2. FOR THE LB:
Understand what the main purpose of the Legislative Branch is
Compare and contrast the roles of the House and the Senate
Explain the process of how a bill becomes a law (and why it’s so slow!)
Know how an individual member of Congress makes decisions
FOR BOTH:
Understand how each branch limits and checks the other branch
Understand how each branch works together for the government to
work (laws, impeachment, war, treaties, justices, etc.)
FOR THE EB:
Understand what the main purpose of the Executive Branch is;
Compare the various roles of the President
Explain how the parts of the EB (like the Cabinet) help to enforce laws
Know how an individual member of Congress makes decisions
Articles ____ and ____ of the Constitution
3. ARTICLE ONE
Requirements, Duties, and Characteristics of the
Legislative Branch.
4. Which states gained and lost?
--- after the 2010 census. What are the blue states? Green states?
5. The cup and the saucer … ?
Thomas Jefferson once expressed his doubts
about the usefulness of the Senate. “Why did
you pour that coffee into your saucer?” George
Washington asked. “To cool it,” Jefferson
replied. “Even so,” Washington declared, “we
pour legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool
it.” To
understand
this, first ask:
how are they
6. What percentage is up for election
every two years?
HOUSE SENATE – up for
100% election 33%
SENATE
- not up for re-election
NOW – cup? Saucer?
7. Take North Carolina, for example.
Who represents NC
in the US Senate?
Current senators - Former senators -
Kay Hagan (D),2008 and Edwards (D) and Dole (R)
Richard Burr (R), 2010
Who do they represent? Who are their
constituents?
9. *Who represents NC in the US
House?
North Carolina has ______ districts. What should be true of each district?
Each district should have the same ______ .
10. Who represents NC in the US
House?
How are districts supposed to be drawn?
How are districts actually drawn?
And what does gerrymandering mean?
11. The cup and the saucer … ?
Thomas Jefferson once expressed his doubts
about the usefulness of the Senate. “Why did
you pour that coffee into your saucer?” George
Washington asked. “To cool it,” Jefferson
replied. “Even so,” Washington declared, “we
pour legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool
it.” Now what
does this
mean?
12. The cup and the saucer … ?
The cup = the House
The saucer = the Senate
EXPLANATION: if the public is angry or upset
about an issue, then they can vote out 100% of
the House every two years – but only 33% of the
Senate. Two-thirds of the Senate is “protected”
from the “hot tempers” of the public.
If you are a rep, you must listen to your
constituents; if you are a senator, you have
the luxury of not listening to your
13. Leadership of the House
Article 1, Section 2, Clause 5: The House of Representatives shall choose
their Speaker and other Officers
*Speaker of the House is voted on by the
Representatives.
Currently John Boehner (R-Ohio)
Considered to be the “most powerful person in the
US,” as s/he controls which bills get voted on and
when.
*Republicans and Democrats also elect leaders
to represent their causes, mainly the Minority
Leader.
*Whips: both parties have them – responsible
for getting people “on board” with votes.
14. Leadership of the Senate
Article 1, Section 3, Clause 4: The Vice President of the United States shall be
President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
*The Vice President “leads” the Senate as
the President of the Senate.
*The Vice President only votes to break ties.
Acts as a “presence” to remind the Senate of the
President’s wishes and power.
Article 1, Section 3, Clause 5: The Senate shall choose their other Officers, and also
a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise
the Office of the President of the United States.
*The Senators also elect the the president pro
tempore. (current=Patrick Leahy D-Vermont)
*Only formally takes charge when the VP cannot.
Usually the oldest person in the Senate (Robert
Byrd was 93 when he died in office).
15. *What does seniority mean?
The longer you have been in the Senate and House, the
more “power” you have.
16. Other Requirements and Things
Article 1, Sections 4, 5, & 6
Since 1872, Congress requires all states to hold
elections for Senators and Reps on the same day.
Congressional Record – all votes, speeches and actions
are recorded everyday and available online.
Cannot be arrested or sued (immunity) for something
they say during debate, unless it is a criminal act.
Cannot hold another government job while serving in
Congress.
18. *Enumerated powers of Congress
Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 1-18: Congress shall have the power…
Collect Taxes for the common defense and general
welfare
Taxes must be the same in all parts of the country.
Also gives Congress power to spend money
Borrow money through bonds bought by Americans.
Establish laws on Naturalization:
The process by which an immigrant becomes an
American citizen.
Regulate all trade (between states or countries).
19. *Enumerated powers of Congress
Cont… Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 1-18: Congress shall have the power…
Coin Money!
Determine the value of each piece.
Also regulates weights and measures.
Punish counterfeiting.
Establish Post Offices, delivery of mail.
Develop a system of patents and
copyrights.
Establish courts.
Congress determines the number of courts and
judges at each inferior, or lower court (as in lower
than the Supreme Court).
20. *Enumerated powers of Congress
Cont…
Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 1-18: Congress shall have the power…
Military Powers:
Declare War: The President
may NOT do this!
Create an Army, Navy.
Make rules and raise/spend money for it.
Call for the militia (or National Guard)
to defend nation.
IMPLIED POWERS
Elastic Clause – Congress’ greatest power!
“make all laws necessary and proper.”
Congress can make laws it feels are needed.
Also called the “general welfare” and
the “necessary and proper” clause.
21. *Congress May Not:
Article 1, Section 9: Powers denied to the Federal government.
Suspend Habeas Corpus
Create Ex post facto laws
EPF laws are created to
punish something LEGAL
by making a new law to
make that act ILLEGAL.
You cannot be arrested for
actions in the past.
Create a Royalty
Tax Exports
Spend money without
passing a law first
Pass bills of attainder
A legislative act declaring
a person guilty with no
trial.
