VOTING IN CONGRESS:

It’s More Than Just “Yea” or “Naw”

(It’s more than thumbs up or down, too. Sorry.)

Legislative Branch

Legislative (law making) branch Bicameral- two chambers Constituion

Senate

Two senators from each state Must be at least 30, U.S. citizen for nine years, live in state

6 year terms Special duties: approves presidential appointments: ambassadors, judges, and cabinet members

House of Representatives

Population At least 25, 7 years citizen, live in state

Represent interests of citizens in district; 2 years

Special duties; All bills that deal with raising money (like taxes) must start in the House

Checks and Balances

Impeachment Lower Federal courts President can veto Supreme Court can strike down laws

Role of lawmaking

Can start in either chamber Both chambers

Members of Congress think about

FOUR FACTORSFOUR FACTORS when deciding whether to vote for a law.

FACTOR #1FACTOR #1 FACTOR #2FACTOR #2 What is my

personal opinion?

FACTOR #3FACTOR #3 What are the views of my

political party?

FACTOR #4FACTOR #4 What do my voters

think?

Does the Constitution give

Congress the power to pass the

law?

FACTOR #1FACTOR #1

The POWERS of CONGRESSThe POWERS of CONGRESS

Congress is limited by what the Constitution says.The Constitution only gives Congress certain powers.

Like What?

FACTOR #1FACTOR #1

The POWERS of CONGRESSThe POWERS of CONGRESS Here is what the Constitution says Congress can do:•Collect taxes to raise money to pay debts, to defend the country, and to provide for the general welfare of the United States.

FACTOR #1FACTOR #1

The POWERS of CONGRESSThe POWERS of CONGRESS Here is what the Constitution says Congress can do:•Control commerce (business) that happens across state lines, with foreign countries, and with Indian tribes.

FACTOR #1FACTOR #1

The POWERS of CONGRESSThe POWERS of CONGRESS Here is what the Constitution says Congress can do:•Make laws about immigration.•Make laws about bankruptcy.•Establish post offices.

FACTOR #1FACTOR #1

The POWERS of CONGRESSThe POWERS of CONGRESS Here is what the Constitution says Congress can do:•Declare war.•Raise and support armies.

FACTOR #1FACTOR #1 The POWERS of CONGRESSThe POWERS of CONGRESS

Oh, and here’s one more:

•Make all laws that are “necessary and proper” for executing any of these powers.Hold on! What does that

mean?

FACTOR #1FACTOR #1

The POWERS of CONGRESSThe POWERS of CONGRESS

That means Congress can sometimes do things that are not on the list . . .

. . . if it relates to something that is on the list!

MINI QUIZ

Can Congress pass any law it wants to?

A.YES! Congress has the power to do anything.

B.NO! Congress can only do what the Constitution says it can do.

MINI QUIZ

Congress has the power to create armies.

A. True B. False

MINI QUIZ

Congress cannot control business that happens in more than one state.

A. True B. False

MINI QUIZ

Congress may collect taxes for certain

reasons.

A. True B. False

MINI QUIZ

Congress may not make any laws about immigration.

A. True B. False

MINI QUIZ

Congress may make any law as long as it is “necessary

and proper.”

A. True B. False

MINI QUIZ

When may Congress do something that is not

listed in the Constitution?

A. Always B. NeverC.When it relates to something that is listed

D. Only on Thursdays

FACTOR #2FACTOR #2 PERSONAL OPINIONPERSONAL OPINION

Members of Congress are human beings, just like you!Sometimes they agree with a bill…

…and sometimes they are totally against a bill.

No way!

Love it!

FACTOR #3FACTOR #3 POLITICAL PARTY VIEWSPOLITICAL PARTY VIEWS

People in a political party share similar values.

They work for laws that reflect those values.

FACTOR #3FACTOR #3 POLITICAL PARTY VIEWSPOLITICAL PARTY VIEWS For a member of Congress, being in a political party is like being on a team.

Members of the team support each other and try to create

bills that reflect their values.

FACTOR #3FACTOR #3 POLITICAL PARTY VIEWSPOLITICAL PARTY VIEWS

Usually members of Congress agree with their political party about bills.

But sometimes they don’t.

FACTOR #4FACTOR #4 VOTERSVOTERS

There would be too many people in Congress if everyone went . . .

So voters choose a few people to represent them.

FACTOR #4FACTOR #4 VOTERSVOTERS

People in Congress are responsible for representing the voters back home.

So they’d better think about those voters, because…

FACTOR #4FACTOR #4 VOTERSVOTERS

Voters send people to Congress . . .

. . . and voters can kick people out!

MINI QUIZ

Members of Congress vote based only on their personal

opinions.A.TRUE! Personal

opinion is the only factor.

B.FALSE! They consider other factors too.

MINI QUIZ

Members of Congress always agree with their political

party about bills.

A. True B. False

MINI QUIZ

When considering a bill, members of Congress should

think about...

A. Only themselves B. Voters back homeC. People on the moon

MINI QUIZ

If members of Congress do a bad job, voters can kick

them out.

A. True B. False

MINI QUIZ

In Congress, being in a political party is like

being on a...

A. Team B. Game showC. Surf board

MINI QUIZ

People in the same political party share similar…

A. Eye color B. Opinions about movies

C. Values

MINI QUIZ

When considering a bill, members of Congress usually

think about…

A. Their own opinions B. The Constitution C. Political party views

D. What voters think E. All of the above