CONGRESS AND THE CONGRESS AND THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

(Article I)(Article I)

Bicameral--two bodiesBicameral--two bodies Provides a check on:Provides a check on:

emotionsemotions powerpower

Different purposesDifferent purposes House--popular sentimentHouse--popular sentiment Senate--restraint, advisor to executive, Senate--restraint, advisor to executive,

continuitycontinuity

Congress has all legislative power Congress has all legislative power (Sec 1)(Sec 1)

OrganizationOrganization QualificationsQualifications

25 years old for House and 30 25 years old for House and 30 years old for Senateyears old for Senate

7 years a citizen for house and 9 7 years a citizen for house and 9 years for Senateyears for Senate

Live in the state representedLive in the state represented Terms-- 2 years in House and 6 Terms-- 2 years in House and 6

years in Senateyears in Senate

OrganizationOrganization NumberNumber

Two Senators per stateTwo Senators per state At least one representative and number At least one representative and number

determined by populationdetermined by population

WYOMING

CALIFORNIA

House has an elected speaker House has an elected speaker Vice President and President Pro Vice President and President Pro

Tempore preside over SenateTempore preside over Senate

Organization (cont.)Organization (cont.)

John Boehner

Daniel InouyeJoe Biden

Organization (Cont.)Organization (Cont.)

Each house judges its elections (Sec 5)Each house judges its elections (Sec 5)

Members protected from Arrest (Sec 6)Members protected from Arrest (Sec 6)

Charles RangleTed Stevens

Unique Powers of Each BodyUnique Powers of Each Body Power to impeach is vested in Power to impeach is vested in

House and power to try in Senate House and power to try in Senate (Sec 3) (Sec 3)

Revenue bills initiated in the Revenue bills initiated in the HouseHouse

Senate approves treaties and Senate approves treaties and presidential appointmentspresidential appointments

Joint Powers Joint Powers (Article 2, Section 8)(Article 2, Section 8)

Impose taxesImpose taxes Borrow moneyBorrow money Regulate commerce with nations & among statesRegulate commerce with nations & among states

Coin moneyCoin money Establish weights & measuresEstablish weights & measures Promote science and the artsPromote science and the arts

Joint Powers (Article 2, Section Joint Powers (Article 2, Section 8)8)

Establish inferior courtsEstablish inferior courts Declare warDeclare war Govern District of ColumbiaGovern District of Columbia

Joint Powers (Article 2, Section Joint Powers (Article 2, Section 8)8)

Make all laws necessary & proper for carrying into Make all laws necessary & proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers. (elastic clause)execution the foregoing powers. (elastic clause)

Joint Powers (Article 2, Section Joint Powers (Article 2, Section 8)8)

Limits on Congress Limits on Congress (Article One, Section (9)(Article One, Section (9)

Can’t suspend habeas corpusCan’t suspend habeas corpus

No bills of attainder or ex post facto No bills of attainder or ex post facto lawslaws

Can’t Tax goods exported from U.S.Can’t Tax goods exported from U.S.

No preference in commerceNo preference in commerce

No titles of nobilityNo titles of nobility

Limits on Congress Limits on Congress (Article One, Section (9)(Article One, Section (9)

Limits on States Limits on States (Article One, Section 10)(Article One, Section 10)

No treaties, wars, armiesNo treaties, wars, armies No coining of moneyNo coining of money No bills of attainder or ex post facto No bills of attainder or ex post facto

lawslaws

No titles of nobilityNo titles of nobility No laws impairing obligation of contractsNo laws impairing obligation of contracts No duties on goods from other statesNo duties on goods from other states

Limits on States Limits on States (Article One, Section 10)(Article One, Section 10)

Differences in House and SenateDifferences in House and Senate

House--larger size requiresHouse--larger size requires Greater formalityGreater formality Stronger leadersStronger leaders More reliance on committees, specialistsMore reliance on committees, specialists Limits on debateLimits on debate

SenateSenate More like a clubMore like a club Less influential leadersLess influential leaders

RULES COMMITTEE

“EXPERTISE”COMMITTEE

Sub-Committee

HOUSE

HOUSE BILL

HOW DOES CONGRESS DO ITS BUSINESS?

How Does Congress Do Its BusinessHow Does Congress Do Its Business??(cont.)(cont.)

PRESIDENT’S SIGNATURE

Joint Conference Committee

HOUSE SENATE

When agreementhas been reached