foundations of united states citizenship lesson 5, chapter 61 u.s. national government

Foundations of United States Citizenship

Lesson 5, Chapter 6 1

U.S. National GovernmentU.S. National Government

From the ReadingFrom the Reading• When Does Congress Meet?• What types of bills does Congress decide?• How is the president elected?• What are the rules for presidential

succession?• What types of cases are heard in federal

courts?

ResponsesResponses• Each term starts on Jan 3 in odd-numbered years and

lasts for 2 years – is divided into 2 sessions – Congress may also meet in special sessions

• Private bills, public bills, resolutions• Through Electoral College – each state appoints

electors who vote for one of the major candidates• 1947 Presidential Succession Act – Vice Pres.,

Speaker of House, President Pro Tempore of Senate, Sec of State, then other members of cabinet

• Federal, state, or Constitution-related cases


Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

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MotivationMotivation• The role of each

branch of our government is outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

• The government has also had to adapt to changes over time.



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What is the function of the legislative branch?

What is the function of the legislative branch?

• Legislative branch has 535 members.

• Primary role is to make new laws, impose taxes, and address issues.

• Elected representatives are known as members of Congress.



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When does Congress meet?When does Congress meet?

• Each term of Congress• Starts on January 3 in odd-numbered years• Lasts for two years• Is divided into two sessions

• Congress may also meet in special sessions.



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What are the two parts of Congress?

What are the two parts of Congress?

• At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the delegates decided that Congress would be a bicameral body.

• The two parts of Congress became the House of Representatives and the Senate.



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What are the two parts of Congress? (cont’d)


• House of Representatives• Larger body of Congress• 435 voting members, allotted to the states

according to population• One representative for each district in a state• Two-year terms• Focusing on concerns in individual districts



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• Senate• 100 members, 2 from each state• Each senator represents entire state• Terms of 6 years• No more than one-third of senators up for

reelection at same time



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What are the roles of Congressional leaders?What are the roles of

Congressional leaders?• At beginning of each term, party

members in each house choose leaders.• Speaker of the House

• Is most powerful leader within the House of Representatives

• Steers legislation• Takes charge of floor debates• Is in line of presidential succession



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What are the roles of congressional leaders? (cont’d)


• Senate has no leader with power comparable to that of the Speaker of the House.

• The Vice President, rarely attends Senate debates and votes only in case of a tie.

• The presiding officer of the Senate is the President Pro-Tempore.



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• Floor leaders• In the Senate: the real leaders• In the House: most powerful besides the Speaker• Speak for their parties on issues• Push bills along• Try to sway votes

• Party “whips”• Help the floor leaders



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What is the function of congressional committees?


• Detailed work of lawmaking is done in committee.

• Standing committees—permanent committees that continue their work from session to session

• Select committees—committees created to do a special job for a limited period



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(cont’d)


(cont’d)• Joint committees—committees that

include members of both houses

• Conference committees—temporary committees that help the House and Senate agree on the details of proposed laws



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(cont’d)


(cont’d)• Longest-serving committee member

from majority party usually becomes chairperson.

• A chairperson of a standing committee decides• When and if a committee will meet• What bills will be studied• Who will serve on which subcommittees



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What types of bills does Congress consider?

What types of bills does Congress consider?

• Private bills concern individual people or places.

• Public bills apply to the entire nation and involve general matters.

• Congress also considers resolutions.



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How does a bill become a law? (cont’d)


• Only senators and representatives can introduce bills.

• Every bill is given a title and number.• The bill is sent to the appropriate standing

committee.• The chairperson of the committee decides if

the bill merits attention. • Standing committees have life-and-death

power over bills.



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• Bills approved in committee are considered by the full House or Senate.• Bills are put on calendars in chronological order.• The Rules Committee controls the House schedule.

• When bills reach the floor, members debate the pros and cons.

• They may also discuss amendments.• The Senate allows riders to be tacked onto a bill.



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• Members of Congress may vote on a law in several ways:• Voice vote• Standing vote• Computerized voting system• Roll-call vote (Senate)



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• A simple majority of all members that are present is needed to pass a bill.

• If a bill passes in one house, it is sent to the other.

• If either house rejects a bill, it dies.

• The Senate and House must pass a bill in identical form. (2/3 majority needed)



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• After both houses of Congress approve a bill, it goes to the president.

• Four possibilities• President signs bill, and it becomes law.• President vetoes bill.• President does nothing for ten days.

• Result depends on whether Congress is in session.• Congress can override a presidential veto.



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Lesson reviewLesson review• Function of the legislative branch

• Make new laws• Address issues facing the country

• Typical session of Congress lasts from January until November or December.• May also meet for a special session or a joint

session



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Lesson review (cont’d)Lesson review (cont’d)• Two parts of Congress

• House of Representatives• Senate

• House of Representatives• Larger body: 435 voting members• Members allotted to states according to

population



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Lesson review (cont’d)Lesson review (cont’d)• Senate

• 100 members, 2 from each state• Each senator represents entire state• Terms of 6 years• Elections staggered

How Many Votes?How Many Votes?• Are needed to pass a bill from the

Senate to the House? (2/3 of members)

• Are needed to pass a bill from the House to the Senate? (2/3 of members)

• Are needed to pass a bill from the House and Senate to the President?

• Are needed for states to agree? (3/4)



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foundations of united states citizenship lesson 5, chapter 61 u.s. national government

Documents

national government

members of congress

sessions congress

parts of congress

term of congress

time slide

speaker of house

sec of state