congress packet 28. congress the legislative branch of government. responsible for making laws for...
TRANSCRIPT
Congress
• The Legislative Branch of government.
• Responsible for making laws for the U.S.
• Made up of the two “houses” of Congress:
The SenateThe House of
Representatives
The Senate
• Each state has 2 Senators (100 for the country).
• Senators are elected for 6 years (Senator = Six)
•If you’re elected to the Senate: you’re called a Senator.
3 qualifications to become a Senator:
1 2 3
Must be at least 30 years old
Must have been a United States
citizen for at least 9 years
Must live in the state they represent
The House of Representatives•If you’re elected to the House of Representatives, you’re called a
Representative, and you might say you work at “the House.”
•The number of Representatives a state has is based on population: States with more people have more Representatives.
Each state is divided into “districts” based on this population.
•Representatives are elected for 2 years
( House of Representatives)
3 qualifications to become a Representative:
1 2 3
Must be at least 25 years old
Must have been a United States citizen for at least 9 years
Must live in the state they represent
Duties of Congress
• Main duty: to make laws (along with the president). Both houses of Congress and the President must approve a new law for it to take effect.
• Congress can impeach the President and other federal officials (put them on “trial” for doing something wrong). If they’re guilty, they could even remove them from office.
• May create new Agencies to do a certain job for the government, and decide how much money they get to do this new job.
The Senate also has some additional powers:
• Approves or disapproves of people appointed by the President to certain positions (like… Supreme Court Justices).
• Approves or disapproves of official agreements between the United States and other countries.
Congressional Leaders:
SenateHouse of
Representatives
The Vice-PresidentThe Speaker of the
House
Joe Biden right now Nancy Pelosi right now
All the business of Congress:
• Are recorded in: “The Congressional Record”• Important documents will go to the National Archives.• General day to day things will be saved on discs.