Unit 2: The Legislative Branch

Congress

Bicameral:1.House of Representatives(Population, 435)2. Senate(Equal,100)a. Historicalb. Practicalc. Theoretical

Powers of Congress

(1)Expressed Powers (ARTICLE I)- Powers listed in Constitution1. Regulate trade2. Tax3. Borrow money4. Coin money5. Declare War6. Maintain Military

Powers of Congress

(3) Implied Powers-Powers understood becauseof Constitution1. Punish tax evaders2. Regulate immigration3. Regulate banking4. Establish minimum wage5. Mail fraud, bar shipping

Powers of Congress

(4) Nonlegislative Powers- Powers/duties1. Electoral Duties: elect of President, VP (no

majority)2. Executive Duties: Confirms

appointments/treaties3. Constitutional Amendments: Propose

amendments

Powers of Congress

4. Investigate: information for laws, focus public attention on issue5. Impeach and Try: bring charges against

The National Legislature

• Term:– House: 2 years– Senate: 6 years– Starts “noon of the 3rd day of January every odd numbered

year”– 111th term of Congress: January 2009-2011

• Session:– Period Congress assembles and conducts business– Recess granted– Special Session: Only President calls Congress into special

session, can call both houses or individual

Members of Congress• Typically white male, late

50’s, married, educated• Job:

– Delegate: agents of people– Trustees: decision on merit– Partisans: allegiance to

political party– Politicos: balance all roles

• Compensation:– $168,000 per year– Speaker $212,000– Senate leaders $183,500– Many benefits

The House of RepresentativesMEMBERSHIP:• 435 members, not fixed by

Congress• Apportioned by population• Two year term• Chosen by 435 congressional

districts• Must be 25 years old• Citizen 7 years, live in state and

(district they represent, not in Constitution)

• House members tend to be younger, less wealthy, and represent a wider range of occupations

Powers of the House

Gerrymandering:• District lines drawn to advantage of the political party

– Leaving districts safe in dominant party– Spread opposition thinly among districts, limiting ability to

win– Creates “safe” districts

•All Revenue Bills must start in the House•All Charges of Impeachment must start in the House

The Senate• 100 Senators (2 per state)• Smaller, more responsible• Chosen by State legislatures

(at large)• Senators tend to be older,

wealthier, and are from “professions”

• Only one Senator up for election at a time

• 6 year term– No limit on terms– Terms staggered– Continuous body: all seats

never up at same time

The Senate• Must be 30• Citizen 9 years, live in state representing• Informal qualifications:

– Party– Name– Familiarity– Gender– Ethnicity– Political experience

POWERS:• Tries all Charges of Impeachment• Approves all Presidential appointments• Approves all foreign treaties

Committees in Congress• Standing:

– Permanent, considers all bills– 20 in House, 16 in Senate

• Select:– Temporary, set up for special purpose– Speaker/ President of Senate appoints members

• Joint:– Composed by members of both houses– Investigate issues

• Conference:– Temporary– Resolves differences on bills in House and Senate– Produces compromise