THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Lesson 7

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The foundation of the Legislative Branch is found in Article I of the U.S. Constitution.

Its main duty is to make the laws of the United States.

The Legislative Branch is often referred to as "Congress". Congress is divided into two parts.

HOW CONGRESS IS DIVIDED?

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE SENATE

The United States Congress has a Bi-Cameral LegislatureWhat does that mean?It means Congress is made up of TWO houses:

• Congress meets in congressional meetings called sessions- they last 1 year with breaks for the holidays, each term of congress is two sessions.

• Congress’ main job is to MAKE LAWS.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House's role is to represent the entire population of the United States. As a result, it has hundreds more representatives than the Senate.

The House is meant to change as the population changes, so it's representatives have shorter terms than Senators.

The House is also meant to provide more representation for states with larger populations.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (CONT.)

• Has 435 members or representatives.

• It is the larger body of Congress.

• It is based on each state’s population.

• Each state has at least one representative that represents the constituents, or the people who elected them, from that states.

• Representatives must be at least 25 years old.

• Be a citizen of the US for at least 7 years.

• Be legal residents of the state that elects them and also live in the district they represent.

• They are elected every two years.

• The census counts population which in turn causes reapportionment of representatives to the states.

• Congressional districts are determined by the states. Districts elect their representatives.

• Gerrymandering was a way that state’s abused redistricting power by manipulating geographic boundaries to create party dominated districts.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (CONT.)

• The Speaker of the House- the presiding leader of the house and its most powerful member (John Boehner).

• Is selected by caucus- or closed meeting.

• The speaker's top assistant is the majority leader.

• Party whips serve as assistant floor leaders in the House.•Redistricting is the process of setting up new district lines.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (CONT.)

THE SENATE

The Senate is meant to be the more stable body of representation compared to the House. It is also meant to make sure each state has equal representation, unlike the House.

Senators must be:•At least 30 years old.•A citizen of the U.S. for a minimum of 9 years.•A legal resident of the state they represent.

•Voted on by his/her entire state.•Elected to 6 year terms- one third of the senate is up for re-election every 2 years.

The Senate is less formal than the House.Each state has only two Senators.

THE SENATE

• The President of the senate is the Vice President (Joe Biden) but does not vote on laws.

•The majority and minority leaders are the most important officers in the Senate, they control the flow of bills and make sure that members are present for key votes. They are elected by the members of their political parties.

•Senators are given unlimited speaking time - filibuster. •Cloture - limits speaking time to an hour- but is rare and requires a vote.

ENUMERATED LEGISLATIVE POWERS

Are the powers of Congress clearly written in Article I of the U.S. Constitution?

Some examples:• Make Laws• Declare War • To Tax

CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES

• Before a law is a law it is called a bill.

• Most work on bills are done in committee- smaller groups who work together.

• The purpose of committees are to effectively consider the thousands of bills proposed each session. Committees are the key power centers of Congress.

• The rules committee- serves as the “traffic officer” in the house, directs the flow of legislation.

COMMITTEES (CONT.)

• Standing Committee- Permanent committees that oversee bills of a certain issue.

• Sub-committee- specializes in a sub-category of the standing committee, ex- Human Resources.

• Select committee- temporary committees.• Joint Committee- made up of members of both

the House and the Senate.• Conference Committee- set up when both the

House and Senate have passed different versions of the same bill.

• Chairpersons are traditionally selected by the seniority system.

HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW

YOUR FEDERAL CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Barbara Boxer, Senator, Californiahttp://boxer.senate.gov/

Dianne Feinstein- Senator, Californiahttp://feinstein.senate.gov/public/

Look up your House Representativehttp://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

AMENDING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

Two ways to amend the constitution:

1)Both the House and Senate pass a bill with 2/3rds majority. Then the states vote on it.

2) Hold a constitutional convention, which has never happened.