The Legislative Branch

I. The Members of Congress

A. The Responsibilities of Lawmaking1. To constituents – people he or she

represents2. To the nation3. To his/her political party

4. To interest groups – groups of people who work together for similar interests or goals• Lobbyists – people who represent

interest groups to convince Congressmen to support or oppose bills

• Bill – proposed law

B. Members of Congress at Work1. Learn about issues they vote on2. Be present on the floor of the House or

Senate3. Attend meetings

C. Representatives1. Number of representatives for each

state is determined by the census2. Congressional district – area that a

member of the House represents• Districts are redrawn every 10 years• Gerrymandering – drawing district lines to

achieve favorable political results for one political party

3. Serve a 2-year term • Can be reelected an unlimited

number of times

4. Office ends every other January 3

D. Senators1. Each state is represented by 2 Senators2. Serve a 6-year term• Can be reelected an unlimited number of

times• 1/3 of Senate is up for election every 2

years

E. Requirements, Salary and Benefits1. Must live in the state where elected2. Age requirements• Representatives - at least 25• Senators - at least 30

3. Salary is set by Congress• Receive additional salary for leadership

roles• Get money for running office in DC and at

home

II. Powers of Congress

A. Promote the General Welfare• Laws, regulate commerce, collect

taxes, borrow money

B. Provide for Defense• Provide for army, navy, declare war

C. Establish Justice• Creating federal courts or

impeachment

D. Unlisted Powers• Can make all laws that are “necessary

and proper” for carrying out powers listed in the Constitution

• Called the “elastic clause”

III. Limits on Congress’ Powers

A. Cannot take away individual’s right to a writ of habeas corpus – paper that orders the police to bring you to court to determine whether there’s enough evidence to keep you in jail

B. Can’t pass a bill of attainder – law that convicts a person of a crime w/out a trial

IV.How Congress is Organized

A.Leadership in Congress1. Speaker of the House

a. Chosen by the majority party in the House

b. Is the most powerful member of the House

c. Presides over sessionsd. Appoints committee members

2. President of the Senatea. Vice Presidentb. In charge of sessionsc. Can’t take part in debatesd. Can only vote in case of a tie

3. President pro tempore a. Presides over the Senate when the VP is

goneb. Chosen by the majority party in the Senate

4. Majority floor leadersa. Chief officers of the majority

party in each houseb. Help guide bills through

Congress

5. Minority floor leadersa. Chief officers of minority party

in each house

6. Majority and Minority Whips – a. assistant floor leaders who

persuade members to support party positions

Types of Committees

1. Standing committeesa. Permanent committee studies the bill, holds

hearings and decides whether to recommend it

b. Senate has 19• Armed Services• Foreign Relations• Judiciary

c. House has 21• Appropriations• Rules• Ways and Means

2. Subcommitteea. Formed for very specific jobs

w/in jurisdiction of full committees• House: Livestock, Dairy and

Poultry (w/in Agriculture)• Senate: National Parks

3. Select or special committees – appointed for a limited purpose or time

• House: Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming

• Senate: “ “ Intelligence

4. Joint committeesa. Permanent bodies that include

members of both houses for studies or “housekeeping”

• Joint committee on Printing• Joint committee on Taxation

5. Conference committee - temporary joint committee made up of members of the House and Senate to reconcile a bill to be passed