Warm up

Answer the following questions.

DO NOT USE YOUR BOOK!

1. Which branch of government did the founders want to be the most powerful?

2. How were Senators originally elected?

3. What fraction of Senators must run for election every two years?

Congressional Membership

House of

Representatives

Senate

Qualifications P.69 Article I Section 2 Clause2

P.70 Article I Section 3 Clause 3

Number of

members

Term of office

Representation based on:

Salary

Benefits and

Privileges

Congressional Membership

House of

Representatives

Senate

Qualifications

Number of

members

Term of office

Representation based on:

Salary (in 2012)

Benefits and

Privileges

25 years old, citizen for 7 years, resident of state representing

30 years old, citizens for 9Years, resident of staterepresenting

435 100

2 years 6 years

population equality

$174,000

Stationary, postage, medical clinic, gym, can’t bearrested while attending Congress or on their way to or from Congress

The Functions of Congressp.416-420

• Lawmaking

• Representation– Trustee v. Instructed-delegate views

• Service to Constituents

• Oversight

• Public-Education

• Conflict Resolution

Powers of Congressp.420-421

• Know some of the enumerated powers Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 1-17 AND 12th, 16th, 20th and 25th Amendments (impose taxes, spend, regulate commerce, declare war, override a veto, propose amendments)

• Powers of the Senate (treaties, presidential nominations of ambassadors, Supreme Court)

Powers of Congress, cont.

• Necessary & Proper Clause, Article I, Sec 8

• Checks on Congress: (veto of President, Supreme Court, House elections every 2 years, Senate vs. House)

House/Senate Differences

House Senate

Constitutional

Differences

Local districts Entire state

2-year term 2-year term

Originally elected by voters Orig. elected by state legis (until 1913)

May impeach May convict

Process and Culture

435 100

More formal

Debate limited Extended/filibuster

Less prestige More media coverage

More partisan More individualistic

Specific Powers

Originates bills for raising $ Advise/consent pres on appts & treaties

Miscellaneous Info

• Congress is not representative of the US population p.424

• Congressional Elections & The Power of the Incumbency p.424-428

• Congressional Apportionment p. 428-434

• Perks & Privileges p. 434-435

How a Bill Becomes a Lawpage380

• A bill starts when a Congressman writes and introduces it to the House.

• The bill then goes to a committee where it is debated. • If it does not die in committee, the bill is voted on in the

House. • If the bill passes, it goes to the Senate where the

committee process is repeated. • If the bill does not die in committee, it is voted on in the

Senate. • If the bill passes the Senate, it goes to a conference

committee to work out any differences.• Each house then votes on the compromised bill.• If it passes both houses, it goes to the President.• If he signs the bill it becomes a law. • If he vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with

a 2/3 vote in each house.

Remember!!!

• All bills that deal with money, either taxing or spending, must start in the House.

• All money that the government spends is appropriated by Congress.

How Work Gets Done in the House of Representatives

Responsibilities of House Leaders

Speaker of the House

Majority Leader

Minority Leader

Whips

Responsibilities of House Rules Committee

How Work Gets Done in the House of Representatives

Responsibilities of House Leaders

Speaker of the House

Majority Leader

Minority Leader

Whips

Responsibilities of House Rules Committee

The Boss, decides who gets to do what (talk, committees)Page 375

Helps plan the majority party’slegislative Program, assistthe SpeakerPage 376

Helps plan the minority party’s legislative programsPage 376

Enforcer, makes sure members are present to vote and vote the “right” way

Enters major bills on house calendars, moves some bills ahead of others, may include time limits for debate on a bill, specifies how mucha bill may be changed or amended, settles disputes among House committees, delays or blocks bills that leaders do not want to be voted on (SEE PAGE 374)

Responsibilities of Senate Leaders

Vice President

Majority Leader

Minority Leader

Whips

President Pro Tempore

Responsibilities of Senate Leaders

Vice President

Majority Leader

Minority Leader

Whips

President of theSenate, breaks tie votesPage 377

Plans Senate work schedule and agendaPage 377

Develops criticisms of majority party’s bills, plans legislativeprogram for minority partyPage 377

Makes sure Senators are present for key votesPage 378

President Pro Tempore – temporary presiding officer of the Senate in theabsence of the Vice President, mostly a ceremonial position page 377

Similarities and Differences in House and Senate Procedures

House Senate

Similarities and Differences in House and Senate Procedures

House Senate

Speaker presides and controls who speaks

Formal atmosphere

Five calendars

Many ways to delay or block bills

VP presides but can’t vote unless to break a tie

Informal atmosphere

Only two calendars

Few ways to block bills – But has filibuster

Members introduce bills

Majority leaders control flow of bills

Minority leaders plan to oppose majority

party’s bills

Committees in the House and Senate• Standing committees

– deal with large issues that affect the nation• Subcommittee

– specializes in subcategory of standing committee’s business

• Select committee – study a specific issue and report findings to the House or Senate

• Joint committee – act as study groups that report findings to both houses

• Conference committee – resolve differences btwn House and Senate version of a single bill