Today's Question: What is the organizational structure and overall function of the United States House of Representatives?
Vocabulary:
bicameral legislature
bill
concurrent resolution
Congress
constituents
House of Representatives
franking privilege
impeachment
iron triangle
joint committee
joint resolution
override
private bill
public bill
resolution
revenue bill
Senate
simple resolution
Introduction:
As Article I of the Constitution prescribes, the legislative branch of the United States government is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The two houses of Congress have specific and defined roles and are integral to the lawmaking and oversight (checks and balances) process. Our focus for the next week is on the House of Representatives, its structure and membership, and its powers and roles.
(A word on the usage of "Congress." The term "congress" is one that has several meanings. Both the House and Senate comprise the two houses of Congress. Here, the word "congress" refers to the entire legislative branch of government. Oftentimes, however, many refer to the House of Representatives alone as Congress, referring to the Senate as itself. Thus, when you read about or hear someone refer to Congress, you must look or listen for context clues to determine if what is meant is the House of Representatives only or the both the House and Senate.)
For review, recall the specific powers granted to Congress by Article I, Section 8:
- To lay and collect taxes, duties, imports, and excises
- To borrow money
- To regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states
- To establish rules for naturalization and bankruptcy
- To coin money
- To fix the standard of weights and measures
- To establish a post office and post roads
- To issue patents and copyrights
- To create courts (other than the Supreme Court)
- To define and punish piracies
- To declare war
- To raise and support an army and navy
- To provide for a militia
- To exercise exclusive legislative powers over the District of Columbia and other federal facilities
Also remember the "elastic clause," allowing Congress to pass any law "necessary and proper" to execute the powers granted in the Constitution. Among other things, this clause has allowed afford Congress some evolutionary powers, specifically oversight of the federal budget and investigating wrong-doing within the government.
Activities:
Quick find: According to Article I of the Constitution, what are the special powers reserved for the House of Representatives? (Check sections 2 and 7.)
As an introduction to the House, watch the video below, starting with "Structure of the House of Representatives" followed by "Passage of a Bill." We will go through these modules together as a class (ending the second module once explanation of the House has completed), discussing some specifics and making connections to Article I of the Constitution.
Now, to get a taste of what a House proceeding and floor debate in the House often looks like, watch the first five or so minutes of this video from the House of Representatives on February 28, 2012. In this video the House will be debating on a House bill on academic freedom in higher education.
Assignment/Homework:
-Browse the House of Representatives Web site (below) to familiarize yourself with this governing body. Be sure to find out who your representative is and examine the congressional district (s)he represents.
-Read through the intro to the legislative process in the House of Representatives (below) to prepare for the simulation on Congress.
-Begin creating your flashcards for Unit 4.
Collaborative Self Guided Study Mod 2
Collaborative Self Guided Study Mod 5
Intro to the Legislative Process(PDF 178 KB)
NEED HELP DOWNLOADING:
/ pdf file: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 7 or higher) to view this file. Download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader for PC or Macintosh.Structure of the House of Representatives
First learning module on Congress and the House of Representatives.
Passage of a Bill
Second learning module on Congress and the House of Representatives.
United States House of Representatives
The official Web site of the U.S. House.