One useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, three or more is congress. -John Adams

One useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, three or more is congress. -John Adams

Legislate: turn public will into public policy (laws) Help their constituents deal with the federal bureaucracy (Veterans and Social Security benefits)

Why? I. The Connecticut Compromise II. To diffuse Congress power Each house has similar but distinct powers and its own rules.

Lower House

Size: 435 VOTING MEMBERS CALLED CONGRESSMEN OR REPRESENTATIVES # of Seats based on state populations (Every 10 years) Each state is guaranteed at least one seat. Length of Term: 2 years/unlimited terms)

Each state is divided into congressional districts of 640-650,000 constituents. CONGRESSMAN S CONSTITUENCY: ALL THE PEOPLE OF HIS/HER DISTRICT.

CONGRESSMAN FRED UPTON R-MI 6 th DISTRICT 25 years of age 7 year citizen of the U.S. Live in State and District you represent. http://www.c-spanclassroom.org/lesson/205/constitution+clips+attained+to+the+age+of+twenty+five+years.aspx

Speaker of the House Leader of the House, elected by the membership Sets the rules and legislative agenda (what bills get heard) Appoints committee chairs Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin)

State governments may re-draw the borders of congressional districts. Called Gerrymandering Done to ensure a district is held by one party or another. Goal is to create as many safe districts as possible.

oto consider all revenue bills first oto impeach oto choose POTUS(in the case of an electoral college tie

Upper House

Size: 100 members, two from each State Term: 6 years/unlimited terms Constituency: Entire state The VP presides over the senate but may only vote to break a 50/50 tie SENATE MAJORITY LEADER Mitch McConnell R-KY

Originally intended to represent the will of state governments who elected senators. Changed by 17 th Amendment; Senators now elected by the people of their state. Called a continuous body because of their Staggered terms only 1/3 of Senate is up for re-election at any one time.

Trying officials who have been impeached by the House Confirming key presidential appointments (1,212 positions) Ratifying treaties

30 Y.O. Citizen of U.S. for at least 9 years Live in state he/she represents Your Senators Gary Peters (D) Debbie Stabenow (D)

UNLIKE THE HOUSE, DEBATE IN THE SENATE IS VIRTUALLY UNLIMITED. One tool of this is the filibuster. A senator can speak indefinitely to delay passage of a bill. REQUIRES a supermajority (60 votes) vote to stop.

Powers OF CONGRESS

Congress has the power to: Borrow Money Tax Regulate interstate & foreign commerce Coin Money MAKE BANKRUPTCY LAWS

Congress has the power to: Declare War Raise a military Ratify treaties (S) Hire privateers Use the military to end rebellion

JUDICIAL POWERS Set punishments for federal crimes Impeachment They can organize all federal courts below SCOTUS

Oversight: (Investigating the other branches to ensure they are acting properly) Decide who becomes a citizen Copyright Laws

CONGRESS HAS THE POWER TO: Establish a post office Govern Washington D.C. Acquire land from the states for federal use

The President and Congress often conflict because of: Party politics Different priorities/agendas Disputes over Power/Checks & Balances

Articles of impeachment (formal charges) passed by the House If these pass, they go on trial in the Senate If the Senate finds the accused guilty, he/she may be removed from office

Pigeonhole Table Kill Amend PASS Bill introduced to House Bill assigned to committee Bill introduced to the Senate Bill assigned to committee Pigeonhole Table Kill Amend PASS AMEND PASS DEFEATED Bill heads to full House for debate & vote Bill heads to full Senate for debate & vote AMEND PASS DEFEATED OVERRIDE 2/3 vote of ea house Bill must pass both Houses with same language If not, goes to Conference Committee. House Approval Bill heads to POTUS Senate Approval SIGN NO SIGN VETO POTUS

A bill is drafted & proposed

Introduction HOUSE Bill introduced and given to Speaker of the House SENATE Bill introduced and given to Majority Leader f

HOUSE Bill referred to standing committee d Committee Action SENATE Bill referred to standing committee d *Most bills die here: Revised /Amended Pigeonholed Tabled Killed *Most bills die here: Revised/Amended Pigeonholed Tabled Killed

Floor Action HOUSE Bill debated, then: Amended Passed Defeated Referred to committee If passed, bill goes to Senate SENATE Bill debated, then: Amended Passed Defeated Referred to committee If passed, bill goes to House

Conference Committee If the bill passes one house, but then goes to the other house where it passes, but with changes, it must go to a conference committee who produce a single version for both houses to vote on. Both houses then vote the reconciliation bill up or down without changing it.

Congressional Approval House and Senate vote on final passage Approved bill sent to President

PRESIDENTIAL ACTION President signs, vetoes, or allows bill to become law without signing (10 Days). Vetoed bills return to Congress 2/3 vote of each house will override

FYI As many as 10,000 measures are introduced in the House and Senate during a term of Congress. Fewer than 10% ever become law Bipartisanship : support for a bill from members of both the Democrats and Republicans.