Daily Essential Questions

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH?

HOW DOES BICAMERALISM IN CONGRESS REFLECT THE PRINCIPLE OF FEDERALISM?

The Legislative Branch

“A chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations.”

- James Madison, The Federalist # 10 (1787)

Legislative At a Glance…

Congress

Legislative branch of the U.S. Government

Responsible for translating “public will” into public policy in the form of laws

Legislative At a Glance

They make the laws!

Described in Article I “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested

in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives”

What does “Bicameral” mean?

Bicameral simply means two houses. The House of Representatives and the Senate collectively make up the Congress

A Bicameral Congress

Definition: Power is shared between two houses

Each house has similar but distinct powers

Requirements for each house differ

“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 BuildingsVirtual Tour of the Senate Chamber

The Well in the House Chamber

“LOWER HOUSE”

House of Representatives

A nationwide census is given every ten years to determine what?

House of Representatives

Size: 435 members, based on state population

Seats are distributed among States on the basis of their respective populations – but each state is guaranteed at least one seat

After every census (every 10 years), the Census Bureau will determine how many seats each state should have.

Length of Term: 2 years (unlimited terms)

A census is used to determine the amount of representation each state will receive in the House of Representatives.

Every 10 years, after the census is taken, Congress determines how the seats in the House are to be apportioned, or distributed.

If a state's population decreases from one census to the next, the number of its representatives may be reduced.

States whose populations grow may be entitled to more representatives.

Census = # of seats per state

House of Representatives

435 members of the House are chosen by voters in 435 separate congressional districts

Constituency: the people/interests an elected official represents

Each member represents their congressional district

House Member Qualifications

25 years of age7 year citizen of the U.S.Live in State and District representing.

Florida27 districtsKey Biscayne - 18th Congressional

District Ileana Ros - Lehtinen

18th District Florida

I am proud to represent Florida’s 18thCongressional District, a diverse area which includes Miami, Little Havana, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, Miami Beach, Westchester and the Florida Keys.

I was born in Havana, Cuba on July 1952. At the age of eight, my family and I were forced to flee from the oppressive communist regime of Fidel Castro. We settled in Miami and put down permanent roots in our community.

I attended Southside Elementary School in Little Havana, West Miami Junior High, and Southwest High School. In the years following, I earned an Associate of Arts degree from Miami-Dade Community College in 1972, Bachelors and Masters Degree in Education from Florida International University in 1975 and 1985 respectively, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Miami in 2004. I consider education a lifelong journey.

Florida’s Congressional Districts

What are the qualifications for becoming a Representative?

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

Who is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives?

The Presiding officer of the House of Representatives is called the “Speaker of the House”

Currently the new Speaker of the House is John Boehner (R) from Ohio

Speaker of the House

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

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

“UPPER HOUSE”

Senate

Senate

Size: 100 members, two from each State

Length of Term: 6 years (unlimited terms) Staggered terms - 1/3 of Senate is up

for re-election every 2 years

Constituency: Senators represent their entire state

Who is the presiding officer of the Senate?

The Vice President

The presiding officer in the Senate is the Vice President. Currently the Vice President is Joe Biden (D) from

Delaware

Who runs the Senate if the Vice President isn’t there?

Patrick Leahy sworn in as Senate President Pro Tempore - Posted by Ed O'Keefe on December 18, 2012 at 11:56 am

The United States Constitution states that the Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate, despite not being a senator, and that the Senate must choose a president pro tempore. By a long-standing tradition which has been observed consistently since the 81st Congress (January 1949 – January 1951), the president pro tempore is the most senior senator in the majority party.

President Pro Temp

What are the qualifications for becoming a Senator?

Senate Member Qualifications

30 years of ageCitizen of U.S. for at least 9 yearsLive in state he/she represents

Your Senators…Marco Rubio(R)Bill Nelson(D)

Florida’s Senators 2012

Marco Rubio – Rep. born and raised in Miami from Cuban American Family since 2010http://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/

Bill Nelson – Dem. Bill Nelson was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2000, after serving six years as a member of the Florida Cabinet.

Dear Mr. Raymond, Thank you for writing me with your suggestions on how to reform Congress.  These are important issues and I appreciate hearing your thoughts.  I also have frustrations with the process in Washington and I appreciate you bringing me your suggestions for how Congress can be reformed.  When I ran for the U.S. Senate, I made a commitment to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of government.  Like you, I share your passion for a fair and functioning government.  To that end, I cosponsored S.J.Res. 2, introduced by Senator David Vitter of Louisiana.  If enacted, S.J.Res. 2 would limit the number of terms that a member of Congress could serve, three terms in the House of Representatives and two terms in the U.S. Senate.  Additionally, this legislation would eliminate automatic pay increases for members of Congress.  I am hopeful that this commonsense legislation will be adopted and signed into law.  Please know that I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure that Congress is a more open, transparent institution.  I also encourage you to continue to be vigilant and to hold members of Congress accountable for their votes.  It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your United States Senator.  I appreciate you offering your opinion on this issue.  If I can ever be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Sincerely,

Marco RubioUnited States Senator 

Cross-ComparisonSenate House of Representatives

100 members 435 members

30 years old to serve 25 years old to serve

9 year U.S. citizen 7 year U.S. citizen

6 year term of office 2 year term of office

More prestige/name recognition

Less prestige/name recognition

2 / State regardless of size-Marco Rubio (R)-Bill Nelson (D)

Each represents 680,000 people-27 districts in FL-18th Congressional District Rep: Iliana

Responsibilities:- Try elected officials when they have been impeached- Approve appointed officials: judges, cabinet members, ambassadors- Approve treaties

Responsibilities:- Can bring charges against elected officials (impeachment)- Revenue bills must begin in the house

Review

Representation for each state in the House of Representatives is determined by …?.

The US Census

End of Course Question

How does the U. S. Constitution provide for stability and continuity in the Senate?

a. By requiring members to be 30 years of age

or older

b. Reelections every two years for one-third of

the Senate

c. By requiring members to be legal citizens

d. Giving each state two senators

End of Course Question

One of the way that the Founding Fathers ensured the House would have the best representation was to include which of the following in the United States Constitution?

a. By requiring members to be 25 years of age

or older

b. Requiring reelection of members every two

years

c. Requiring all members to be lawyers

d. Requiring members to be part of special

committees

End of Course Question

How many members serve in the House of Representatives?

a. 26

b. 100

c. 65

d. 435

End of Course Question

How many members serve in the Senate

a. 26

b. 100

c. 65

d. 435

End of Course Question

If the President Pro Tempore is presiding in the Senate, which of the following is not present?

a. president

b. Majority leader

c. Vice President

d. Floor leader

End of Course Question

11. According to Article V, both Congress and the states must participate in the amendment process.

This requirement reflects which of the following ideas about the distribution of power in America?

a. separation of church and government

b. separation of the three branches of

government

c. the importance of federalism

d. the importance of the state powers

End of Course Question

If the President Pro Tempore is presiding in the Senate, which of the following is not present?

a. president

b. Majority leader

c. Vice President

d. Floor leader

End of Course QuestionWhat is the difference between the Speaker of the House and the president pro tempore?

a. The Speaker of the House is in charge of the Senate

and House when they are in session.

b. The president pro tempore is in charge of the

Senate and the House when they are in session.

c. The Speaker of the House is just in charge of the

House. The president pro tempore is just in charge of

the Senate.

d. The Speaker of the House is only in charge when

the vice

president is not president.

End of Course Question

How is the Speaker of the House selected?

a. selected by members of their party

b. selected by seniority

c. selected by the constituents

d. selected by the House of Representatives

End of Course Question

Which of the following do the whips play an important role of ensuring in Congress?

a. Party members are committed to voting along

party lines.

b. The speaker has support to maintain their

position.

c. Editing legislation through committees.

d. Party members are supporting the president.

End of Course Question

Why is the seniority system in Congress an effective way to select leaders and assign committee members?

a. it offers new members the ability to learn from

experienced

members

b. new members are not capable of holding

leadership positions

c. they are better leaders

d. experienced leaders make the best decisions

End of Course Question

Why are joint committees beneficial to the law making process?

a. it aligns members from both houses so that they

can create the

details of bills together

b. it fosters and builds bipartisan relationships

c. it allows the speaker and the president pro tempore

to work

together

d. it assists whips in promoting bills

End of Course Question

Why is the seniority system in Congress an effective way to select leaders and assign committee members?

a. it offers new members the ability to learn from

experienced

members

b. new members are not capable of holding

leadership positions

c. they are better leaders

d. experienced leaders make the best decisions

Senate Trivia

How many Senators went on to become President?15

• How many members of the Senate have been convicted of crimes?4

o What was the salary of a Senator in 1789? What is the current salary?o $6 per day aprox $168,000

• How many women serve in the 2013 US Senate? 20

Senate Trivia

How many U.S. Senators have participated in the Olympic games? 3

How many U.S. Senators are foreign born? From how many different countries have they come? 58 18 different countries

What is the greatest length of time served thus far by any U.S. Senator? 48 years

What was the age of the oldest Senator while still in office? 100

How many African Americans have served in the U.S. Senate? 6

Congress is older, better educated, more white, more male, and richer than the rest of the United

States…

•There are 43 African-Americans in the House.

•There are 26 Hispanic-Americans in the House.

•Ten Members of the House and Senate are of Asian or Native Hawaiian ancestry.

•There is one Native American in the House.

•The total number of women in Congress is 95. There are 17 in the Senate and 78 in the House, three of whom are non-voting delegates from Washington, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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

Discussion Questions

What relationship exists between the Census Bureau and the distribution of seats among the States in the House of Representatives?

Look at the cross-comparison chart we just completed – what evidence suggests that the House of Representatives was intended to reflect the interests of the people, rather than the States?

Recall the Connecticut Compromise between the small and large states during the writing of the U.S. Constitution…how does the cross-comparison chart reflect that compromise between small and large states?

WHAT CONGRESS DOES, HAS AN EFFECT ON YOU, QUITE

DIRECTLY.

Think for a moment…What types of legislation has congress

established that aff ects you?

Question of the Day

House of Representatives

Gerrymandering Odd shaped districts that have been

drawn to the advantage of the political party that controls one legislature

Goal is to create as many “safe” districts as possible—districts almost certain to be won by the party in control of the line-drawing process.

Did You Know?

Gerrymandering takes its name from Governor Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, who in 1812 drew the State’s legislative districts to favor the Democratic-Republicans. It is said that the painter Gilbert Stuart added a head, wings, and claws on a district map handing over the desk of a Federalist newspaper editor. “That,” he said, “will do for a salamander.” “Better say Gerrymander,” growled the editor.

- The 435 members of the House represent districts of roughly equal populations but very different characteristics.

- House members can serve an unlimited number of 2 year terms.

- The framers expected the House, with its larger size and more frequent elections, to act as the “people’s body”. It was meant to reflect the more volatile, democratic tendencies in American society.

Big Picture

Daily Enduring Understanding

From the instant your alarm clock rings to the moment you go to sleep at night, the work of Congress has a significant impact on your daily life…

An Ordinary Day…

Expressed Powers of Congress

So what happens? The creditor is entitled to payment in some form.

A person assets will be seized and the sold. The money will given to the creditors.

The amount of debt owed by the debtor is wiped clean, once the assets are seized.

The Problem: The debtor will have a hard time getting any loans or credit from any bank or business, making it hard to buy major things.

Commerce PowerThe power of Congress to regulate interstate and foreign

trade Sets how much should be charged for imports

Not in Articles of Confederation 1780s – States fought over trade barriers and laws

Civil Rights Act of 1964: prohibits discrimination “in access to” or “service in” hotels, motels, theaters, and other public accommodations on grounds of race, color, etc…

Power is as vital as the power to tax Many government decisions have been backed up on the power of

the Federal government to regulate commerce between the states

Expressed Powers of Congress

“Congress will establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization…”

Naturalization: Process of becoming a US citizen

Natural born = born in US territory or on US owned property, or to a US citizen.

Naturalized = citizenship gained from another country.

Expressed Powers of Congress

The Basic Process:Must live in the US for 5 years (half must be spent in US)Must be 18 years oldMust speak basic English Must pass a basic civic’s examMust pledge an oath of loyalty

to the US(Can not have a criminal record)

Expatriation: citizenship can be revoked only for naturalized citizens

Expressed Powers of Congress

“Congress shall promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts by securing…exclusive Right to their respective writings and Discoveries.”

Copyright-

Exclusive right to an author for the publication and resale of their work.

Length: Good for life plus 70 years

Foreign Relations Powers

Shares power with Commander in Chief

Congress can: Declare War Raise and support military Provide and maintain a navy

War Powers Resolution of 1973 Restrict the use of American forces in combat

areas where a state of war does not exist.

Expressed Powers of Congress

Foreign relations-

suggest foreign policy, approve treaties

War Powers-

declare war, raise and maintain an army and navy, call up militias (Nat’l Guard), restrict non-war use of troops

Expressed Powers of Congress

Patent-

Exclusive right to a person to manufacture, use, or sell any new invention.

Length: 20 years

Intellectual property covered:

Books, magazines, paintings, movies, design patents, photos, trademarks, trade secrets, etc..,

Expressed Powers of Congress

HTTP: / /WWW.CENTERONCONGRESS.ORG/LEARN_ABOUT/LAUNCHER.HTM

HTTP: / /WWW.CENTERONCONGRESS.ORG/MODULES/LEGISLATIVE_PROCESS/MAIN.HTM

Internet Resources

• As many as 10,000 measures are introduced in the House and Senate during a term of Congress.

•Fewer than 10% ever become law

• “Bipartisanship” : support for a bill from members of both the Democrats and Republicans.

FYIAdditional notes to add to your

graphic organizer