UNIT 3 THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH CH 10: CONGRESS CH 11: POWERS OF CONGRESS CH 12: CONGRESS IN ACTION CHAPTER 10 CONGRESS SECTION 1: THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE Article I, Section 1 - states that a congress will be established and have a Senate and House This creates a Bicameral Congress Why a Bicameral? Parliament since 1300 All but two (2) states had bicameral What state has a Unicameral today? NEBRASKA THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE Why two houses? Larger states wanted representation on population Smaller states demanded equal voice Bicameralism allows this Senate 2 per state / House per population Framers decided on Bicameral for a self-check Prevents it from overpower Executive and Judicial THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE Each TERM is established for 2 year terms Began meeting on March 4, 1789 20 Amendment changed start of term 3rd of January every odd numbered year SESSION - 2 sessions to each year and its a period of time Congress assembles to conduct business. THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS - Congress suspends or ends session until the next year. Typically stays in session most of the year. Does take breaks during a session Cannot end a session without permission PROROGUE - the power of the President to end a session but only when it cannot be agreed on. THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE SPECIAL SESSION - can only be called by the President and typically deals with some emergency. Only 26 special sessions have been held Most recent in 1948 by President Truman anti-inflation and welfare measures post WWII CHAPTER 10 CONGRESS SECTION 2: THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Size is determined by each state’s population APPORTIONED - provided by the Constitution that the House will be based on the states respective population. Each state is guaranteed at least one seat regardless of size. Article I, Section 2, Clause 1 - Representatives shall be chosen for two-year terms. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REAPPORTION - Congress must redistribute the seats every decennial (10 years). Is determined every ten years by the census Census Bureau develops a plan for reapportionment. If neither house rejects it then it goes into effect. 1929 Reapportionment Act sets the House seats at 435. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Elections held on same day in every state Held on every even-numbered year OFF-YEAR ELECTIONS - elections held between presidential elections. Chosen throughout districts 1 Representative per district. How many districts? 435 This is known as the SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Most states establish districts based on seats States that do not utilize districts use AT- LARGE - elected from the state as a whole. What is a disadvantage of using At-Large voting? 1842 Law forces states to utilize singlemember districts. What is the exception? THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Even with the 1842 Law is it still completely fair? GERRYMANDERING - districts drawn to the advantage of the political party that controls the state legislature. Very common practice today for state and federal elections. Designed to create safe districts. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wesberry v. Sanders 1964 - Supreme Court rules that Georgia’s congressional districts were so great that it violated the Constitution. QUALIFICATIONS 1. MUST BE AT LEAST 25 YEARS OF AGE 2. MUST HAVE BEEN A U.S. CITIZEN FOR 7 YEARS. 3. MUST BE AN INHABITANT OF THE STATE FROM WHICH HE OR SHE IS ELECTED. CHAPTER 10 CONGRESS SECTION 3: THE SENATE THE SENATE 2 Representatives per state = 100 seats Serve for 6 year terms Originally chosen by State Legislatures 17th Amendment - changed to elected by people Terms are staggered 33 or 34 terms expire 2 yrs. CONTINUOUS BODY - all of its seats are never up for election at the same time. THE SENATE Provides some job security Less susceptible to public opinion and special interest groups. Focus more on larger size and geographic picture of the people or constituencies. CONSTITUENCIES - the people and interests the senators represent. Big Picture Focus THE SENATE QUALIFICATIONS 1. MUST BE AT LEAST 30 YEARS OF AGE 2. MUST HAVE BEEN A U.S. CITIZEN FOR 9 YEARS. 3. MUST BE AN INHABITANT OF THE STATE FROM WHICH HE OR SHE IS ELECTED. Able to punish members Expel member with ⅔ vote (15 members) CHAPTER 10 CONGRESS SECTION 4: THE MEMBERS of CONGRESS THE MEMBERS of CONGRESS How do the representatives represent the people? 4 voting options: 1) Trustee - decision based on case merit 2) Delegate - agents of those who elect them 3) Partisan - allegiance to political party 4) Politico - combination of the three THE MEMBERS of CONGRESS Screening of measures or bills Representatives are placed in committees. The committees screen proposals It is their decision on what goes to the floor Also function as an oversight THE MEMBERS of CONGRESS OVERSIGHT FUNCTION - the process by which Congress, through it committees, checks to see that the various agencies in the executive branch are acting in line with the policies that Congress has set by law. FRANKING PRIVILEGE - the ability to send mail free by placing their facsimile signature for postage.
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