The U.S. Congress

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White board challenge!

* * Quick Review * * _________is the name given to the body

of people who make up the ____________ Branch of the Federal Government.

Main role in the government is to make

the nation’s ______.

Made up of two houses:

- The Senate

- The House of Representatives

CongressLegislative

(100)

(435)

laws

What Influences the members of Congress’votes?

Personal beliefs

Interests of the Constituents

Concerns of Interest Groups

Loyalty to Political Parties

Which is the most important?

Personal Beliefs

Do you think representatives should consider their personal beliefs when making decisions?

U.S. Capitol“Capitol Hill”

“Constituents” the residents of the Congress members’ local district or state.

State Assembly (District 9) Assembly Member Richard Pan -DEM State Senate (District 5) Senator Cathleen Galgiani-DEM

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/CA

Congressional districts for HoR

Our U.S. Representatives

Our District Representatives http://www.house.gov/representatives/#sta

te_ca California Representatives http://www.house.gov/htbin/findrep?ZIP=9

5632&x=0&y=0

Our U.S. Senators

Dianne Feinstein Barbara Boxer

Interest Groups

People acting together to achieve

shared political goals.

American Association of Retired Persons ( AARP )

- 38 Million Members @ 12.50 a year membership

National Education Association ( NEA )

- 3.2 Million members paying almost $300M in yearly dues.

National Rifle Association ( NRA )

- 4 Million members

Interest Group Advertisements

Video: new NRA commercial against Obama's 2013 Gun Ban

Video: NEA - Speak Up! campaign - Education Support Professionals ad

“Political Action Committees”Branches of interest groups that participate in government issues and contribute money to campaigns electing Congress members.

https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/superpacs.php?cycle=2012

Who are your legislators? What district do you live in?

SenateHouseCA SenateCA Assembly

Section 2

House and Members of Congress

Membership in the House of Representatives

Membership in the House of Representatives is based upon the _____________ of each state.

(California has 53)

State population is determined by a “_________”Taken every 10 years

The census is used to establish equal “Congressional Districts” within a given state.

population

census

Membership in the House of Representatives

The Current House of Representatives has 435 “Voting” Members. (the first Congress had 65)

“Non-voting” delegates include :

• Washington D.C. (District of Columbia)

• Guam

• Virgin Islands

• America Somoa

These members can have an active role in debate and can voice concerns in committees, but do not have voting privileges for passing legislation.

Congressional Districts

Following a census, the state Legislatures have the task of drawing the boundaries for Congressional Districts in their states.

Gerrymandering The practice of establishing district lines that may

favor one political party or group over another.Often drawn to meet political party interest

Constitutional Pay

Members of Congress have the authority to determine the salary of the U.S. Congress. (currently $174,000 year )

27th Amendment was put in place to check and balance their power.New salary takes affect in next congress

Privileges given to House and Senate members…

FrankingFree postage to district and state.

ImmunityCannot be sued for anything they say, andcannot be arrested on the way to the Capitol forany session of Congress (unless it is a capitalcrime.)

Basic Info about Congress

House of Representatives ___ years old ___ years Citizenship ___ year Term Entire house elected

every 2 years Resident of state

elected

United States

Senate ___ years old ___ years Citizenship ___ year term One third of senate

elected every 2 years Resident of state elected

2

7

25 30

9

6

Review!

Ball toss White board race

Section 3

Powers of Congress

Powers of Congress

Expressed Powers Special Powers

Some by Senate, some by House Implied Powers

Necessary and Proper Clause Limits on Power

Expressed Powers

Article I, Section 8 Regulate foreign and interstate commerce Coin and print money Provide and maintain military forces

Special Powers Impeaching Officials Ratifying Treaties

Requires a 2/3 vote Approving Appointments

Requires majority voteCan reject all appointments made by President, including

Supreme Court Justices Deciding Elections

If no president wins majority of electoral votes, House gets 1 vote/state

Limits on PowerEx Post Facto

A law that applies to an action that took place before the law was passed.

Bill of Attainder

A law that punishes a person who has not been convicted in a court of law.

Writ of Habeas Corpus Police must bring all persons accused to a court and provide evidence to justify their imprisonment.

Ex Post Facto

Anyone in the class wearing a pair of jeanstoday loses 20 points from their grade.

This law was made up after the fact that people have come to the class.

A law that goes into effect tomorrow would not be considered “Ex-Post Facto”

Bill of Attainder

A law that specifically targets a person or group resulting in punishment without any justification from a court trial.

Bill of Attainder

EXAMPLE:

All Japanese persons are forbidden from sailing into Pearl Harbor during December.

This punishes people without them having a court case determine if they should be.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A person who is brought to jail must be charged with a crime within 48 hours or released.

Additional Information

Impeachment Powers The Process of Impeaching a President

has many steps.

There are 2 major steps to focus on:

A) House voting to Impeach (charge)

B) Senate holding a trial to determine guilt

Impeachment Process (House)

A House Impeachment Committee is asked to investigate claims that the President has committed a “high crime” against the U.S.

The committee finds enough evidence to write up the Articles. ( Official charges of criminal activity )

The Articles are brought to the entire House of Reps for a discussion and vote.

(A majority vote is necessary to pass)

Impeachment Process (Senate)

1. After Articles of Impeachment are approved by a majority vote of the House, the Senate will hold a trial to determine the guilt of the President.

2. A 2/3rds vote is needed to remove a President from office.

Impeaching PresidentClinton

Pres. Clinton Impeachment

Two(2) Articles of Impeachment are passed by the House of Representatives in December,1998.

Text of Impeachment Articles against Clinton

2 other articles were written by the committee but were not

passed by the entire House of Representatives.

• Article 2 “Obstruction of Justice”

• Article 1 Perjury……“Lying under Oath”

Pres. Clinton Impeachment

Because Impeachment charges were approved by the full House of Representatives, a trial by the Senate is scheduled to take place.

Pres. Clinton Impeachment

The trial does not result in removal from office A 55-45 vote on Article 1 “Lying under Oath”

Voting not guilty (10 Rep, 45 Dem)

Voting guilty (45 Rep, 0 Dem)

A 50-50 vote on Article 2 “Obstruction Charge”

Voting not guilty (5 Rep, 45 Dem)

Voting guilty (50 Rep, 0 Dem)

Pres. Clinton Impeachment

Electing a U.S. President

(after a failed Electoral College result )

House of Representatives

If no candidate receives the majority of the Electoral Votes, the House of Representatives is responsible for choosing the President.

Senate Votes for Vice Pres.

If no candidate receives the majority of the Electoral Votes, the U.S. Senate is responsible for choosing the Vice President.