United States Government

Unit #4: The LegislatureLIVES JuniorsSpring 2015

Unit #4: Lesson #1• The legislative branch of the federal government is called the

• It is broken up into two parts:• 1.• 2.

Unit #4: Lesson #1• Why did writers of the constitution make two parts?

Unit #4: Lesson #1• The SENATE ensures that every state is represented equally in

the congress.

• Each state, no matter how large or small elects two senators to serve in the Senate.

• Today, senators serve in the Senate.

Unit #4: Lesson #1• The leader of the Senate is the vice president of the US.• His/Her duties are• To call on members to speak• To introduce questions for a vote

• He CANNOT debate questions and CANNOT VOTE (usually).• The only time the VP will vote is to break a tie

Unit #4: Lesson #1• The VP is not always present for all debates.• When this occurs, the president pro tempore become the

head of the Senate. • This person is elected by the Senate to preform VP’s duties• This person is usually a member of the majority party and has

served in the Senate the longest

Unit #4: Lesson #1• Senators serve a six-year term

• Only 1/3 of the Senate membership is elected at a time

• Qualifications to be a senator include:• Must be at least 30 years old• Must be a citizen for at least nine years• Must be a resident of the state he or she represents

Unit #4: Lesson #1• The House of Representatives reflects the size of states’

populations.• States with more people living in them send more representatives

to Congress

• Each state is divided up into districts and each district will elect its own representative.

• The House of Reps. has 435 elected officials

Unit #4: Lesson #1• The Speaker of the House is the leader of the House of Reps. • Elected by majority party members of the House of Reps.• Runs the House’s business• Leads sessions• Decides who may speak• Calls for votes• Sees that rules are followed• Serves for two years

** The Speaker of the House can become president if the president or VP cannot serve

Unit #4: Lesson #1• The Speaker of the House also places members of the House

on committees.• This powers means that the Speaker can influence which laws the

House passes

Unit #4: Lesson #1• Qualifications to be a representative

• Must be 25 years or older• Must be citizen of US for at least 7 years• Must be resident of state he or she represents• Must live in district he or she represents

• Serves for two years• All members of the House are elected in November of each

even-numbered year

Unit #4: Lesson #3• Sessions of the Senate and the House of Reps begin in early

January in Washington, D.C.• Each term of Congress has two sessions:

• 1. January of odd-numbered years• 2. January of even numbered years

• Sessions last until work is done. Near the end of session, senators and reps vote on a day to adjourn.

Unit #4: Lesson #3• What happens if serious issue arises after Congress adjourns?

Unit #4: Lesson #3• Duties of Congress include:• MAKE LAWS!• Collect taxes• Maintain armed forces• Regulate trade• Punish certain crimes• Suggest amendments• Check on other two branches

Unit #4: Lesson #3• The House of Reps has the power to impeach.• Accuse a public official with crime or misconduct.

• The Senate will then conduct a trial and convict or acquit the official.

Unit #4: Lesson #3• The Senate and the House of reps must have good leaders to

do their work well.

• Floor leaders are chosen during the early part of the session.• They tell other senators and reps about new bills that will be

voted on, encourage members to take part in voting, and work closely with the Speaker of the House and the leader of the Senate to manage debate and committees.

Unit #4: Lesson #3• Each house of Congress has a number of Congressional

committees. • Some are permanent and some are temporary.• There five types of Congressional committees.

Unit #4: Lesson #3• Standing Committees

• Subcommittees

Unit #4: Lesson #3• Joint Committees

• Select Committees

Unit #4: Lesson #3• Conference Committees

• Who serves on Congressional Committees?

Unit #4: Lesson #3• A bill is an idea for a new law or change in an old law.

• It can come from various places:• Citizens who write to their senators or representatives• Various groups such as veterans or parents or business people• The president• Senators and/or representatives

Unit #4- Lesson #4• Pocket veto- an indirect veto of a bill by the president not

acting on it.

Unit #4- Lesson #5• Powers of Congress-• Raise and collect taxes to pay for the salaries of government

employees and to maintain government functions.• Pass laws and watch over trade and business activities. • Runs the system of national highways.• Defends the nation against enemies and can declare war.

Establishes the army, navy, and other military services. • Decides citizenship requirements• Admits new states to the US• Set standards of weights and measures (controls quality, size,

how something is done).

Unit #4- Lesson #5• Limits of Congress-

Unit #4- Lesson #5• The writers of the Constitution knew that problems would

come up that were not written in the Constitution.

• Article I, Section 8 The Elastic Clause• Tells Congress that it can make all laws necessary to carry out its

duties. • This means Congress can make changes and be flexible when

making decisions.