It is BICAMERAL – Two ChambersIt is BICAMERAL – Two Chambers

The larger of the 2 ChambersThe larger of the 2 Chambers

•There are 435 Members of the There are 435 Members of the House.House.

•They are chosen on the basis of They are chosen on the basis of State populationState population

•TWO year term of office.TWO year term of office.

•The whole House is re-elected The whole House is re-elected every 2 yearsevery 2 years

• 362 men ; 76 women362 men ; 76 women• 44 Black ; 25 Hispanic ; 7 Asian ; 1 Native American44 Black ; 25 Hispanic ; 7 Asian ; 1 Native American• Average age 56.7 Average age 56.7 • Professional background: business / public service /politics / lawProfessional background: business / public service /politics / law  

• To consider all money bills firstTo consider all money bills firstThis was originally given to the House as it This was originally given to the House as it was originally the only directly elected was originally the only directly elected chamber (until 1913)chamber (until 1913)

•To Impeach..To Impeach..Any member of the federal government Any member of the federal government executive or judicial branchesexecutive or judicial branches

• To choose a President..To choose a President..In the event that no candidate has In the event that no candidate has received a majority in the electoral collegereceived a majority in the electoral college  

• To pass lawsTo pass laws• To pass the budgetTo pass the budget• To undertake investigations into the actions of the To undertake investigations into the actions of the executive executive branchbranch• To start constitutional amendments by a 2/3rds To start constitutional amendments by a 2/3rds majority in majority in both housesboth houses• To declare warTo declare war• To confirm the appointment of a newly elected vice To confirm the appointment of a newly elected vice PresidentPresident      

• The SPEAKER The SPEAKER is the key figure in is the key figure in the HOR.the HOR.

•There is also a There is also a MAJORITYMAJORITY and and MINORITY LEADERMINORITY LEADER, elected by their , elected by their respective parties. They play a key respective parties. They play a key role of coordinating the day to day role of coordinating the day to day activities of the House as well as activities of the House as well as representing the views of the representing the views of the Chamber in meetings with the Chamber in meetings with the President.President.        

The role of Speaker of the House The role of Speaker of the House is is compared to the role of British PMcompared to the role of British PM more more than Speaker of the House of Commons.than Speaker of the House of Commons.

This is because the US Speaker is This is because the US Speaker is a a partisanpartisan player player rather than neutral rather than neutral umpire. umpire.

Example: Speaker, Example: Speaker, Newt GingrichNewt Gingrich, took a , took a real role in politics in the 1990s with his real role in politics in the 1990s with his ‘Contract with America’‘Contract with America’          

RolesRolesRefers bills to Committees, appoints select committee and conference committee chairs while influencing the appointment of standing committee chairs, Appoints majority party contingent on House rules committee, and presides over the House enforcing its rules.

The most Important of the 2 The most Important of the 2 Chambers?Chambers?

•There are 100 Members of the There are 100 Members of the Senate.Senate.

•2 per State2 per State

•There are 51 Democrats, 47 There are 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans and 2 independents Republicans and 2 independents

• Term of office is Term of office is SIX YEARSSIX YEARS• 1/3rd 1/3rd of candidates are elected of candidates are elected every every TWOTWO years years• Candidates must be over 30 ; An Candidates must be over 30 ; An American citizen for more than American citizen for more than 9years and resident in the State 9years and resident in the State they are standing forthey are standing for  

•TWO year term of office.TWO year term of office.

•The whole House is re-elected The whole House is re-elected every 2 yearsevery 2 years

• 83 men ; 17 women83 men ; 17 women• 0 Black ; 2 Hispanic ; 2 Asian 0 Black ; 2 Hispanic ; 2 Asian •Average age 62.2 Average age 62.2 • Professional background: Law/ public Professional background: Law/ public service /politics : businessservice /politics : business     

• To consider all money bills firstTo consider all money bills firstThis was originally given to the House as it This was originally given to the House as it was originally the only directly elected was originally the only directly elected chamber (until 1913)chamber (until 1913)

•To Impeach..To Impeach..Any member of the federal government Any member of the federal government executive or judicial branchesexecutive or judicial branches

• To choose a President..To choose a President..In the event that no candidate has In the event that no candidate has received a majority in the electoral collegereceived a majority in the electoral college  

1.1.To To RATIFY treaties RATIFY treaties by 2/3rds by 2/3rds majoritymajority

2.2.To To confirm many federal confirm many federal appointments appointments by simple by simple majority (eg supreme court majority (eg supreme court judges, cabinet)judges, cabinet)

3.3.To To try cases of impeachment try cases of impeachment brought by Congress (2/3rds brought by Congress (2/3rds majority needed for majority needed for conviction)conviction)

4.4.To To elect a Vice President elect a Vice President where two or more candidates where two or more candidates are tiedare tied

    

The role of Speaker of the House The role of Speaker of the House is is compared to the role of British PMcompared to the role of British PM more more than Speaker of the House of Commons.than Speaker of the House of Commons.

This is because the US Speaker is This is because the US Speaker is a a partisanpartisan player player rather than neutral rather than neutral umpire. umpire.

Example: Speaker, Example: Speaker, Newt GingrichNewt Gingrich, took a , took a real role in politics in the 1990s with his real role in politics in the 1990s with his ‘Contract with America’‘Contract with America’          

The VICE PRESIDENT The VICE PRESIDENT is the President of is the President of the Senate and has the the Senate and has the right to preside right to preside over the chamber and control the casting over the chamber and control the casting votevote in the event of a tie. in the event of a tie.Normally however the Senate elects a Normally however the Senate elects a President pro temporePresident pro tempore—a senior figure of —a senior figure of the majority party—to chair the chamber in the majority party—to chair the chamber in the VP’s absence.the VP’s absence.Minority and Majority leaders Minority and Majority leaders are also are also important important The Senate, in the absence of a ‘Rules The Senate, in the absence of a ‘Rules committee,’ timetables bills through committee,’ timetables bills through ‘unanimous consent agreements’‘unanimous consent agreements’