Chapter 5 The Legislative Branch Section 1: Section 2: Section 3: Section 4: The Senate and the House of Representatives How Congress Is Organized The Powers of Congress How a Bill Becomes a Law
Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives The Main Idea Congress is divided into two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives, and its members have certain qualifications. Reading Focus What are the two houses of Congress? What are the qualifications, salaries, and rules of conduct for members of Congress?
Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives Members and terms lengths in the House and the Senate: The House of Representatives has 435 members, who serve two-year terms. The Senate has 100 members, two for each state, who serve six-year terms.
Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives Qualifications and salaries in the House and Senate: Representatives: must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and a legal resident of the state they represent Senators: must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and a legal resident of the state they represent The yearly salary is $145,100.
Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives Misconduct by members of Congress: May lead to expulsion, removal from Congress, with a vote of two thirds of other members May lead to censure, a written reprimand
SECTION 1 CIVICS Question: In what ways does Congress deal with misconduct by its members? Legislative Misconduct HOW Censure Expulsion DESCRIPTION written reprimand removing a member from Congress
Section 2: How Congress Is Organized The Main Idea Congress is organized in a way that allows its members to consider and pass legislation without each member having to do everything. Reading Focus What are the terms and sessions of Congress? How is Congress organized?
Section 2: How Congress Is Organized Congressional Sessions Two sessions per term Sessions begin in January each year, and a date to adjourn is agreed upon. Sessions usually adjourn in August or September. The president may call a special session when necessary.
CIVICS Section 2: How Congress Is Organized Congressional Leaders Speaker of the House elected from the majority party Floor leaders elected in party caucuses to guide proposed laws through Congress Party whips persuade members to vote for legislation Vice president according to the Constitution presides over the Senate but only votes to break a tie President pro tempore fills in for the vice president when necessary Senate Majority Leader Holds the real power in the Senate
Section 2: How Congress Is Organized Congressional Committees Study all bills before they are presented to Congress Members are nominated to committee assignments. Senators serve on at least two standing committees. Representatives serve on only two standing committees. Heads of Committee are now chosen by secret vote.
SECTION 2 CIVICS Question: When does a session of Congress begin, and how long does it last? When Sessions Begin The first session begins January 3 in oddnumbered years following the congressional election in November. The second session begins January 3 of the following year. How Long They Last Sessions last as long as Congress wishes. Adjournment dates are selected by Congress.
Section 3: The Powers of Congress CIVICS The Main Idea The Constitution both defines and limits the powers of Congress. Reading Focus What types of powers are granted to Congress? What are some of the limits on the powers of Congress?
Section 3: The Powers of Congress CIVICS Five major areas in which Congress makes laws: Financing government Regulating and encouraging American trade and industry Defending the country Providing for growth
Section 3: The Powers of Congress CIVICS The Elastic Clause to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers allows Congress to stretch its delegated powers to manage new situations
Section 3: The Powers of Congress CIVICS The special powers of Congress: House begins impeachment proceedings, initiates bills to raise money, and selects president when no candidate receives sufficient electoral votes Senate holds impeachment trials, selects vice president when no candidate has sufficient electoral votes, approves treaties, approves high officials
Section 3: The Powers of Congress Congress is forbidden to: CIVICS Pass ex post facto laws, pass bills of attainder, suspend writ of habeas corpus, tax exports, pass laws violating the Bill of Rights, favor trade of any state, grant titles of nobility, or withdraw money without a law
SECTION 3 CIVICS Question: What are the five major areas in which Congress has the power to make laws? defending the country financing government Congressiona l Powers providing for growth enforcing laws regulating and encouraging U.S. trade and industry
Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law The Main Idea To become a law, a bill goes through a multistage process involving both houses of Congress. Reading Focus How does a bill begin? How do the House and the Senate consider a bill? In what ways can the president act on the bill?
Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law Ideas for bills originate from: U.S. citizens constituents making requests of their congress members Organized groups businesspeople and labor groups seeking to protect their interests Committees of Congress investigating committees determine needs for new laws Members of Congress experts in certain fields propose new laws The president often introduces ideas for laws in the State of the Union Address
Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law Bills introduced in either house of Congress Are read and placed in the Congressional Record. Are sent to a standing committee to be studied. Receive hearings by the committees and are amended. The committee majority can recommend that a bill be passed. Bills reported out of committee are placed on the calendar for debate. The bill is voted on and sent to the other house of Congress for consideration. Approved bills are sent to the president.
Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law Actions of the president regarding a bill: sign the bill and declare it a law veto the bill and send it back to Congress hold the bill for 10 days, when it becomes a law or is killed by pocket veto
Question: What actions can the president SECTION 4 take regarding a passed bill? SIGNS THE BILL and it becomes law The president ACTS on a Bill REFUSES TO SIGN and sends back to Congress with rejection reasons called a VETO. The president KEEPS the BILL for 10 DAYS without signing or vetoing it: If Congress is in session, the BILL BECOMES LAW, even without a signature. If Congress is not in session, the bill is killed by POCKET VETO.
Chapter 5 Wrap-Up CIVICS 1. Why did the framers of the Constitution create a bicameral national legislature? 2. What two methods does Congress have to deal with misconduct by its members? 3. Who leads the houses of Congress, and how are these leaders chosen? 4. Why is most of the work of Congress done through committees? 5. What special powers does each house of Congress have? 6. How do bills become laws? 7. What can the president do with a bill passed by Congress?