Unit 3 Legislative Branch
SSCG4 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the
organization and powers of the national government. a.
Describe the structure and powers of the legislative,
executive, and judicial branches. b. Analyze the
relationship between the three branches in a system of
checks and balances and separation of powers.
SSCG9 The student will explain the differences between
the House of Representatives and the Senate, with
emphasis on terms of office, powers, organization,
leadership, and representation of each house.
Legislative Branch
Organization of the Congress of the United States
How a Bill becomes a law.
Lobbyists Special Interest Groups and PACs
✔
Organization of the Congress of the United States
•Bicameral Legislature
•House of Representative,
membership based on
population
•The Senate, membership
based on equality
•Constitutional Power to
Legislate
Qualification for Office
•House; 25 Years old, Citizen
of U.S. and State, 7 Years a
resident
•Senate; 30 Years old, Citizen
of the U.S. and State,10 Years
a resident.
Terms of Office
•House of Representatives 2
Years
•Senate Six Years
•All 435 House members elected
every two years
•1/3 of Senate every two years
Apportionment Reapportionment
•Senate is based on equality
two per state-No Change
•House is based on population
of State-Changes
•Census every ten years
•Size of state as percentage of
the 435
•Each state must have 1North Dakota
•California 35 Georgia 14
Leadership
•House; Speaker of the House
named by Constitution
•Senate; President of the
Senate, Pro-Tempore
•Senate Majority Leader real
power
•Majority and minority
Leaders
•Majority and Minority
Whips
Congressional Powers
•Constitutional Powers; Found in
Constitution (expressed, written,
enumerated, stated)
•Commerce Powers; Interstate,
Tariffs on Imports, Money and
Banking, Copyrights, Patents
•Foreign Policy, Military, Treaty and
Ambassador approval
•Non Legislative
•Elect President, VP, if Electoral
College Fails
•Impeachment and Removal
Denied Powers
•Article 1 Section 9
•Habeas Corpus; deliver
the body
•Bill of Attainder;
Punishment without trial
•Ex Post Facto; Laws
passed after the Fact