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Branches of Government = Separation of Powers
Bicameral legislature: having 2 houses in Congress
The Legislative Branch: The US Congress
Representatives must:Be at least 25 years old.
Be a U.S. citizen for the past 7 years.
Live in the state they represent
The House of Representatives
The HOR is based on the number of people living in a state. Each state is guaranteed 1 member. Each representative represents an area known as a congressional district.
There are 435 members in the US House of Representatives.
Special House Powers
• The House has special jobs that only it can do. It can:
• Start laws that make people pay taxes. • Decide if a government official should be
put on trial before the Senate if s/he commits a crime against the country.
The Senate
Senators must:Be at least 30 years old. Be a U.S. citizen for the
past 9 years. Live in the state they
represent
Each state has 2 members in the US Senate. That means that all states are equal. A Senator’s term is 6 years.
Special Senate Powers
• The Senate has special jobs that only it can do. It can:
• Say yes or no to any treaties the president makes. • Say yes or no to any people the president recommends
for jobs, such as cabinet officers, Supreme Court justices, and ambassadors.
• Can hold a trial for a government official who does something very wrong.
National vs. State Government
Federalism: The idea that both the state & national government have powers.
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/federalism.html
Exclusive Powers of the National
Government and State Governments
Reserved Powers = StateExpressed or Enumerated Powers = National
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/federalism2.html
Shared or Concurrent Powers
• Collect taxes • Build roads • Borrow money • Establish courts • Make and enforce laws • Charter banks and corporations • Spend money for the general welfare • Take private property for public purposes, with
just compensation
Powers Denied to the National Government and State
Governments = Limited Government• Grant titles of nobility • Permit slavery (13th Amendment) • Deny citizens the right to vote due to race,
color, or previous servitude (15th Amendment)
• Deny citizens the right to vote because of gender (19th Amendment
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/federalism3.html
Role on the Job
• Trustee – the people ‘trust’ that the official will vote in the constituent’s best interests
• Partisan – the official acts as a member of his/her political party and votes with the party
• Politico – the official votes partially as a ‘trustee’ and partially as a ‘partisan’ to COMPROMISE and get work done
Salary as of 2012
• President Pro-tempore: $223,500 ??• Regular Senator: $174,000 • Majority/Minority leaders: $193,400
• Speaker of the House: $223,500Regular Representative: $174,000
• Majority/Minority leaders: $193,400
Non Salary Benefits & Privileges
• Franking Privilege, tax break on maintaining 2 homes
• Medical care, office space, retirement plan, gyms, travel allowance