CONGRESS: The Legislative Branch

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CONGRESSThe Legislative Branch

• LESSON 8

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Key items to know about the Congress

• KEY ITEMS TO KNOW ABOUT THE CONGRESS
• Most closely represents the people ? responsible
  for making the laws
• Bicameral legislature

II See table on next slide and your handout
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Requirements for membership
EXTRA CREDIT Whos this lady?
EXTRA CREDIT Whos this guy?
House of Representatives CATEGORY Senate
Minimum 25 years old AGE Minimum 30 years old
U.S. citizen for 7 years CITIZENSHIP U.S. citizen for 9 years
Must live in state they represent RESIDENCY Must live in state they represent
Apportionment based on states population (435 total) APPORTIONMENT (State Membership) Apportionment equal among the states (2 per state 100 total)
2-year term TERM OF OFFICE 6-year term
Speaker of the House PRESIDING OFFICER Vice President President Pro Tempore
EXTRA CREDIT Who are these people?
EXTRA CREDIT Who are these people?
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Requirements for the House

1. AGE Minimum 25 years of age
2. CITIZENSHIP US citizen for 7 years
3. RESIDENCY Live in the state the represent
4. STATE MEMBERSHIP
5. 1789/65 1995/435
6. Ratio of state pop. To national pop. Census
7. Gerrymandering- drawing district boundaries to in
   order to concentrate opponent and spread your
   strength.
8. TERM OF OFFICE Entire House elected every two
   years.
9. PRESIDING OFFICER Speaker of the House

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert
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Requirements for the Senate

• AGE Minimum 30 years of age
• CITIZENSHIP US citizen for 9 years
• STATE RESIDENCY Live in the state the represent
• STATE 2 per state
• TERM OF OFFICE 6 year term
• Staggered election
• 1/3 every 2 years
• PRESIDING OFFICER
• Vice President Doesnt attend any meetings
• President Pro Tempore Selected to run senate in
  VPs absence

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Membership has its privileges

• CONGRESSIONAL PRIVILEGES
• Substantial salary
• Travel allowance
• Free office space and funds for supplies
• Franking privilege right to send official mail
  free of postage
• Freedom from civil arrest during sessions
• Freedom of speech on the floor
• Can not be sued for slander or libel
• Free to speak and debate.

EXTRA CREDIT Whos this guy?
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When does the Congress meet?

• CONGRESSIONAL SESSIONS
• Meets in two regular sessions in a 2-year term
• Session starts on January 3rd and continues as
  long as there is a need
• Beginning with the first Congress 1789-1791,
  Congress is numbered in order (2007-2009 110th
  Congress)

2007-2009 110th Congress
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AIM What are the Powers of the House and the
Senate in our Government?

• Do Now
• Who is our Representative in the House?
• Why do members of the House only get elected for
  two year terms?

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Special Powers of the House of Representatives

• SPECIAL POWERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
• Start all revenue bills
• Bring charges of impeachment against federal
  officials
• Elect the president if the electoral college
  fails to give a candidate a majority

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Special Powers of the Senate

• SPECIAL POWERS OF THE SENATE
• Ratify treaties negotiated by the President (2/3
  majority vote)
• Decide on impeachment trials (2/3 majority vote)
• Approve Presidential appointments (majority vote)
• Elect Vice President if electoral college is
  deadlocked

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How a bill becomes a law
IDEA
Proposal by Congressperson from either house
Pigeonholing Most bills proposed (90) are
killed in committee
If approved
Bill goes to proper committee
Bill is considered by the entire house
If approved
If approved
If its a REVENUE BILL, it starts in the House of
Representatives
Bill goes to the committee of the other house
Bill is considered by the entire house (majority
wins)
If approved
Conference committee Members fine-tune the
bill and create a compromise bill
If the bill PASSES, it goes to the President
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How a bill becomes a law
PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS

1. If signed within 10 days, it becomes law.
2. If not signed within 10 days, and Congress is
   still in session, it still becomes law.
3. POCKET VETO Not signed, and Congress is NOT in
   session, its dead.
4. If President vetoes bill, it goes back to the
   house it originated (started) in.
5. Congress may override Presidential veto with a
   2/3 majority vote in BOTH houses.

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AIM How do people have their issues discussed in
Congress?

• DO NOW Explain the process of how a Bill becomes
  a Law.
• List three actions a President may take when a
  Bill come across his/her desk

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How do you delay a vote on a bill?

• FILIBUSTERING IN THE SENATE
• Purpose A deliberate attempt by a minority
  Senator to delay a vote on an unfavorable bill ?
  talk a bill to death
• May be returned to committee
• Cloture A 2/3 majority vote can halt a debate ?
  not used often

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How do people have their issues discussed in
Congress?

• LOBBYING
• Special Interest Groups Political, economic, or
  social groups that attempt to pressure members of
  Congress into passing favorable laws

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How do people have their issues discussed in
Congress?

• Lobbyists Politically experienced people
  employed by special interest groups
• Actions used by lobbyists
• Meet with Congressmen and provide expert
  information
• Arrange parties, campaign funds, favors
• Urge public response

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Pros Cons of Lobbying

• PROS
• Right to petition
• Allows special interest groups to express
  opinions
• Call attention to the need of laws
• Provide valuable information

• CONS
• Questionable methods
• Well financed groups have an advantage over other
  groups
• Information may be one sided

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In what other ways do Congressmen bring home the
bacon?

• OTHER CONGRESSSIONAL PRACTICES
• Pork Barrel Legislation Members of Congress
  provide public works programs for their home
  districts
• Logrolling Deal-making among members of Congress
  ? trades for votes
• You vote for my bill, Ill vote for yours.

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How can some areas guarantee better
representation than other places around the
country?

• Gerrymandering The process of dividing voting
  districts to give an unfair advantage to one
  candidate, party, or group
• Before 1964 ? Controlled by states
• Since 1964 ? Federal government determines
  congressional districts

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Gerrymandering