Legislative Branch
Qualifications
House of RepresentativesSenate
- 25 years old- 30 years old
- US citizen for 7 years- US citizen for 9 years
- Live in represented state (district)- Live in represented state
Terms and Membership
House of RepresentativesSenate
- Two year terms- Six year terms
- State can set term limits- State can set term limits
- 435 total representatives- 100 total senators
Special Powers
House of RepresentativesSenate
- Introduces appropriations bills- Ratify treaties
- Elects President if no majority- Elects VP if no majority
- Impeaches officials- Impeachment trials
- Approves appointments
Benefits of Congress
-Salary: Approximately $150,000 a year.
-Trips to home state are paid for.
-Given discounts on many services.
-Franking Privilege: Send job related mail without postage.
-Given immunity for minor crimes.
Punishments
-Expulsion: Forced to leave. 2/3 vote by either house.
-Censure: Wrongdoings are made public. (Very embarrassing).
Congressional districts
-If a state has more than one representative, district lines are drawn.
-Gerrymandering: Drawing of odd shaped districts for political reasons.
-All districts must have the same number of constituents (voters).
Sessions
-Regular: Two regular sessions, one for each year beginning on Jan. 3.
-Special: Called by the President. Used normally in times of crisis.
-Joint: House and Senate meet together. (State of the Union).
Congressional leaders
-The party with the most members is the majority party. The party with the least members is the minority party.
-Floor leaders: Make sure that upcoming bills are in the best interest of the party. (Majority and minority).
-Party whip: Keeps track of voting intentions. Works with floor leader to ensure members vote on party lines. (Majority and minority).
-Speaker of the House: Leader of the House of Representatives.
-According to the constitution, the vice-president is the leader of the Senate.
-President pro tempore: Day to day leader of the Senate.
Congressional committees
-Discuss, research, and revise bills. “Congress at work”.
-Standing: Permanent committees specializing in a certain area. Divided into subcommittees.
-Select: Temporary committees formed to complete a task.
-Joint: Members of both houses meet together.
-Conference: Both houses meet together to discuss different versions of a bill.
Committee Membership
-Majority party has the majority on all committees. Party leadership determines membership.
-Seniority system: Desirable positions are given to those members who have served the longest.
Expressed or implied
-Expressed powers are those listed in Article I of the Constitution.
-Implied powers come from the necessary and proper clause (elastic clause) allowing Congress to stretch its power.
Non-legislative power
-Powers that make the government run more effectively.
-Congress has the power to propose amendments, investigate legislation, investigate crimes committed by others, and impeachment.
Limits on Power
-Congress can not favor a state, tax trade between states, or tax exports.
-Can not pass laws that interfere with the legal rights of individuals.
-Can not interfere with powers reserved to the states.
-Checks and balances interfere with Congressional power.
-Economics will not allow congress to pass every law.
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Introduction
-In the House of Reps., a bill is dropped into the “hopper” box and assigned to a committee.
-In the Senate, a senator submits a bill to the clerk for a reading and committee assignment.
Committee Action
-They can reject the bill immediately.
-They can pigeonhole a bill. (Set it aside).
-They can research and approve the bill.
-They can change any and all aspects of a bill.
Floor debates
-Representatives in the house have a time limitation.
-Senators can filibuster a bill. (Talk it to death).
-Cloture: Limit the time senators may talk. Requires a 3/5 vote.
Voting
-Roll call: Opinion given after name is called.
-Voice vote: Used on procedural issues.
-Standing vote: Person stands until counted.
Presidential action
-Sign a bill into law.
-Veto a bill (reject).
-Pocket veto: Take no action for ten days. If congress is in session after ten days, the bill becomes a law. If Congress is not in session after ten days, the bill is rejected.