CONGRESS:The Legislative Branch

LESSON 8

Key items to know about the Congress…

I. 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…

House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives CATEGORY SenateSenate

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

RESIDENCYMust live in state they

represent

Apportionment based on state’s population (435

total)

APPORTIONMENT (State Membership)

Apportionment equal among the states (2 per state – 100 total)

2-year termTERM OF OFFICE

6-year term

Speaker of the HousePRESIDING OFFICER

•Vice President•President Pro Tempore

Requirements for membershipEXTRA CREDIT:

Who’s this guy?

EXTRA CREDIT:

Who are these people?

EXTRA CREDIT:

Who are these people?

EXTRA CREDIT:

Who’s this lady?

Membership has its privileges…III. CONGRESSIONAL

PRIVILEGESA. Substantial salaryB. Travel allowanceC. Free office space and

funds for suppliesD. Franking privilege: right

to send official mail free of postage

E. Freedom from civil arrest during sessions

F. Freedom of speech on the floor

• Can not be sued for slander or libel

• Free to speak and debate.

EXTRA CREDIT:

Who’s this guy?

When does the Congress meet?

IV. CONGRESSIONAL SESSIONS

A. Meets in two regular sessions in a 2-year term

B. 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

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?

Special Powers of the House of RepresentativesV. SPECIAL POWERS

OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A. Start all revenue billsB. Bring charges of

impeachment against federal officials

C. Elect the president if the electoral college fails to give a candidate a majority

Special Powers of the Senate

VI. SPECIAL POWERS OF THE SENATE

A. Ratify treaties negotiated by the President (2/3 majority vote)

B. Decide on impeachment trials (2/3 majority vote)

C. Approve Presidential appointments (majority vote)

D. Elect Vice President if electoral college is deadlocked

How a bill becomes a law…

IDEA

Bill goes to proper committee

Bill goes to the committee of the

other house

Bill is considered by the entire house (majority wins)

Bill is considered by the entire house

Proposal by Congressperson

from either houseIf

approved…

If approved…

If

approved…

If approved…

If it’s a REVENUE BILL, it starts in the House of Representatives

If the bill PASSES, it goes to the President

Pigeonholing: Most bills proposed (90%) are killed in committee

Conference committee: Members “fine-tune” the bill and create a compromise bill

How a bill becomes a law…

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, it’s 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.

PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS

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:

How do you delay a vote on a bill?VII. FILIBUSTERING IN THE

SENATEA. 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

B. Cloture: A 2/3 majority vote can halt a debate not used often

How do people have their issues discussed in Congress?VIII. LOBBYING

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

How do people have their issues discussed in Congress?

B. Lobbyists: Politically experienced people employed by special interest groups1. Actions used by

lobbyists• Meet with

Congressmen and provide expert information

• Arrange parties, campaign funds, favors

• Urge public response

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

In what other ways do Congressmen “bring home the bacon”?IX. OTHER

CONGRESSSIONAL PRACTICES

A. Pork Barrel Legislation: Members of Congress provide public works programs for their home districts

B. Logrolling: Deal-making among members of Congress trades for votes

• “You vote for my bill, I’ll vote for yours.”

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

C. 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