >>can participate in debate and on committees >>cannot vote

The District of Columbia

Puerto Rico

American Samoa

Virgin Islands

Must live in state and district

Must be 25 years or older

Must be a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years

Term begins on January 3 and last for 2 years.

One of 435 other members of the House

The House of Representatives:Requirements

Must be elected by the majority

of people in his/her district 650,000 people

on average

Compare to the Senate

The Senate:Requirements

Must live in state

Must be elected by the majority of registered voters living in the state

Term begins January 3rd and lasts for six years.

1 of 100 other Senators: 2/state

Must be 30 years old

Must be a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years.

Compare to the House

What do they both enjoy? Perks of the Office

Salary: $165,200/year

Free Office Space in D.C.

Free Office Space

in State Free Parking on

the Hill

Office Expenses: $127,000 (House)$474,000 (Senate)

Staff Salaries: $632,000 (House)$2 million (Senate)Several Free Trips Home

Franking Privilege: mailing “official business” (not campaign business) for free.

Full Access to the Congressional Gym and Spa

Immunity from Lawsuits for anything you say when in Congress

Inexpensive Health Care

Leadership in the House & Senate

How things are done in the two chambers affects what is done in the two chambers.

The House is four times as big as the Senate.

How do you think this affects how things are done?

Speaker of the House: Visit official web site. Presides over the Chamber Decides Points of Order During Debate Refers bills and resolutions to the appropriate committees Schedules legislation for floor action Appoints House members to committees

Majority Leader Minority Leader

Majority & Minority Leaders Appointed by parties to direct strategy on the House floor Maintains alliances to gain votes and to pass/defeat bills Formulates the party’s legislative agenda w/Speaker Ensures that committee chairs take action on bills

Majority Whip Minority Whip

Majority & Minority Whips Aids the floor leader in developing & implementing party’s program transmits information to party members assists leaders in developing a count and a strategy for key votes builds coalition to pass bills and amendments gathers intelligence & uses persuasive tactics to garner more votes

Lead

ersh

ip in

the

Hous

e of

Re

pres

enta

tives

: Dem

ocra

tic

The New Speaker of the House: Nancy Pelosi (D), CA

Priorities :

diminish the role of lobbyists

insure that lawmakers have time to read legislation before voting on it.

open House-Senate legislative negotiating sessions to the media

make sure earmarks are identified by the name of lawmaker who sponsored it

make sure earmarks are approved by policy making committees (oversight)

New Faces in the Crowd:

House Majority Whip

James Clyburn, S.C. 6th District

Terms in Office: 7

Previous Leadership: Chair of the Democratic House Caucus

Caucus Chairman

Rahm Emanuel, IL. 5th District

Terms in Office: 3

Previous Leadership: Chair of the Democratic Campaign

Committee

House Majority Leader

Steny Hoyer, MD 5th District

Terms in Office: 12

Previous Leadership: House Minority Whip

9 members from the majority party—chosen by the Speaker

4 members from the minority party

Is the Rules Committee democratic?

Regulates floor debate

Sets limits on amendments

Influences which bills do and do not get consideration

Supports the agenda of the majority party

Click here to view a special rule for a bill.

Lead

ersh

ip in

the

Sena

te:

Dem

ocra

ticVice President Is the president of the Senate May not take part in the debate May try to influence a vote through contact with senators May recognize members and put questions to a vote May vote only in the event of a tie

President Pro Temp Presides when the vice president is not present Usually is the most senior member of the majority party

Temporary Presiding Officer Presides when neither the vice president nor the president pro temp is present Usually a senior member of the majority party

Majority & Minority Whips Serve the same function in the Senate as they do in the House Democratic Whip: Senator Barbara Boxer (California)Republican Whip: Senator Robert Bennett (Utah)

The New Majority Leader in the Senate: Harry Reid

Age: 67

Party: Democrat

Religion: Mormon

Political Experience:

Nevada State Legislature

Lieutenant Governor

Nevada Gaming Commission

House of Representatives (1982)

Senate (1986)

Minority Leader (2005)

Majority Leader: 2007

Senators Durbin & Reid meet with President Bush on New Footing

New Faces in the Crowd:

Senator Specter (R) hands control of the Judiciary Committee to Senator Leahy (D).

Senator Durbin (D) is the 2nd highest ranking member of Congress.

Filibuster

Strom Thurmond

(1957) 24 hours against

civil rights legislation

Huey Long filibustered on behalf of the

poor

Is the filibuster democratic?

We’ll debate this more in class!

A senator refuses to give up the floor in order to prevent a vote.

If 60 senators vote to end a filibuster, a vote must be held within 30 hours. (cloture)

Congressional CommitteesLetters Requesting Committee Assignments

Concern of the Congress:

Full Scope of the Bill

The Congress debates

Concern of the Committee:

The Details of the Bill

“Congress in session is Congress on display. Congress in committee is Congress at

work.” President Woodrow Wilson

Standing CommitteesSelect Committees Joint Committees

Authorizing Appropriations Rules Budget

• Make laws• Hold hearings • Hearing Sched

ule

• Determines how much $ will be spent

• The Immigration Fence

• Sets the Rules• Jurisdiction of

the Senate Rules Committee

• Raises $ for appropriations to spend

• House Ways and Means Committee

• Address temporary priorities in Congress

• Senate Select Committee on Ethics

View All Committees Here: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/congress/index.html

• Address issues of concern to both chambers

• Joint Committee on Economics

Committee Leadership

• Control your committee’s agenda• Schedule meetings and hearing of

the full committee• Help schedule subcommittee

hearings and meetings• Handle committee’s budget and staff• Serve as the committee’s

spokesperson• Sit on House and Senate conference

committees• Steer your party’s legislative agenda

in the Senate

If you are chosen head of a committee, you will:

Find out who’s on the new Democratic team here:

Criteria for Committee Assignments

Party Loyalty: Essentially your voting record

Seniority: Numbers of years of service on a particular committee

Geography: Vacancies tend to be

filled with people from the same states

Attitude: Civil, cooperative &

willing to compromise Preference: Senator

Landrieu serves on Energy & Natural Resources, key issues for Louisiana

Closing Questions• What are the roles of Congress in our

three branch government? • How is Congress structured and why?

How does the structure of Congress affect the way that Congress functions?

• Who has power in Congress and why?

• What role do committees play? Are they democratic?