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THE LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH
THE LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH The United States
Congressestablished in Article I of
the Constitution
In this presentation, you goal is to understand …
THE STRUCTURE OF CONGRESS
THE POWERS OF CONGRESSTHE ORGANIZATION AND
MEMBERSHIP OF CONGRESS
Congress is bicameral, which means it contains two houses
a direct result of the Great Compromise
HOUSESENATE
THE STRUCTURE OF CONGRESS
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Article I, Section 2
Intended to represent the people representation based on population considered the lower house lower prestige 435 members, each serving a 2 year term Also 5 nonvoting members all seats are up for re-election every 2 years each state has at least 1 member representative seats are redistributed or
reapportioned after every 10 year census Qualifications - 25 years of age, citizen for 7
years, live in the state that they represent
representative seats are redistributed or reapportioned after every 10 year census
THE SENATE Article I, Section 3
Intended to represent the states representation based on equality considered the upper house higher prestige 100 members, serving a 6 year term terms are staggered each state has 2 members - this does
not change Qualifications - 30 years of age,
citizen for 9 years, live in the state that they represent
Representation
Representatives
represent
individual
districtsSenators
represent the entire state
THE POWERS OF CONGRESS
The powers of Congress are limited by the Constitution
There are three types of congressional
powers
DELEGATED or ENUMERATED
IMPLIED
NONLEGISLATIVE
The DELEGATED or ENUMERATED powers
Lawmaking powers specifically listed in the Constitution
IN BLACK AND WHITE (I, 8, 1 – I, 8, 17)
Taxing power (1,8,1)
Borrowing power (1,8,2)
Commerce power (I,8,3 - it’s big!)
Currency power (I,8,5)
Lawmaking powers specifically listed in the Constitution
IN BLACK AND WHITE (I, 8, 1 – I, 8, 17)
War and military power (I,8,11-15)
Bankruptcy power (I,8,4)
Other powers – Copyrights, Lower Courts, Weights and Measures,
Naturalization, D.C.
The DELEGATED or ENUMERATED powers
The enumerated or expressed powers are written in Article
I, Section 8 of the Constitution
IMPLIED POWERS
powers not specifically written in the Constitution
powers that are necessary and proper to carry out the enumerated powers
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18
powers not specifically written in the Constitution
powers that are necessary and proper to carry out the enumerated powers
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18
the NECESSARY AND PROPER CLAUSE is also
called the
it allows Congress to stretch its power
ELASTIC CLAUSE
EXAMPLECongress can set up a
Post Office (it is enumerated in the
Constitution)
But what about
stamps?
TWO HUGE CONGRESSIONAL POWERS
COMMERCE
PURSE
Congress can also propose CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
to be sent to the states for ratification
NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS
powers that do not deal with making laws:
Investigate (both houses)
Impeach (House impeaches, Senate holds trial)
confirm Presidential appointees and treaties (Senate does this)
PARTY LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE
MINORITY LEADER
MAJORITY LEADER
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
MAJORITY WHIP
MINORITY WHIP
REST OF HOUSE
PARTY LEADERSHIP IN THE SENATE
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
MINORITY LEADER
MAJORITY LEADER
VICE PRESIDENT
MAJORITY WHIP
MINORITY WHIP
REST OF SENATE
SOME MORE FUN CONGRESSIONAL INFO
JOURNAL (I, 5, 3)
SALARY (1, 6, 1)
PRIVILEGES & BENEFITS (1, 6, 1)
PENALTIES – Censure and expulsion (I, 5, 2)
A CURRENT CONGRESSIONAL PROFILE
THE 112th CONGRESS
82 male
18 female
356 male
78 female
0 African American
3 Hispanic Americans
2 Asian Americans
0 Native American
44 African Americans
26 Hispanic Americans
9 Asian Americans
1 Native American
47 Republican
51 Democratic
2 Independent (aligned with Democratic Party)
242 Republican
192 Democratic
1 vacant seats
100 members435 members
SENATEHOUSE
The 111th US House of Reps
The 111th US House of Reps
The 111th US Senate
Remember - the basic function of the Legislative Branch is to MAKE LAWS