Debate I

Mr. Machado

Monarch High School

CONGRESSIONAL

DEBATE

FEDERALISM

• The concept that authority is shared between the national or central government, and the governments of states and territories, which further grant authority to municipalities (cities, towns, counties).

THE CONSTITUTION

• The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. The Constitution, originally comprising seven articles, delineates the national frame of government.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• The United States House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the United States Congress. It is frequently referred to as The House.

• The major power of the House is to pass federal legislation that affects the entire country, although its bills must also be passed by the Senate and further agreed to by the U.S. President before becoming law.

• States are represented in The House in approximate proportion to their populations, with every state guaranteed at least one seat. There are currently 435 voting representatives.

SENATE • The United States Senate is a legislative chamber that

makes up the United States Congress.

• Each state is represented by two senators, regardless of populations, who serve staggered six-year terms.

• he Senate has several exclusive powers not granted to the House, including consenting to treaties and confirming appointments of Cabinet secretaries, federal judges, among other executive officials.

CONGRESS• The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature

of the federal government of the United States consisting of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

• The House and Senate are equal partners in the legislative process—legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers.

• However, the Constitution grants each chamber some unique powers.

POWERS OF CONGRESS• Include, but are not limited to:

• Empowers House of Representatives to originate taxation and impeachment, and Senate for trying impeachment (2/3 vote = conviction), concurring or amending taxation.

• Regulate Commerce and Banking

• “Necessary and Proper” clause: “elastic” - implied powers, U.S. Code

• The Congress shall have Power ... To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

LEGISLATION

• A specific, written proposal (“bill” or “resolution”) made by a member or committee for assembly to debate.

BILL

• A type of legislation that describes the details of how a policy would be enacted, if voted into law by the assembly.

RESOLUTION • Expression of conviction, or value belief of an assembly, which

may urge, request or suggest further action by another decision-making authority.

• Resolutions are simply position statements on issues Congress does not have jurisdiction over (such as a foreign issue, although a bill can suggest foreign aid), a recommendation to another party (such as the President, Supreme Court, or United Nations) or further action (such as amending the Constitution).

• Resolutions lack the force of law, and never establish enforcement.

JURISDICTION• The practical authority granted to a formally

constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility. The term is also used to denote the geographical area or subject-matter to which such authority applies. Areas of jurisdiction apply to local, state, and federal levels.

DOCKET

• A complete packet of legislation (“bills” or “resolutions”) distributed by a tournament.

AGENDA

• The order of legislation as suggested by a committee or member, and voted on by the assembly (sometimes called the calendar).

PRESIDING OFFICER

• The leader who runs meetings by recognizing members to speak or move.

• Also called the Chair.• Modeled after the Speaker of the House of

Representatives, or the Vice President or President pro tempore of the Senate.

FLOOR

• When a member has the full attention of the assembly to speak (also refers to the area where the assembly meets, where its members speak, and where it conducts its business).

COMMITTEE

• A small group of members who meet and bring recommendations to the full assembly.

AMENDMENT

• A specific change to an item of legislation, explaining exactly which words it modifies, and not changing the intent of the legislation itself.

AUTHORSHIP SPEECH

• A constructive speech of up to three (3) minutes given by a member, which introduces an item of legislation for debate by the chamber.

QUESTIONING

• A period where the members of the assembly ask individual questions of the speaker.

• Multiple-part (or two-part) questions are not allowed because they take time from other members who may wish to question the speaker.

PRECEDENCE

• The standard rule in most leagues, which requires the presiding officer to choose speakers who have spoken least (or not at all).

CHAMBER

• Large room(s) used for the purpose of discussing legislations such as bills, and resolutions.