LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (CONGRESS)

KEY TERMS1. bicameral – 2 house legislature2. gerrymandering – draw district lines (in odd shapes) to

favor a group of people3. constituents – citizens represented by elected leaders4. congressional record – public voting record of members

of Congress5. franking privilege – send mail for free6. immunity – protected from certain arrests and lawsuits7. expulsion – kicked out by Congress with 2/3 vote8. incumbent- the official currently serving office

** #1 advantage incumbents have is name recognition

I. Elections (Congress)

A. held every 2 years (even years)

B. first Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November of even years

C. inauguration takes place Jan. 3

II. Congressional sessions (meet at least 1x per year)

A. Regular session – normal meetings of Congress

B. Special session – emergency meetings of Congress (called by Pres.)

C. Joint session – house and senate meet together

Ex: state of the union speech by President

III. Congressional Committees

A. standing committees – hear information on bills; standing committees are divided into subcommittees (public hearings)

B. select committee – temporary committee usually for investigations

C. joint committee – committee made of members from both houses

-EX: conference committee – compromise on 2 different versions of the same bill

IV. Other powers of Congress

A. enumerated – war, money, and militaryB. implied – necessary and proper clauseC. non legislative powers

1. treaties – approved by Senate2. appointments – approved by Senate3. amendments – proposed by 2/3of Congress4. impeach – house impeaches; senate does trial