Chapter 5 The Legislative Branch

1. Section 1:The Senate and the House of Representatives Section 2: How Congress Is Organized Section 3: The Powers of Congress Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law Chapter 5The Legislative Branch https://youtu.be/tEPd98CbbMk

2. Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives The Main Idea Congress is divided into two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives, and its members have certain qualifications. Reading Focus • What are the two houses of Congress? • What are the qualifications, salaries, and rules of conduct for members of Congress?

3. CONGRESS= HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES + SENATE • Great Compromise= Agreement between the large and small states during the Constitutional Convention that created 2 houses of Congress • one house based on a state’s population (Large States) • the other house has equal representation for each state (Small States)

4. Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives Members and terms lengths in the House and the Senate: • House of Representatives=435 members, representatives based on state population, two-year terms. • Senate=100 members, two per state, six-year terms.

5. Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives Qualifications and salaries in the House and Senate: • Representatives: 25 years old+, U.S. citizen for 7 years+, and a legal resident of the state they represent • Senators: 30 years old+, U.S. citizen for 9 years+, and a legal resident of the state they represent • The average yearly salary is $145,100.

6. Section 1: The Senate and the House of Representatives Misconduct by members of Congress: • Censure= a written reprimand / severe warning • Expulsion= removal from Congress, with a vote of 2/3rds of other members

7. SECTION1 Legislative Misconduct Question: In what ways does Congress deal with misconduct by its members? HOW DESCRIPTION written reprimand Censure removing a member from Congress Expulsion

8. Section 2: How Congress Is Organized The Main Idea Congress is organized in a way that allows its members to consider and pass legislation without each member having to do everything. Reading Focus • What are the terms and sessions of Congress? • How is Congress organized?

9. Section 2: How Congress Is Organized Congressional Sessions • 2 sessions = 1 term • Sessions begin in January each year, and a date to adjourn/end is agreed upon. • Sessions usually adjourn in August or September. • The president may call a special session when necessary.

10. Section 2: How Congress Is Organized Congressional Leaders • Speaker of the House—elected from the majority party in the H.O.R. • Floor leaders— elected in party caucuses to guide proposed laws through Congress • Party whips—persuade members to vote certain ways for the benefit of the political party • Vice President—leader of the Senate but ONLY votes to break a tie • President pro tempore—fills in for the vice president when necessary in the Senate

11. Section 2: How Congress Is Organized Congressional Committees • Study all bills before they are presented to Congress • Members are nominated to committee assignments. • Senators serve on AT LEAST 2 STANDING COMMITTEES. • Representatives serve on ONLY 2 STANDING COMMITTEES. • Standing committee membership is proportionate to party majority in each house.

12. When Sessions Begin How Long They Last SECTION 2 Question: When does a session of Congress begin, and how long does it last? The first session begins January 3 in odd-numbered years following the congressional election in November. The second session begins January 3 of the following year. Sessions last as long as Congress wishes. Adjournment dates are selected by Congress.

13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMgYkoavx9c Section 3: The Powers of Congress The Main Idea The Constitution both defines and limits the powers of Congress. Reading Focus • What types of powers are granted to Congress? • What are some of the limits on the powers of Congress?

14. Section 3: The Powers of Congress Five major areas in which Congress makes laws: • Financing government • Regulating and encouraging American trade and industry • Defending the country • Enforcing laws • Providing for growth

15. Section 3: The Powers of Congress The Elastic Clause • “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers” • allows Congress to stretch its delegated powers to manage new situations • “Catch All” Clause

16. Section 3: The Powers of Congress The special powers of Congress: • House— • begins impeachment proceedings • initiates bills to raise money • selects president when no candidate receives sufficient electoral votes • Senate— • holds impeachment trials • selects vice president when no candidate has sufficient electoral votes • approves treaties • approves high officials

17. Section 3: The Powers of Congress Congress is FORBIDDEN to: • Pass ex post facto laws (laws to punish past actions) • Pass bills of attainder (Finding someone guilty without a trial) • Suspend writ of habeas corpus (throwing people in jail without a charge) • Tax exports • Pass laws violating the Bill of Rights • Favor trade of any state • Grant titles of nobility • Withdraw money without a law

18. financing government defending the country Congressional Powers providing for growth enforcing laws regulating and encouraging U.S. trade and industry SECTION 3 Question: What are the five major areas in which Congress has the power to make laws?

19. https://youtu.be/tyeJ55o3El0 Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law The Main Idea To become a law, a bill goes through a multistage process involving both houses of Congress. Reading Focus • How does a bill begin? • How do the House and the Senate consider a bill? • In what ways can the president act on the bill?

20. Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law Ideas for bills originate from: • U.S. citizens—constituents making requests of their congress members • Organized groups—businesspeople and labor groups seeking to protect their interests • Committees of Congress—investigating committees determine needs for new laws • Members of Congress—experts in certain fields propose new laws • The president—often introduces ideas for laws in the State of the Union Address

21. Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law Bills introduced in either house of Congress • Are read and placed in the Congressional Record. • Are sent to a standing committee to be studied. • Receive hearings by the committees and are amended. • The committee majority can recommend that a bill be passed. • Bills reported out of committee are placed on the calendar for debate. • The bill is voted on and sent to the other house of Congress for consideration. • Approved bills are sent to the president.

22. Section 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law Actions of the president regarding a bill: • sign the bill and declare it a law • veto the bill and send it back to Congress • hold the bill for 10 days, when it becomes a law or is killed by pocket veto

23. SECTION 4 Question: What actions can the president take regarding a passed bill? If Congress is in session, the BILL BECOMES LAW, even without a signature. SIGNS THE BILL and it becomes law The president KEEPS the BILL for 10 DAYS without signing or vetoing it: The president ACTS on a Bill If Congress is not in session, the bill is killed by POCKET VETO. REFUSES TO SIGN and sends back to Congress with rejection reasons – called a VETO.

24. Chapter 5 Wrap-Up • 1. Why did the framers of the Constitution create a bicameral national legislature? • 2. What two methods does Congress have to deal with misconduct by its members? • 3. Who leads the houses of Congress, and how are these leaders chosen? • 4. Why is most of the work of Congress done through committees? • 5. What special powers does each house of Congress have? • 6. How do bills become laws? • 7. What can the president do with a bill passed by Congress?