The Legislative BranchThe Legislative Branch

U.S. CongressU.S. Congress

Responsibilities of CongressResponsibilities of CongressMust RepresentMust Represent– Constituents in Region/DistrictConstituents in Region/District– Needs of NationNeeds of Nation– Political PartyPolitical Party– Interest Groups and lobbyistsInterest Groups and lobbyists

Try to persuade congressman to vote Try to persuade congressman to vote according to their interestsaccording to their interests

– Self and morals Self and morals

RepresentativesRepresentativesNumber based on populationNumber based on populationHouse of Rep.House of Rep.– Term = 2 years (reelection is unlimited) Term = 2 years (reelection is unlimited)

– 435 total in nation– 435 total in nationMustMust

– Live in stateLive in state– 25 years old25 years old– US citizen 7 yearsUS citizen 7 years

SenatorsSenators2 per state2 per state– Meets need of stateMeets need of state– 6 year terms (1/3 of all senators 6 year terms (1/3 of all senators

reelected every 2 years)reelected every 2 years)– MustMust

Live in stateLive in state30 years old30 years oldUS citizen 9 yearsUS citizen 9 years

Deal more with non-domestic issues Deal more with non-domestic issues than House Representatives than House Representatives

Powers Given to CongressPowers Given to CongressEach power reflects goal of PreambleEach power reflects goal of PreambleCongressional Immunity – Congress Congressional Immunity – Congress members cannot be sued while members cannot be sued while speaking in Congressspeaking in Congress

Congress OrganizationCongress OrganizationSpeaker of the House – Presiding officer Speaker of the House – Presiding officer – Large influence on bill passageLarge influence on bill passageVice Pres. – Officer of SenateVice Pres. – Officer of Senate– Cannot debate or vote unless a tieCannot debate or vote unless a tiePresident Pro-TemporePresident Pro-Tempore– presides in senate when VP gonepresides in senate when VP goneFloor LeadersFloor Leaders– Chief officers of parties, guide billsChief officers of parties, guide billsWhips – assistant floor leadersWhips – assistant floor leaders

Intro. Of BillIntro. Of BillOnly rep. or senator can intro. bill to Only rep. or senator can intro. bill to Congress (ie S. 1805 or HR. 1854)Congress (ie S. 1805 or HR. 1854)Appropriation Bill – Designed to Appropriation Bill – Designed to increase spending in specific area; increase spending in specific area; authorizes government to spend authorizes government to spend moneymoney

Committees Committees Function of each committee is to study the bills Function of each committee is to study the bills that belong in their specific areathat belong in their specific areaStanding CommitteeStanding Committee– 17 in Senate and 19 in House17 in Senate and 19 in House– Deal with big issues (educ. Health care)Deal with big issues (educ. Health care)

Study bill, Hold hearings, Propose Changes, Decide if vote Study bill, Hold hearings, Propose Changes, Decide if vote is necessary by whole house or senateis necessary by whole house or senate

Select CommitteeSelect Committee– Deals with problems not covered in Standing CommitteeDeals with problems not covered in Standing Committee

Joint CommitteeJoint Committee– House and Senate members conduct investigationsHouse and Senate members conduct investigations

Conference CommitteesConference Committees– Resolves Differences and sends back to H or SResolves Differences and sends back to H or S

President RolePresident RoleCan sign into lawCan sign into lawCan veto byCan veto by– Sending back unsigned (overrode by 2/3 Sending back unsigned (overrode by 2/3

of congress)of congress)– Pocket Veto – hold for 10 days during Pocket Veto – hold for 10 days during

which Congress ends its sessionwhich Congress ends its session

Stopping a BillStopping a BillFilibusterFilibuster– Senators can block passage of bill by Senators can block passage of bill by

using long speeches in debate) – not in using long speeches in debate) – not in HouseHouse

ClotureCloture– Agreement to end debate on bill Agreement to end debate on bill

(requires 3/5 vote)(requires 3/5 vote)