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• Article I of the Constitution • Created the Legislative Branch (Congress)

• Main Job: make laws• Two houses

• Senate (Upper House)• House of Representatives (Lower House)

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• The House of Representatives • 435 members• Represents the interests of the people• Based on a state’s population • 1 rep for every 600,000 people• Term: 2 years• Important functions:

• Power to elect the president (in case of a tie)• Power to impeach (remove from office) the president • Power to introduce legislation concerning money

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• The Senate• 100 members

• 2 from each state, regardless of population • Represents the interests of the states• Term: 6 years• important functions:

• Ratify treaties• Approve presidential appointments

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• Qualifications• House of Rep

• At least 25-years-old• U.S. citizen for at least 7 years• Resident of the state they represent

• Senate• At least 30-years-old• U.S. citizen for at least 9 years• Resident of the state they represent

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• How Does Congress Check The Other Branches?• Executive

• Can over-ride a presidential veto• Can impeach the president• Controls the country’s money

• Judicial• Senate confirms judicial appointments • Can impeach judges

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• Congressional Pay• 1789: $6.00/yr• Today: $174,000/yr

• Where Congress Comes from (on average)• Former lawyers or business owners: ~50%

• Gender• Men: ~80%

• Race• White: ~80%

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• Leadership in The House of Rep.• The Speaker of the House

• A member of the “majority party” (the party with the most members in the House)• Floor Leader

• Helps guide his party’s “bills” (proposed laws) through Congress• Party Whip

• Tries to persuade members to vote for party-sponsored legislation

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• Leadership in The Senate• President of the Senate: The Vice President of the U.S.• President Pro Tempore: leader when the VP is absent (which is often)

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• Delegated Powers: powers given to Congress in the Constitution • Implied Powers: powers Congress gives itself to meet the needs of today

• Also known as “The Elastic Clause”

C3.1(1) SUMMARY QUESTIONS

1. Why Do You Think it is Important to Have a House of Representatives?2. Explain Why You Agree or Disagree With the Qualifications to be a

Representative or Senator? Would You Change Anything?3. Review the Gender Makeup of Congress. What is Your Opinion on Those

Numbers?4. In Your Opinion, Why Do You Think Almost 50% of Congress is Made Up

of Former Lawyers and Business Owners? 5. Do You Think Delegated Powers Or Implied Powers Could be Abused by

Congress More Frequently? Why?