Ch 10 The Legislative Branch 10 1 The

Ch. 10 The Legislative Branch

10. 1 – The National Legislature n A Bicameral Congress – 2 House Legislature 1. Historical: Most of the Framers of the Constitution were already familiar with the British Parliament (2 Houses: House of Lords & House of Commons) 2. Practical: fair and equal representation in both houses of Congress 3. Theoretical: in hopes that one house might act as a check on the other

Terms & Sessions n Terms of Congress – 2 years – Start Date: January 3 rd of odd-numbered years n Sessions – period of time in which congress assembles and conducts business – 2 Sessions for every term – Adjourning a session can be done by both houses or the president – Special Sessions: called in case of an emergency

10. 2 & 10. 3 – The House & The Senate The House of Representatives 1. Larger body 2. Shorter term 3. Smaller constituencies 4. Younger membership The Senate Smaller body Longer term Larger constituencies Older membership

The House of Representatives 5. Less prestige 6. Lower visibility in the news media 7. Strict rules, limited debate The Senate More prestige Higher visibility in the news media Flexible rules, nearly unlimited debate 8. Most work is done Work is split more in committees, Not on evenly between the floor committees and the floor

The House of Representatives 9. No power over treaties and presidential appointments 10. Single-member district elections The Senate Approves or rejects treaties and presidential appointments At-large elections

Warm-Up (11/16) Name one of the first steps a bill must go through to become law. n Can a bill become law w/o the President signature? n

10. 4 – Members of Congress n Characteristics of Members of Congress – NOT a cross section of the American people n White, male, mid-50’s n 89/538 – Women n 42/538 – African American n 27/538 – Hispanic n 7/538 – Asian n Most are lawyers; 80% have college degrees n Upper-middle class hard-working Americans

Major Roles 1. Representatives: of their constituents (people) – – Trustee: votes by conscience & judgment Delegate: votes by what the people want Partisan: votes by party Politico: uses all of the above to vote 2. Committee Members: screen proposed laws 3. Servants to their constituency

$165, 200/yr. $215, 700/yr. $180, 100/yr. Compensation House & Senate Speaker & V. P. President Pro Tem/ Majority & Minority n Non-Salary: “Fringe Benefits” – Tax deductions – Travel allowances – Health & Life insurance – Retirement plan – Allowances for offices and staff – Franking privilege – mail postage-free – Free printing – Free from arrest while in session (Excluding cases of treason and felony)

24. 2 – The Texas State Legislature n Structure & Size – Bicameral: Senate (31 members) & House (150 members) n Qualifications – Senate – Age: 26; Residency: 5 yrs. Before election and last year within the district of representation – House – Age: 21; Residency: 2 yrs. Before election and last year within the district of representation

The State Legislature Election: Popular vote; November of even -numbered years n Terms n – Senate: 4 years – House: 2 years n Compensation – Salary: $600/month; $10, 000 -25, 000/month for office expenses; Pensions n Legislative Sessions – meets every other year – special sessions