Purpose The purpose of the legislative branch is to make
laws.
Slide 3
Bicameralism Bicameral= two chambers. There is a House of
Representatives and a Senate. According to the Connecticut
Compromise, the membership of the House was determined by a states
population and the membership of the Senate was determined by
equality. A bicameral Congress is also important so that each
chamber may check the power of the other. In a republican
government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates. The
remedy for this inconveniency is to divide the legislature into
different branches--------- James Madison
Slide 4
Bicameralism - The House of Representatives 435
representatives, the state of California has the most with 53. The
number is fixed by Congress, that is apportioned (distributed)
among the states. Article I of the Constitution calls Congress to
reapportion every decennial census. (every ten years) House members
may serve an unlimited number of terms. Reapportionment Act 1929
sets the size of the House at 435.
Slide 5
Bicameralism The Senate The size of the senate=100 There are
two senators for every state. Senators tend to have much more
prestige than representatives WHY? Senate is considered a
continuous body since a Senators term is staggered.
Slide 6
Organization of the Leadership of the House of Representatives
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R- Oh) Leader of the House and
elected by the majority. John Boehner (R) Ohio
Slide 7
House Leadership (cont) Majority Leader House (R)Eric Cantor
Va
Slide 8
House Leadership (cont) Majority Whip (R)Kevin McCarthy Ca Job
is to collect votes for the party
Slide 9
House Leadership (cont) Minority Leader= the person responsible
for members of the minority party. Minority Leader (D) Nancy Pelosi
Ca
Slide 10
House Leadership (cont) Minority Whip (D) Steny Hoyer MD Job is
to collect votes for the party.
Slide 11
Organization of the Leadership in the Senate President of the
Senate Joe Biden (Vice President of the United States) (D) Delaware
An example of Checks and Balances
Slide 12
President Pro Tempore of the Senate Patrick Leahy (D-VT )
Slide 13
Senate Leadership (cont) Majority Leader Harry Reid (D)
Nevada
Slide 14
Senate Leadership (cont) Richard Durbin (D) Ill Majority Party
Whip Collect votes for the party
Slide 15
Senate Leadership (cont) Mitch McConnel (R) KY Minority Leader
Leads opposition to the majority party
Slide 16
Senate Leadership (Cont) John Cornyn (R-TX) Minority Whip
Collect votes for the party
Slide 17
II. The Powers of Congress Bell Work: What are the three
specific powers of Congress stated in the Constitution?
Slide 18
Specific Powers of Congress Expressed Powers Implied Powers
Inherent Powers
Slide 19
A. Expressed Powers The expressed powers are also called
enumerated powers These are powers written into the
Constitution.
Slide 20
The Power to Tax Purpose of taxes is to bring money into the
government to provide for the common defense and general welfare of
the United States. 1.Congress may collect for public not private
purposes 2.Congress may not tax exports 3.Direct taxes must be
apportioned among the states by population 4.Indirect taxes must be
levied at the same rate.
Slide 21
The Power to Tax Taxes may be progressive (income tax- the 16
th Amendment) or regressive (Social Security)
Slide 22
The Borrowing Power Congress has the power to borrow money,
Congress may borrow from programs, individuals, or other
countries.
Slide 23
The Commerce Power The power to regulate interstate and foreign
trade Gibbons v. Ogden
Slide 24
The Currency Power Congress has the right to coin money.
Slide 25
War Powers Congress has the sole authority to declare war.
Maintain an Army and Navy Make laws governing land and naval forces
To provide the summoning of state militia