CHAPTER 5ACHAPTER 5A“THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH”“THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH”

(SECTIONS 1 & 2)(SECTIONS 1 & 2)

SENATE AND HOUSE OF SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESREPRESENTATIVES 1. The government is divided into three 1. The government is divided into three

branches.branches.

a. Legislativea. Legislative

b. Executiveb. Executive

c. Judicialc. Judicial

2. Each branch has a different function.2. Each branch has a different function.

3. The members of each branch are chosen 3. The members of each branch are chosen

in different ways.in different ways.

4. Each branch has the same amount of 4. Each branch has the same amount of

power.power.

5. Congress is the legislative branch.5. Congress is the legislative branch.

a. Established by Article 1 of the a. Established by Article 1 of the

Constitution.Constitution.

6. Law MAKING branch of government.6. Law MAKING branch of government.

7. Congress is bicameral - made up of 7. Congress is bicameral - made up of

two houses.two houses.

8. Bicameral legislature8. Bicameral legislature

a. Provides a system of checks and a. Provides a system of checks and

balances. (Slows law making)balances. (Slows law making)

b. Compromise between large andb. Compromise between large and

small states.small states.

IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DISCUSS WHY IT WAS DISCUSS WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR SMALL AND IMPORTANT FOR SMALL AND LARGE STATES TO LARGE STATES TO COMPROMISE. WHAT WOULD COMPROMISE. WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENT?YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENT? LIST SOME ADVANTAGES LIST SOME ADVANTAGES

AND DISADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES HAVING A BICAMERAL HAVING A BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE.LEGISLATURE.

B. House of Representatives (435 members)B. House of Representatives (435 members)

1. Elections are held first Tuesday after 1. Elections are held first Tuesday after

the first Monday in November, even the first Monday in November, even

numbered years.numbered years.

2. Number of Representatives is based 2. Number of Representatives is based

on state population.on state population.

a. Based on census - official counting a. Based on census - official counting

of the people every 10 years.of the people every 10 years.

b. Each state must have at least one b. Each state must have at least one

representative. (Minnesota has 8)representative. (Minnesota has 8)

c. Congressional Districts - each c. Congressional Districts - each

Representative is elected by the people Representative is elected by the people

in a separate geographical location.in a separate geographical location.

d. Greenbush-Middle River is located in d. Greenbush-Middle River is located in

District 7. (Collin PetersonDistrict 7. (Collin Peterson

representative)representative)

e. Reapportionment - rearranging of e. Reapportionment - rearranging of

congressional districts to allow for congressional districts to allow for

changes in population.changes in population.

f. This can often lead to fighting f. This can often lead to fighting

between the two parties.between the two parties.

g. Gerrymandering - process of drawing g. Gerrymandering - process of drawing

district lines to favor a certain party.district lines to favor a certain party.

- Is legal but very hard to do.- Is legal but very hard to do.

C. Senate (100 members)C. Senate (100 members)

1. Each state chooses two Senators.1. Each state chooses two Senators.

a. Senators were chosen by the state a. Senators were chosen by the state

legislature until the 17th legislature until the 17th

amendment.amendment.

b. Hold office for six years.b. Hold office for six years.

c. Terms are staggered - terms of c. Terms are staggered - terms of

office do not begin at the same time.office do not begin at the same time.

d. Elections are held every two years. d. Elections are held every two years.

- Same date as the House.- Same date as the House.

-1/3 of the seats are up for reelection.-1/3 of the seats are up for reelection.

e. Are chosen by the whole state.e. Are chosen by the whole state.

f. Minnesota’s two Senators are Al f. Minnesota’s two Senators are Al

Franken and Amy Klobucher.Franken and Amy Klobucher.

2. Incumbents are hard to beat in any 2. Incumbents are hard to beat in any

election.election.

a. Incumbent - person who currently a. Incumbent - person who currently

holds office and is up for reelection.holds office and is up for reelection.

D. Qualifications of Members D. Qualifications of Members

1. Representatives - 25 years old, U.S. 1. Representatives - 25 years old, U.S.

citizen for 7 years, legal resident incitizen for 7 years, legal resident in

state he/she represents.state he/she represents.

2. Senators - 30 years old, U.S. citizen 2. Senators - 30 years old, U.S. citizen

for 9 years, legal resident in state for 9 years, legal resident in state

he/she represents.he/she represents.

E. Salary and BenefitsE. Salary and Benefits

1. Salary ($141,300/ year) for both 1. Salary ($141,300/ year) for both

House and Senate members.House and Senate members.

a. Can Congress set its own salary?a. Can Congress set its own salary?

- 27 amendment says that no - 27 amendment says that no

increase in congressional pay can increase in congressional pay can

take effect until after the next take effect until after the next

congressional election.congressional election.

2. Benefits - retirement plan, low-cost 2. Benefits - retirement plan, low-cost

insurance policies, free office space, insurance policies, free office space,

free use of postal service to send mail free use of postal service to send mail

to people they represent (franking to people they represent (franking

privilege), funds to travel home to privilege), funds to travel home to

meet with people they represent. meet with people they represent.

3. Members can not be arrested when 3. Members can not be arrested when

they are in Congress or are on their they are in Congress or are on their

way to or from a meeting.way to or from a meeting.

4. Can not be sued for anything they say4. Can not be sued for anything they say

while speaking in Congress.while speaking in Congress.

F. Rules of ConductF. Rules of Conduct

1. Code of Ethics - Set of guidelines for 1. Code of Ethics - Set of guidelines for

the behavior of members of the behavior of members of Congress.Congress.

2. 3 types of punishment for members of 2. 3 types of punishment for members of

Congress who are accused of breaking Congress who are accused of breaking

the Code of Ethics.the Code of Ethics.

a. Reprimand - scolding (mildest form)a. Reprimand - scolding (mildest form)

b. Censure - condemnation of the b. Censure - condemnation of the

member’s behavior. (Newt member’s behavior. (Newt

Gingrich)Gingrich)

c. Expel or remove from membership. c. Expel or remove from membership.

- Most extreme case - Most extreme case

- 2/3 vote needed- 2/3 vote needed

- Limited to serious crimes such as - Limited to serious crimes such as

treason and murder.treason and murder.

3. It is not easy for any group of people to 3. It is not easy for any group of people to

punish one of its own members.punish one of its own members.

a. Most wrongdoing takes place a. Most wrongdoing takes place

because of money.because of money.

4. List and Describe Abscam:4. List and Describe Abscam: a. Early 1980’s arrest of six a. Early 1980’s arrest of six representatives and 1 Senator. representatives and 1 Senator.

FBI agents pretended to be Arab FBI agents pretended to be Arab businessmen and offered bribes to businessmen and offered bribes to

certain members of Congress. certain members of Congress. b. Bribe - an illegal payment in b. Bribe - an illegal payment in

order to obtain a special favor.order to obtain a special favor.

IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DISCUSS 4 IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DISCUSS 4 WAYS IN WHICH CONGRESS HAS TRIED WAYS IN WHICH CONGRESS HAS TRIED TO LIMIT THE MONEY RECEIVED MY A TO LIMIT THE MONEY RECEIVED MY A MEMBER OF CONGRESS.MEMBER OF CONGRESS.LIST 4 WAYS IN WHICH YOU WOULD LIST 4 WAYS IN WHICH YOU WOULD HANDLE THE PROBLEMHANDLE THE PROBLEM(YOU HAVE 5 MIN.)(YOU HAVE 5 MIN.)

HOW CONGRESS IS HOW CONGRESS IS ORGANIZEDORGANIZED

1. Beginning with the first Congress in 1. Beginning with the first Congress in

1789, each Congress has been 1789, each Congress has been

identified by number.identified by number.

a. Congress that began in 2011 was a. Congress that began in 2011 was

called the 112th Congress.called the 112th Congress.

A. Terms and SessionsA. Terms and Sessions

1. Each term of Congress there are two 1. Each term of Congress there are two

regular terms or sessions.regular terms or sessions.

a. The first session begins on January a. The first session begins on January

3 in the odd-numbered year 3 in the odd-numbered year

following the congressional following the congressional

election.election.

b. The second session begins on b. The second session begins on

January 3 of that following year.January 3 of that following year.

c. Sessions usually last from January c. Sessions usually last from January

to September.to September.

- President can call a special session - President can call a special session

of Congress at any time.of Congress at any time.

- Joint session - House and Senate - Joint session - House and Senate

meet together.meet together.

B. OrganizationB. Organization

1. The Constitution provides for three 1. The Constitution provides for three

directing officers.directing officers.

a. Speaker of the House, President a. Speaker of the House, President

of Senate and President Pro of Senate and President Pro

Tempore.Tempore.

2. Shortly after a session begins 2. Shortly after a session begins

members of the two parties have members of the two parties have

private meetings.private meetings.

a. Caucuses - members of each party a. Caucuses - members of each party

choose their own leaders.choose their own leaders.

3. Majority Party - party with the most 3. Majority Party - party with the most

members in each house.members in each house.

4. Minority Party - party with fewer 4. Minority Party - party with fewer

members than the majority in each members than the majority in each house.house.

5. Majority Leader - Leader selected by the 5. Majority Leader - Leader selected by the

majority party in each house.majority party in each house.

6. Minority Leader - Leader selected by the 6. Minority Leader - Leader selected by the

minority party in each house.minority party in each house.

7. Whip - Assistant to the majority and 7. Whip - Assistant to the majority and

minority leader of each party.minority leader of each party.

a. Responsible for seeing that members a. Responsible for seeing that members

of his\her party are present when a of his\her party are present when a

vote takes place.vote takes place.

b. Persuades members to vote one way or b. Persuades members to vote one way or

another.another.

C. Leaders in the HouseC. Leaders in the House

1. Speaker of the House - Presiding 1. Speaker of the House - Presiding

officer of the House of officer of the House of

Representatives. ($171,500)Representatives. ($171,500)

a. He or she may vote on all matters. a. He or she may vote on all matters.

b. Is selected by majority party of b. Is selected by majority party of

House.House.

D. Leaders of the SenateD. Leaders of the Senate

1. Vice-President of the U.S. is also 1. Vice-President of the U.S. is also

president of the Senate.president of the Senate.

a. Vice President only votes in case a. Vice President only votes in case of of

a tie.a tie.

b. Vice President rarely attends b. Vice President rarely attends

Senate meetings.Senate meetings.

2. President Pro Tempore - Serves as 2. President Pro Tempore - Serves as

President of the Senate if the Vice President of the Senate if the Vice

President is absent or becomes President is absent or becomes

President of the U.S.President of the U.S.

a. Is selected by the majority party of a. Is selected by the majority party of

the Senate.the Senate.

E. The Double Personality of CongressE. The Double Personality of Congress

1. House has many more rules than the 1. House has many more rules than the

Senate.Senate.

2. Power in the House is more tightly 2. Power in the House is more tightly

concentrated in the hands of House concentrated in the hands of House

leaders.leaders.

3. Senators are much more nearly equal 3. Senators are much more nearly equal

in power.in power.

4. Senators are much more independent.4. Senators are much more independent.

a. Amount of debate time spent in the a. Amount of debate time spent in the

House is more closely monitored.House is more closely monitored.

b. In the House discussion of a b. In the House discussion of a

proposal for a law must come to an proposal for a law must come to an

end if a majority votes to end it.end if a majority votes to end it.

c. In the Senate 2/3 vote is needed in c. In the Senate 2/3 vote is needed in

order to stop discussion.order to stop discussion.

d. A minority of the Senate can stop a d. A minority of the Senate can stop a

bill from going to vote by “talking bill from going to vote by “talking it it

to death”. (filibuster)to death”. (filibuster)

5. Reporters pay more attention to 5. Reporters pay more attention to

senators. (They are more powerful)senators. (They are more powerful)

a. Why??a. Why??

6. Senators are more likely to run for 6. Senators are more likely to run for

President.President.

ASSIGNMENT:ASSIGNMENT:FIND THE FOLLOWING:FIND THE FOLLOWING:

1. Majority and minority parties.1. Majority and minority parties.

2. Majority and minority leaders in both 2. Majority and minority leaders in both

House and Senate.House and Senate.

3. Majority and minority whip leaders in 3. Majority and minority whip leaders in

both the House and Senate.both the House and Senate.

4. Speaker of the House4. Speaker of the House

5. President of the Senate5. President of the Senate

6. President Pro Tempore of the Senate.6. President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

7. Longest standing member in the House 7. Longest standing member in the House

or Senate.or Senate.

F. CommitteesF. Committees

1. Most Congressional work is done in 1. Most Congressional work is done in

committees.committees.

a. Committees - groups of senators and a. Committees - groups of senators and

representatives who study bills.representatives who study bills.

-bill - proposed law -bill - proposed law

b. Standing committees - permanent b. Standing committees - permanent

committees in each house. (pg. 78)committees in each house. (pg. 78)

c. Standing committees are often c. Standing committees are often

divided into subcommittees.divided into subcommittees.

d. Subcommittees - study particular details d. Subcommittees - study particular details

and problems associated with the various and problems associated with the various

standing committeesstanding committees

e. Joint committees - committees that e. Joint committees - committees that

include members from both houses of include members from both houses of

Congress.Congress.

f. Select Committees - temporary f. Select Committees - temporary

committees set up for special purposes.committees set up for special purposes.

g. Conference committees - formed from g. Conference committees - formed from

members of both houses in order to iron members of both houses in order to iron

out disagreements.out disagreements.

(Disagreements arise when different (Disagreements arise when different

versions of the same bill are passed)versions of the same bill are passed)

2. Since 1960 the power of standing 2. Since 1960 the power of standing

committee chairpersons has been committee chairpersons has been

greatly reduced by a number of events.greatly reduced by a number of events.

a. Johnson Rule - President Lyndon a. Johnson Rule - President Lyndon

Johnson ruled that no one could hold Johnson ruled that no one could hold

more than one chair of an important more than one chair of an important

committee.committee.

b. Weakening of the Seniority Rule - b. Weakening of the Seniority Rule -

chair of each standing committee no chair of each standing committee no

longer goes to the most experienced.longer goes to the most experienced.

c. Increasing number of subcommittees - c. Increasing number of subcommittees -

Chair people of committees have no Chair people of committees have no

power on their own.power on their own.

d. The rise of party caucuses - Congress d. The rise of party caucuses - Congress

people who form their own informal people who form their own informal

groups to try to persuade members of groups to try to persuade members of

Congress to vote one way or another.Congress to vote one way or another.

G. Committee MembershipG. Committee Membership

1. Each member of the House usually 1. Each member of the House usually

serves on only one of the major serves on only one of the major

standing committees.standing committees.

a. Ways and Means is the most a. Ways and Means is the most

prestigious.prestigious.

2. Each Senator stands on at least two 2. Each Senator stands on at least two

standing committees.standing committees.

a. Appropriations is most prestigious.a. Appropriations is most prestigious.

3. Membership of the standing committees 3. Membership of the standing committees

is divided in proportion to the number is divided in proportion to the number

of members each party has in eachof members each party has in each

house.house.

a. Ex. 100 members in the Senatea. Ex. 100 members in the Senate

60 Republican60 Republican

40 Democrat40 Democrat

10 member committee would 10 member committee would

have 6 republican and 4 have 6 republican and 4

democrats.democrats.

H. Committee ChairpersonsH. Committee Chairpersons

1. Are very powerful1. Are very powerful

2. Since seniority system was done away 2. Since seniority system was done away

with, majority party chooses by secret with, majority party chooses by secret

ballot.ballot.

a. Longest service people are almost a. Longest service people are almost

always chosen.always chosen.

I. Congressional StaffI. Congressional Staff

1. Are very important because they do1. Are very important because they do

most of the “grunt” work.most of the “grunt” work.

POSSIBLE ASSIGNMENTSPOSSIBLE ASSIGNMENTS1. Case Study (pg. 25-27)1. Case Study (pg. 25-27)

2. Find the various officers of government.2. Find the various officers of government.

3. Section Review (pg. 75-79)3. Section Review (pg. 75-79)

4. Building Your Portfolio (pg. 91)4. Building Your Portfolio (pg. 91)

5. Citizenship in Your Community (pg. 91)5. Citizenship in Your Community (pg. 91)

6. Have Students Write a Code of Conduct 6. Have Students Write a Code of Conduct

for the School. (pg. 73 TA)for the School. (pg. 73 TA)

7. Reteaching (pg. 9-10) 7. Reteaching (pg. 9-10)

8. American Gov. wks pg 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 8. American Gov. wks pg 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,

48, 48,

9. Chapter 14 wks.9. Chapter 14 wks.

EXTRA CREDIT (5 pts.)EXTRA CREDIT (5 pts.)

1. Voc. Workshop, Reviewing Main Ideas, 1. Voc. Workshop, Reviewing Main Ideas,

Thinking Critically.Thinking Critically.