Legislative Branch

Legislature House of Representatives• Broken into a bicameral

Congress– House of Representatives

• Elected every 2 years

• Each state gets a proportional representation

– One per @ 660,000 citizens

» 435 total– Alaska has one

(Don Young)» New census

changes placement of representatives

House of Representatives

– Original idea for number of reps. in the Constitution.• One per every 30,000 citizens

– Arguments in Federal Convention about number of reps» Some thought 1 per 40,000. some for 1 per 15 or 20

thousand» Some argued in favor of an accurate portrayal of

society (proportional number for each occupation)– there would be around 9400 representatives if the

original idea was still being followed» 1929 law limited the number to 435

Senate

• The Senate is made up of 2 senators from each state– Elected every 6 years

• Not all senators are elected each rotation

– Removes the proportional representation – Each state becomes equal in stature

Lisa Murkowski

Dan Sullivan

Senate

– Equality among states is often seen as unfair• States with small populations gain power in the

Senate– Ted Stevens

» Was 4th in line for president» Chairman of powerful committees

– Senate was created as a way to “check” the power of the House• Framers were afraid of power being in the hands of

the people

Senate

• A way was needed to replace the upper class and still protect their interests

– States developed the Senate– Senate given the power

» to confirm appointees» To ratify treaties» To try impeachments