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Chapter 5: The Legislative Branchpages 113-139

The legislative branchThe law making body—They write the laws, but the President must put them into action.

Members of Congress and their duties

1. They REPRESENT citizens in smaller groups.• These citizens are called CONSTITUENTS--- the people that your Representative works for in Congress.Even though you cannot vote, are you their constituents?

2. They join Political Parties.

What is a political party?

A political party is an organization of people who share certain ideas about what government should do.

3. They get help from Interest Groups

• An interest group are groups of people who work together for similar interests and goals.

• Sometimes interest groups try to influence Congressional members by hiring lobbyists.

• Lobbyists are people who represent interest groups.

The two largest interest groups

American Association of Retired People National Rifle Association

4. Decision Making

• A member of congress votes on hundreds of bills each year. How do they decide how to vote?– Do they base decisions on their morals?– Do they base decisions on their political party?– Congressional members are constantly making

decisions every day.– Do they base decisions on information from

lobbyists?

5. Servants to the People

• They help their constituents directly by providing information or help.

Representatives + Senators =

House of Representatives Senate

CONGRESS

Representatives

Working in the HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES• The number for each state is determined by the state

POPULATION.• Your state’s population is determined every 10 years

during a CENSUS• Each state must have at least ONE Representative.• States can gain or lose representatives after a census.• Representatives only serve for two years and must be

re-elected.• You must be at least 25 years old.

435 Total seats in the House of Representatives

Alaska has one HOUSE member

Don Young (R-AK- at large)

Congressional Districts• Most states have multiple districts

Alaska has one Federal District. Why?

SENATORS• 2 per state• Re-elected every 6 years• Must be at least 30 to become a Senator

Alaska’s Senators

Lisa Murkowski

Mark Begich

How a Bill becomes a law

1. Someone has an idea and writes a bill.

2. Usually introduced into the House of Representatives

3. Goes to a committee for a review

4. Read and debated on the “floor”

5. Then repeats in the other house– usually Senate

6. If it passes it is sent to the President

7. President can veto the bill Or President can sign the bill

into law.