THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCHBy: Jolie Beckman

THE MAIN FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT

The main function of the legislative branch is to work on the control of the action of government, and to pass laws.

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THE MEETING PLACE The Legislative branch meets in the

capitol building, in Washington D.C. The meetings begin on the third day of January every odd year.

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THE NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS

There are a total of 435 members of representatives in our congress. Wow! The number of representatives is chosen by the population.

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WISCONSIN REPRESENTATIVES In Wisconsin we have an average population, so we have 8

representatives in Washington D.C. Our representatives are; Tammy Baldwin, Steve Kagen, Ron Kind, Gwen Moore, David Obey, Thomas Petri, Paul Ryan, and F. James Sensenbrenner.

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QUALIFICATIONS OF A REPRESENTATIVE

To be a representative, you have to be 25 years old. You have to be a resident of the United States for seven years old. Lastly, you have to live in the state you’re representing.

25 7 YEARSImage found at www.google.com/images

THE TERM OF A REPRESENTATIVE A representative stays in the house for

only two years. Every year some representatives go up for re-election.

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THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE REPRESENTATIVES

The Presiding officer for the House of representatives is Nancy Pelosi. Nancy is a member of the democratic party. She is the first women to be the presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

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THE SENATE The second house of congress is the

Senate. There are a total of 100 members in the Senate. Every state has a total of 2 senators, which are chosen by equality.

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WISCONSIN’S SENATORS As you know Wisconsin has two senators. Our senators are

Herb Kohl, and Russ Feingold.

Herb Kohl Russ FeingoldImages are found at www.google.com/images

QUALIFICATIONS OF A SENATOR Have to be 30 years old Be a resident of the U.S for 9 years Live in the state you’re representing

30 9 YEARS

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THE TERM OF A SENATOR The term of a senator goes for 6 years.

Also, every two years two-thirds of the senate goes up for re-election.

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THE SENATE’S PRESIDING OFFICERS

JOE BIDEN DANIEL INOUYE Vice President Is a member of the

democratic party He has a dog named;

Senator.

He’s the president pro tempore (back up for Joe Biden)

He’s a member of the democratic party.

He’s the oldest senator there.

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THE IMPEACHMENT PROJECT The impeachment process is, the accusing of am

official of wrongdoing. The House of Representatives begin the process by accusing the official. Then the official is tried by the senate. The Supreme Court’s Chief Justice, acts as the judge. Two thirds of the Senate has to vote to remove the official if guilty.

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HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW For a bill to become a law, it goes through many steps. A bill starts out as an

idea from either the House or Senate. Then, it becomes a bill. The bill is then represented to the committee of that house. That same house has a quorum, or one over half of the members. After the quorum is over, the other house has a committee on the bill. They also have a quorum. Once both houses have a quorum, they combine into a joint committee. Once the joint committee is finished the bill, it goes to our president. If the president approves it, the bill becomes a law. If the president disapproves, it goes back to the quorum it started in. If two-thirds of that house tries to over ride it, it goes to the other house. Then it is up to that house to have two-thirds of the members to completely override the president. If both houses have two thirds of its members vote for it, they override the president, it becomes a law. If the president sends it back and there are no changes to it, the bill dies.

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THE 4 POWERS OF CONGRESS The congress has 4 types of powers. The first power congress has is

called, an elastic clause. This power allows the Congress to make laws whenever it’s necessary. The second power is the enumerated powers. The enumerated powers are written power given to the Congress by the Constitution. An Example would be to provide a military. Next is the implied powers. These powers are generally given to Congress. They don’t have enough information about the details. The last power Congress has is called the inherit powers. Inherit powers are unlisted that they must have in the Government. An example would be to conduct foreign affairs. Those are the four powers of Congress.

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THE LIMITS OF CONGRESS AND STATES There are a total of five limits on the states and Congress. First, there was a

limitation where Congress could not make laws outlawing the slave trade. This was changed after the Civil War. The second limitation is the government can’t take away the right to have a fair trail. This also refers to the term habeas corpus, or “you shall have the body.” If you are not guilty or guilty, you can appear in court. Next, Congress cannot convict someone of a crime and not give them a trail. This law is know as the bills of attainder. Another limitation is that congress cannot put you in jail for breaking a law when it was not a law when you did it. Say on Wednesday Mr. Y stole someone's mail. Thursday a law was passed saying you can’t steal peoples mail. You can’t be punished because the law was passed on Thursday, and you did it on Wednesday. Finally, the last one is Congress can’t issue nobility titles. Unlike the Medieval Times, there can’t be peasants, knights, lords, or duchesses. Besides limits, there are also powers. The delegated powers are given to the national government. Concurrent powers are shared amongst the states and government. Lastly, the reserved powers re only the states.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A MEMBER OF CONGRESS?

I would like to become a member of the Legislative Branch. I want to be a member because then I get a say in the laws that I think will benefit the nation. Also I can come up with some bills of my own. Another reason is, I can help support the military. That is why I would like to become a member of this branch.

WHAT LAW WOULD YOU CHANGE? If I was a member of congress, I would like to

change the immigration law. The immigrants should be legal citizen. Illegal citizens are taking our jobs. The unemployment rate which is very high, is hard, especially when we’re in a recession. Also, our taxes are paying for their bills. That is a law I would change if I was a member of congress.

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HOW DOES THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH IMPACT YOUR LIFE?

This branch impacts my life a lot. It passes laws to help keep my rights. It is also important because it tries to keep the nation free of trouble. The legislative branch is important because life would be miserable without it.

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