unit 2: the legislative branch
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Unit 2: The Legislative Branch. Congress. Bicameral: 1.House of Representatives (Population, 435) 2. Senate (Equal,100) Historical Practical Theoretical. Powers of Congress. (1)Expressed Powers (ARTICLE I) Powers listed in Constitution Regulate trade Tax Borrow money Coin money - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Unit 2: The Legislative Branch
Congress
Bicameral:1.House of Representatives(Population, 435)2. Senate(Equal,100)a. Historicalb. Practicalc. Theoretical
Powers of Congress
(1)Expressed Powers (ARTICLE I)- Powers listed in Constitution1. Regulate trade2. Tax3. Borrow money4. Coin money5. Declare War6. Maintain Military
Powers of Congress
(3) Implied Powers-Powers understood becauseof Constitution1. Punish tax evaders2. Regulate immigration3. Regulate banking4. Establish minimum wage5. Mail fraud, bar shipping
Powers of Congress
(4) Nonlegislative Powers- Powers/duties1. Electoral Duties: elect of President, VP (no
majority)2. Executive Duties: Confirms
appointments/treaties3. Constitutional Amendments: Propose
amendments
Powers of Congress
4. Investigate: information for laws, focus public attention on issue5. Impeach and Try: bring charges against
The National Legislature
• Term:– House: 2 years– Senate: 6 years– Starts “noon of the 3rd day of January every odd numbered
year”– 111th term of Congress: January 2009-2011
• Session:– Period Congress assembles and conducts business– Recess granted– Special Session: Only President calls Congress into special
session, can call both houses or individual
Members of Congress• Typically white male, late
50’s, married, educated• Job:
– Delegate: agents of people– Trustees: decision on merit– Partisans: allegiance to
political party– Politicos: balance all roles
• Compensation:– $168,000 per year– Speaker $212,000– Senate leaders $183,500– Many benefits
The House of RepresentativesMEMBERSHIP:• 435 members, not fixed by
Congress• Apportioned by population• Two year term• Chosen by 435 congressional
districts• Must be 25 years old• Citizen 7 years, live in state and
(district they represent, not in Constitution)
• House members tend to be younger, less wealthy, and represent a wider range of occupations
Powers of the House
Gerrymandering:• District lines drawn to advantage of the political party
– Leaving districts safe in dominant party– Spread opposition thinly among districts, limiting ability to
win– Creates “safe” districts
•All Revenue Bills must start in the House•All Charges of Impeachment must start in the House
The Senate• 100 Senators (2 per state)• Smaller, more responsible• Chosen by State legislatures
(at large)• Senators tend to be older,
wealthier, and are from “professions”
• Only one Senator up for election at a time
• 6 year term– No limit on terms– Terms staggered– Continuous body: all seats
never up at same time
The Senate• Must be 30• Citizen 9 years, live in state representing• Informal qualifications:
– Party– Name– Familiarity– Gender– Ethnicity– Political experience
POWERS:• Tries all Charges of Impeachment• Approves all Presidential appointments• Approves all foreign treaties
Committees in Congress• Standing:
– Permanent, considers all bills– 20 in House, 16 in Senate
• Select:– Temporary, set up for special purpose– Speaker/ President of Senate appoints members
• Joint:– Composed by members of both houses– Investigate issues
• Conference:– Temporary– Resolves differences on bills in House and Senate– Produces compromise