Unit 4: The Legislative Branch

Unit 4:The Legislative Branch

Introduction to CongressLegal Basis of CongressFound in Article I of ConstitutionA Bicameral CongressDefinition: a legislative body made up of two housesReasons:Historical: British Parliament consisted of two housesPractical: Settled conflict over NJ and VA PlansTheoretical: Created additional checks and balances

Art. I, Sect. 2 House of RepresentativesTotal Number: 435Term Length: 2 yearsQualifications:25 years oldAmerican citizen for 7 yearsResident of that stateApportionment: number of Reps based on populationSalary: $174,000, $223,500 (Speaker)Speaker of House presidesHas sole power to Impeach accuse or bring accusations

Art. I, Sect. 3 The SenateTotal Number: 100Term Length: 6 yearsQualifications:30 years oldAmerican citizen for 9 yearsResident of that stateApportionment: 2 senators per stateSalary: $174,000, $193,400 (party leaders)Vice President presides over Senate, can cast only a deciding vote to break tiePresident pro tempore presides when VP is absentHas sole power to try Impeachments

A TERM of CongressDefinition: a time in which all the members of Congress are the same (no elections during this time)Each lasts for two years and is consecutively numberedA new term begins on Jan. 3rd of an odd yearWe are currently in the 112th Term which began Jan. 3, 2011 and will end on Jan. 3, 2013

http://www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/termsofcongress.html A SESSION of CongressDefinition: a period of time in which Congress assembles and does workOther info:Two sessions for each term of Congress (1 year each)Congress adjourns or suspends each session as they see fitCurrently, they work for most of the year but will recess for several short periodsSpecial SessionsA meeting to deal with an emergency situationThere have been only 26 called in historyMost recent: Harry Truman, in 1948, to consider anti-inflation and welfare measures post-WWIITermSessionSession

Key Terms House of RepsApportioned: seats are distributed in the House based on a states populationHigher population More districtsAs of 2008: about 700,000 people per districtReapportioned: seats are redistributed following a census every 10 yearsOff-year Elections: elections held between Presidential elections (mid-term)

GerrymanderingDefinition: redrawing districts to benefit one political party over the other, usually done by the party in power

Key Terms SenateContinuous Body: Senate terms are staggered, meaning only a third (33 or 34) of the senators are up for re-election every 2 yearsConstituency: the people (constituents) and the interests the elected official representsSince Senators represent a larger constituency, they are regarded as national political leadersRepresentative = one districtSenator = entire stateThe Members of CongressAverage Member: white male in early 50sMore women than everVariety of minorities representedMost members are married with childrenHave some type of religious affiliationsMost members have considerable political experienceDo you think this changes the way Congress functions?Racial Composition of the 112th Congress (including Delegates in the House)U.S. House U.S. Senate White36196Black440Hispanic252Asian72American Indian10Gender Composition of the 112th CongressU.S. HouseU.S. SenateMen36283Women7617House of RepsSenate112th CongressThe Members of CongressJobs:Legislators: write laws/bills, voteRepresentatives of ConstituentsTrustee A lawmaker who votes based on their own conscience and judgment, not the views of their constituentsDelegate Lawmaker who votes based on how their constituents tell them to votePartisan Lawmaker who owes their allegiance to their political party and votes according to party linesPolitico Lawmaker who attempts to balance the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan rolesHow Congress Organizes

Opening Day

Each new Term begins on January 3rd of an odd year.The House chooses the Speaker, members are sworn in, and they adopt new rules and appoint members to committees.The Senate (a continuous body) swears in new and re-elected members, vacancies in Senate organizations and committees are filled.

When both are organized, they let the President know they are ready and wait for him/her to deliver the State of the Union MessageHe shall from time to time give to the Congress information on the State of the Union-Article II, Section 3

II. Presiding Officers HouseCurrent Leadership in the 112th CongressHouse of RepresentativesSpeaker of the HouseJohn A. Boehner (R-OH)Majority LeaderEric Cantor (R-VA)Majority WhipKevin McCarthy (R-CA)Minority LeaderNancy Pelosi (D-CA)Minority WhipSteny Hoyer (D-MD)

II. Presiding Officers SenateCurrent Leadership in the 112th CongressSenatePresident Pro TemporeDaniel Inouye (D-HI)Majority LeaderHarry Reid (D-NV)Majority WhipRichard Durbin (D-IL)House Minority LeaderMitch McConnell (R-KY)Minority WhipJon Kyl (R-AZ)