Unit 3:The Legislative Branch

The Structure of the Legislative Branch

The Structure of the Legislative Branch

Main Idea:Introduction to the Legislative Branch

Notes:• The Legislative

Branch was designed by the Constitution to hold the most responsibility for the development of our Republic (aka Representative Democracy) and was intended to be the largest.

The Structure of the Legislative Branch

Main Idea:Introduction to the Legislative Branch (cont’d.)

Notes:• It is also the only

branch of our federal government that members are directly elected by the people.

The Structure of the Legislative Branch

Main Idea:Bicameral Legislature

Notes:• In the U.S., we have a

Bicameral (or 2 house) Legislative Body:1. The House of

Representatives2. The Senate

• Together these two chambers are referred to as Congress.

• A legislative term in Congress is 2 years in length. There are 2 sessions in a term (1 year each), with breaks and recesses included.

The Structure of the Legislative Branch

Main Idea:Formal Qualifications for Members of the House of Representatives

Notes:• There are 435 seats in the

House of Representatives. Each state gets a portion based on population (census info.)

• To be eligible for election in the House of Representatives you must:1. Be at least 25 years old.2. Be a citizen of the U.S. for at

least 7 years.3. Be a legal resident of the state

you wish to represent (and usually of the district).

The Structure of the Legislative Branch

Main Idea:Formal Qualifications for Members of the Senate

Notes:• There are 100 seats in

the Senate, two senators representing each state.

• To be eligible for election in the Senate you must:1. Be at least 30 years old.2. Be a citizen of the U.S. for

at least 9 years.3. Be a legal resident of the

state you wish to represent.

The Structure of the Legislative Branch

Main Idea:Taking Office in Congress

Notes:• Both the House and

Senate have their new members take office on Jan. 3, following their November election.– The Senate serves 6 yr

terms and only 1/3 of the members are up for re-election every 2 years. That way there is continuity.

The Structure of the Legislative Branch

Main Idea:Benefits for members of Congress

Notes:• The 27th Amendment allows

Congress to set its own salary—but only in election years.

• “The Franklin Privilege” gives members free postage and stationary to conduct business.

• Members are given an allowance to pay for aides and office staff, trips home, communication devices.

• Members are also given tax incentives and up to $150,000/year “for life” pension.