Legislative Branch
Warm-Up: can you answer these questions? ( L) What is the purpose of the legislative branch? Which party has the majority in the House? In the Senate? What are the names of the two Senators from NC? What party do they represent? Who is Speaker of the House? How many members are there in the House and the Senate?
Congressional Terms Each new term starts January 3 of odd numbered years and lasts for 2 years Each term is divided into 2 sessions Runs January through November/December Special Sessions meet in times of emergency Joint Sessions when the House of Representatives and the Senate meet together
Members of Congress Senators: 1. 6 year terms (elections staggered) 2. Vice President President pro tempore 3. 100 members 2 from each state 4. Must be 30 years old, live in state, US citizen 9 years House of Representatives 1. 2 year terms 2. Speaker of the House 3. 435 members 1 per district 4. 25 years old, live in state, US citizen 7 years
What did you learn yesterday?? 1. What are the two main categories of Congressional Powers? 2. What is the constitutional basis for Congress implied powers? (What requirement do they have to meet?)
Structure of Congress House of Representatives was designed to reflect the will of the average citizen Senate was to provide for stability, continuity, and in-depth deliberation
Congressional Districts Congress gave state legislatures control over drawing congressional districts Each district must be equal in population Each state receives at least one Representative Redistricting occurs after the census to accommodate population shifts Gerrymandering drawing district lines to favor a particular party (clip) Clip http://elections.nytimes.com/2014/northcarolina-elections
Congressional Leaders Majority Party political party with more than half the members (minority party is the other party) Each House chooses their leaders Speaker of the House most powerful leader in the House of Representatives Steers legislation, in charge of floor debates, influences House business President Pro Tempore person acting as chairperson of the Senate, very ceremonial Vice President is technically the president of the Senate but usually only votes in case of a tie
Congressional Leaders Found in House and Senate Floor Leaders try to ensure that laws passed are supported by their political party Party Whips help floor leaders by keeping track of legislators stances on bills and round up congressmen for votes
Distinct Responsibilities House of Representatives: All revenue bills must originate in the House appropriation bills Brings the charges of impeachment Senate: Confirms presidential nominations 2/3 vote to ratify treaties Holds the impeachment trial
The Gerry-Mander March 26, 1812 What do you see? What key activity does this illustration depict? How do you think the artist feels about Gerrymandering?
Committees in Congress House and Senate have committees The majority of work done in Congress occurs in committee. Different types of committees Standing committee (always there) Senate 16; House 20 Select committee (created to do a special job for a limited time) Joint committee (members from House and Senate) Conference committee (temporary committee that helps the House and Senate agree on details of proposed laws)
Work is done in committee! Facts of Congress: Committees
Committee Assignments Party leaders make assignments Membership on committee is proportional to the party s representation in the House or Senate Consider preference, expertise, loyalty to party and seniority Longest serving committee member becomes chairperson Chair people of standing committees are the most powerful people in Congress
http://appropriations.house.gov/ http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/ http://www.house.gov/jct/
Powers of Congress See handout on 30R. (Classwork from 11/6). Make sure that you know this! Read p.143-146 and answer question 3 in your notes.
Powers of Congress Article I outlined powers and responsibilities of Congress (Expressed): Legislative Powers Nonlegislative Powers: Power to approve or reject Presidential appointments Power to remove officials impeach Oversight and investigation
Powers of Congress Necessary and Proper Clause: Congress has the right to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the powers set out Called the Elastic Clause Gives Congress implied powers
Congressional Powers Expressed or Implied? Congress declared war on Japan on December 7, 1941. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 authorized construction of the nation s interstate freeway system. To honor a leader of the women s rights movement, Congress approved the Susan B. Anthony dollar in 1978. The 1964 Civil Rights Act outlawed discrimination in hotels, restaurants, and other public places.
Legislative SCOTUS cases...