HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON1
CIVICS IN PRACTICEHOLT
Chapter 5
The Legislative BranchSection 1:
The Senate and the House of Representatives
Section 2: How Congress Is OrganizedSection 3: The Powers of CongressSection 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law
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The Main IdeaCongress 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
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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
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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 $174,000.
Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives
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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: The Senate and the House of Representatives
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SECTION 1
Legislative MisconductHOW DESCRIPTION
written reprimand
removing a member from Congress
Censure
Expulsion
Question: In what ways does Congress deal with misconduct by its members?
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The Main IdeaCongress 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
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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.
Section 2: How Congress Is Organized
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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
Section 2: How Congress Is Organized
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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. Standing committee membership is proportionate to
party majority in each house. Heads of Committee are now chosen by secret vote.
Section 2: How Congress Is Organized
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SECTION 2
When Sessions Begin How Long They Last
The first session begins January 3 in odd-numbered years following the congressional election in November. The second session begins January 3 of the following year.
Sessions last as long as Congress wishes.
Adjournment dates are selected by Congress.
Question: When does a session of Congress begin, and how long does it last?
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The Main IdeaThe 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
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Five major areas in which Congress makes laws: Financing government Regulating and encouraging American trade
and industry Defending the country Enforcing laws Providing for growth
Section 3: The Powers of Congress
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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
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Impeachment Power Impeach – accuse an officeholder of
misconduct Congress may remove official from office
with a 2/3 vote if found guilty of misconduct. Impeachment charges are brought up in the
House of Representatives. Trial is held in the Senate with the VP serving
as the judge unless the VP or President is on trial.
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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
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Congress is forbidden to: 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: The Powers of Congress
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Congressional Powers
regulating and encouraging U.S. trade and industry
enforcing lawsproviding for growth
defending the country
financing government
SECTION 3Question: What are the five major areas in which Congress has the power to make laws?
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The Main IdeaTo 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
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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
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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
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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
Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law
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SECTION 4Question: What actions can the president take regarding a passed bill?SIGNS THE BILL and it becomes law
REFUSES TO SIGN and sends back to Congress with rejection
reasons – called a VETO. If Congress is not in session, the bill is killed by POCKET
VETO.If Congress is in session, the
BILL BECOMES
LAW, even without a signature.
The president KEEPS the BILL for 10 DAYS without signing or vetoing it:
The president ACTS on a Bill
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Chapter 5 Wrap-Up
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?