Unit ThreeUnit ThreePowers of CongressPowers of Congress

Chapter 8Chapter 8

Government has big ideas!Government has big ideas!

Question 1Question 1

Name the three Branches of Government, Name the three Branches of Government, it’s purpose, and the head or body of each.it’s purpose, and the head or body of each.

United States Government.United States Government.

Three branches of Government.Three branches of Government.The Legislative branch --- CongressThe Legislative branch --- Congress

The Executive branch --- PresidentThe Executive branch --- President

The Judicial branchThe Judicial branch --- Supreme Court --- Supreme Court

Who came up with the idea of having three branches of Government?

The Legislative branch The Legislative branch CongressCongress

Objectives of our study will include: Objectives of our study will include:

I. Introduction.I. Introduction.

II. Qualifications of its members.II. Qualifications of its members.

III. Terms, duties, and benefits.III. Terms, duties, and benefits.

Introduction:Introduction:

The Great Compromise established a The Great Compromise established a bicameralbicameral system of government.system of government.Gt. Compromise was agreed between large and Gt. Compromise was agreed between large and small States over the issue of fair representation small States over the issue of fair representation in gov’t.in gov’t.One house (part) based on equality. All States One house (part) based on equality. All States have same # of reps……..2have same # of reps……..2One house based on population size of the One house based on population size of the State.State.Members of Congress are called Congressmen Members of Congress are called Congressmen or Congresswomen.or Congresswomen.

Two Houses of Congress. Two Houses of Congress.

House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

- - based on population based on population sizesize

House of SenateHouse of Senate

- - based on each State based on each State have equal numbershave equal numbers

The House of Representatives.The House of Representatives.

Led by “The Speaker of The House” Led by “The Speaker of The House” 435 members435 members

All members All members mustmust

Be 25 years old or Be 25 years old or olderolder

Have to be a citizen Have to be a citizen of U.S.A. for 7 years.of U.S.A. for 7 years.

Live in the State that Live in the State that they will represent.they will represent.

MostMost members have members have

A good knowledge of A good knowledge of the law. Many the law. Many lawyers go to politics.lawyers go to politics.

A good business mind A good business mind and experiences.and experiences.

Served in some local, Served in some local, State, or other elected State, or other elected position before.position before.

Facts about RepresentativesFacts about Representatives

Two-year terms – no limit on the number of Two-year terms – no limit on the number of terms a person may serve.terms a person may serve.Each State is guaranteed at least one Each State is guaranteed at least one Representative. (DE has only 1)Representative. (DE has only 1)Population # is taken from the national census Population # is taken from the national census results every 10 years.results every 10 years.States that have multiple Reps will divide their States that have multiple Reps will divide their State into sections for each Rep to work with the State into sections for each Rep to work with the Constituents.Constituents.This has led to Gerrymandering, weird size and This has led to Gerrymandering, weird size and shaped areas that often have political party shaped areas that often have political party history with those people.history with those people.

House of Senate

100 members, 2 from each State.

Leader of Senate” is the Vice President

“President Pro Tempore” runs things day to day.

Vice President only observes, he only gets to vote in the case of a tie.

Often the V.P. does not attend unless needed.

This is no Bull.

House of SenateHouse of Senate

All members All members mustmust

Be 30 years old or Be 30 years old or olderolder

have to be a citizen of have to be a citizen of U.S.A. for 9 years.U.S.A. for 9 years.

Live in the State that Live in the State that they will represent.they will represent.

Most Most SenatorsSenators havehave

Prior government or Prior government or elected experience at elected experience at a lower level.a lower level.

The same types of The same types of background as background as Representatives.Representatives.

Facts about SenateFacts about Senate

FactsFacts– Six-year terms – elections are held biyearly to Six-year terms – elections are held biyearly to

reelect approx 1/3rd at a time.reelect approx 1/3rd at a time.– A level of experience and continuity is desired A level of experience and continuity is desired

with staggered elections.with staggered elections.– No limit on the number of terms a person may No limit on the number of terms a person may

serve.serve.

Congressional payCongressional pay

Representatives get paid Representatives get paid the same as Senators.the same as Senators.

Bonus points for the Bonus points for the person that finds out how person that finds out how much they get paid each much they get paid each year.year.

Write it on paper with the Write it on paper with the amount and your name.amount and your name.

Congress Pay ScaleCongress Pay ScaleHouse of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

Speaker of the HouseSpeaker of the House$186,300$186,300

Majority LeaderMajority Leader$161,200$161,200

Majority WhipMajority Whip$161,200$161,200

Minority LeaderMinority Leader$161,200$161,200

Minority WhipMinority Whip$161,200$161,200

SenateSenate

Leader Vice PresidentLeader Vice President$186,300$186,300

Pro TemporePro Tempore$186,300$186,300Majority LeaderMajority Leader

$161,200$161,200Majority WhipMajority Whip

$161,200$161,200Minority LeaderMinority Leader

$161,200$161,200Minority WhipMinority Whip

$161,200$161,200

Members of CongressMembers of Congress

$150,000 + 15% of base salary as extra duties$150,000 + 15% of base salary as extra duties

+ unlimited book revinues+ unlimited book revinues

Presidential PayPresidential Pay

President of USAPresident of USA

$ 400,000 + $50,000 expenses$ 400,000 + $50,000 expenses

retirement $151,800retirement $151,800

office fee $150,000office fee $150,000

former 1st lady $20,000 (not Hilary former 1st lady $20,000 (not Hilary Clinton while she is a US Senator)Clinton while she is a US Senator)

Benefits to Congress personnel.Benefits to Congress personnel.

There is no difference between Representatives There is no difference between Representatives or Senators on paper or benefits.or Senators on paper or benefits.Salary of $__________________Salary of $__________________Free office space, parking, travel to D.C. and Free office space, parking, travel to D.C. and home againhome againA budget to cover staff, secretaries, and other A budget to cover staff, secretaries, and other assistantsassistantsFranking privilege – use of U.S. postal ServiceFranking privilege – use of U.S. postal ServiceImmunity from arrest or lawsuits brought against Immunity from arrest or lawsuits brought against them as a result of their official work.them as a result of their official work.

Other detailsOther detailsExpulsion can happen if 2/3 of the House Expulsion can happen if 2/3 of the House vote you out for “Abuse of Privileges”vote you out for “Abuse of Privileges”Censure is the most common punishment, Censure is the most common punishment, basic telling off in front of all the other basic telling off in front of all the other members as a humiliation.members as a humiliation.Work is done in “Session”. These Work is done in “Session”. These traditionally run Jan-Nov, but often run all traditionally run Jan-Nov, but often run all year. Special sessions can be called by year. Special sessions can be called by certain people.certain people.Joint House meetings occur.Joint House meetings occur.Members work on numerous committees.Members work on numerous committees.

The End !The End !