Congress – Day 1Ms. Farr

U.S. Government

Warm-up (yes, warm-up) – 2/23/11

1. What are three facts you learned about the Congress yesterday?

2. Besides qualifications and terms of office, what are two additional differences between the House and the Senate?

3. What is one way this bicameral system helps to establish a truly representative democracy?

Vocabulary you will need...

• Bicameral – two-house legislative body• Franking Privilege – allows members of

Congress to transmit mail under their signature without postage

• Seniority Rule – a system that gives the member of the majority party with the longest uninterrupted service on a particular committee the leadership of that committee

More vocabulary...

• Appropriation – approval of government spending

• Cloture Rule – a procedure that allows each senator to speak only 1 hour on a bill under debate

• Filibuster – a method of defeating a bill in which a senator talks until a majority either abandons the bill or agrees to modify it

More vocabulary...

• Gerrymandering – to draw a district's boundaries to gain an advantage in elections

House of Representatives – basic info• Term of office: 2 years• Must be at least 25 years old• Must be a U.S. citizen for 7 years• There are 435 members in the House• Smaller constituencies – districts they

represent are smaller than Senate• House seats are given on the basis of

population

House of Representatives – unique powers

• Chooses President if the electoral college does not produce a winner

• Originates appropriations• Brings charges of impeachment

House of Representatives – other info

• Gerrymandering would affect this house• Why?

• The Reapportionment Act of 1929• Established permanent method for

keeping a constant 435 seats

Senate – basic info

• Term of office: 6 years•1/3 of senators are up for reelection

every two years• Must be at least 30 years old• Must be a U.S. citizen for 9 years• There are 100 members in the Senate• Larger constituencies – only two

senators per state, regardless of population

Senate – unique powers

• Approves treaties• Uses seniority rule• Chooses the vice president if the

electoral college fails• Holds impeachment trials• Filibustering• Approves presidential appointments• Vice President is leader of Senate

Senate – unique powers

• Cloture rule is used in this house• Leadership determined by seniority

rule

Senate – other info

• 17th Amendment• Established direct election of U.S. Senators

by popular vote

Congress – combined responsibilities

• Overrides Presidential vetos• Franking Privilege – Allows members of

Congress to transmit mail under their signature without postage

• Proposes amendments to the U.S. Constitution

• Checks to see that the agencies in the executive branch are working effectively

Congress – combined responsibilities

• Determines Congressional salary• Makes laws• Serves on committees• Represent their constituencies