Article 1The Legislative

Branch

The 3 Branches of Government• Article 1- Legislative• Article 2- Executive• Article 3- Judicial

Which is stronger?

Technically no branch is stronger than any other!

The Framers created a series of checks and balances in order to limit the powers of each branch.

A check means to limit power in order to balance the power of the branches.

What is the Legislative Branch?• Legislative…What does this word sound like?

• To “legislate” or to make and pass laws for the people

• Congress is composed of representative to represent the people on a federal level.

The Great Compromise

• Virginia Plan- Based on Population

• New Jersey Plan- Equal representation

• The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)- Created two methods of representation by essentially combining the previous plans

• 3/5ths Comprimise

Bi-Cameral LegislatureThe Framers developed a Bi-cameral legislature:

House of Representatives

SenateProportional Representation: Based on Population

Equal Representation: Every state gets 2

House of Representatives• Based on the population of a a state- “Majority

rule”. H.O.R. members serve for 2 year terms!• Qualifications: 1. Must be at least 25 years

old 2. Must be an

American citizen for at least 7 years

3. Must live in the state when

electedFun Fact- John Dingell From Michigan served longer than anyone else in the House- over 59 years!

Senate• Equal representation- 2 members of every state are chosen (6 year

terms• Qualifications: 1. Must be at least 30

years old

2. Must be an American

citizen for at least 9 years 3. Must live

in the state when elected

Fun Fact- Strom Thurmond served 47 years and 149 days, only Senator to reach age 100 in office

Important Positions and terms in Congress

House Of Representative

• Speaker of the House- Leader of the H.O.R. from the majority party (3rd in line for presidency- 25th Amendment)

Senate• Senate President- The V.P.• Senate Pro Tempore- The

leader of the Senate when the V.P. is not around (senior member of majority party

• Filibuster- A long speech made to avoid a vote on a certain issue.

• Majority Leader- head of leading party

• Minority Leader- head of smaller party

BothWhip- tells party members how to vote (there are minority and majority whips)

CHECKS AND BALANCES

PowersMajor powers of Congress

include:1. Able to tax2. Decalare war and control

military spending3. Pass laws4. Approves Presidential

appointees and has impeachment powers

ChecksLimits or checks on Congress’s

power includes:1. The President gets a say as

to what laws get passed2. The Supreme Court can

rule a law made by Congress unconstitutional

Quick Quiz

1. What is a bicameral legislature?2. The legislative branch is composed of the

_______________ and the _____________.3. What are the three qualifications for Senate? The

House of Representatives?4. Who is the President of the Senate?5. What are checks and balances?6. What are the pros and cons of checks and balances?