Chapter 6 Congress Section 1 How Congress is

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Chapter 6 -Congress Section 1 - How Congress is organized?

Chapter 6 -Congress Section 1 - How Congress is organized?

How Congress is Organized Co l. Bicameralism Co nn m ect –Bicameral: Legislature divided

How Congress is Organized Co l. Bicameralism Co nn m ect –Bicameral: Legislature divided into two houses. pr i –Resulted from WHAT COMPROMISE? om cut �The Senate ise �The House � 100 members, 6 year ! � 435 members, 2 year terms of office. �Initiates all revenue bills, more influential on budget. �House Rules Committee �Limited debates. terms of office. �Gives “advice & consent”, more influential on foreign affairs. �Unlimited debates. (filibuster) Census – population count every 10 years Gerrymandering – oddly shaped districted designed to increase votes

How Congress is Organized l. Congressional l Leadership The House – Lead by Speaker

How Congress is Organized l. Congressional l Leadership The House – Lead by Speaker of the House - elected by House members. – Presides over House. – Major role in committee assignments and legislation. – Assisted by majority leader and whips. l The Senate – Formally lead by Vice – – President pro tempore – “for the time being” Really lead by Majority Leader- chosen by party members. Assisted by whips. Must work with Minority leader. Majority party – the party to which more than half of the members belong to Minority party – other party

How Congress is Organized �The Committees and Subcommittees � Four types of committees: �

How Congress is Organized �The Committees and Subcommittees � Four types of committees: � Standing committees: permanent committees and continue their work form session to session � Joint committees: includes members of both Houses � Conference committees: resolve differences in House and Senate bills. � Select committees: created for a specific purpose for a limited time. � Getting on a Committee � Members want committee assignments that will help them get reelected, gain influence, and make policy. � New members express their committee preferences to the party leaders. � Getting Ahead on the Committee: Chairs and the Seniority System. � The chair is the most important position for controlling legislation. � Chairs were once chosen strictly by the seniority system. � Now seniority is a general rule, and members may choose the chair of their committee.

Compare and Contrast: Draw this Chart! Fill it out as you read! Turn it

Compare and Contrast: Draw this Chart! Fill it out as you read! Turn it in at the end of class! House of Senate Representatives Size Terms Powers of Leader Types of Committees

Chapter 6 -Congress Section 2 - The Powers of Congress

Chapter 6 -Congress Section 2 - The Powers of Congress

Legislative Powers �Expressed powers – “Congress shall have the Power…” �Implied powers – Necessary

Legislative Powers �Expressed powers – “Congress shall have the Power…” �Implied powers – Necessary and Proper Clause gives Congress the power to do anything it deems “Necessary and Proper” to carryout its expressed powers � Not stated explicitly � Clause is also known as the Elastic Clause EXAMPLES OF LEGISLATIVE POWERS �Taxing and Spending � Authorization bills – $ allowed (how much money is authorized for that program to spend) � Appropriation bills - $ actually given to that program �Regulating Commerce - trade �Foreign Relations and Treaties – only Congress can declare war.

Nonlegislative Powers �Powers that do not relate to “law-making” �Approving presidential appointees into high

Nonlegislative Powers �Powers that do not relate to “law-making” �Approving presidential appointees into high positions �House has the sole authority to impeach �Oversight and Investigation: important to ensure Executive branch is carrying out the laws appropriately. Limits on Power Am 7 th e �Writ of habeas corpus - cannot stop prisoner form ndgoing J m to court to know why he or she is being held ur en y �Bills of attainders – cannot pass laws that punish a. Tperson t– r i a without jury trial. WHAT AMENDMENT!? l �Things Congress may NOT do: �Ex post facto laws – cannot make something a crime after it is committed.

Categorizing Information: Draw this Chart! Fill it out as you read! Turn it in

Categorizing Information: Draw this Chart! Fill it out as you read! Turn it in at the end of class! Legislative Powers Nonlegislative Powers Denied

Chapter 6 -Congress Section 4 – How a Bill becomes a Law (Yes… we

Chapter 6 -Congress Section 4 – How a Bill becomes a Law (Yes… we skipped Section 3!)

Types of Bills �Two Types of Bills �Private Bills: concern individual people or places

Types of Bills �Two Types of Bills �Private Bills: concern individual people or places �Public bills: apply to the entire nation and general matters like taxation, etc. �Congress considers many resolutions (formal statements of opinions from lawmakers) �Joint resolution – come from both the House and the Senate, and usually do become laws if the president signs it.

From a Bill to a Law STEP 1 – INTRODUCE THE BILL Usually start

From a Bill to a Law STEP 1 – INTRODUCE THE BILL Usually start as an idea, presented either by a person or by special interest groups (organizations made up of people with a common interest that are trying to influence government decisions) �Bills are given a number � Bill #231 in the Senate would be S. 231 and in the House would be H. R. 231 STEP 2 - Committee Action � The Committee Chair decides whether to consider the bill or ignore it � Usually controlled by Standing Committees. . . They can: � 1. they can pass it without changes � 2. mark it up with suggestions � 3. replace it with an alternative � 4. ignore it and let it die out � 5. kill it by a majority vote

STEP 3 – Floor Debate � After the Committee action they are ready to

STEP 3 – Floor Debate � After the Committee action they are ready to be considered by the full House and Senate. � Senate usually goes in the order they are submitted � In the House, the RULES COMMITTEE is like the “traffic cop” and determines the order � The Senate allows riders (amendments that are unrelated to the bill) to be attached to it � Senate can also filibuster � A filibuster can be ended f ¾ of the members vote for cloture. After this no one can speak for more than an hour. STEP 4 – Voting on a Bill � Three types of votes � Voice vote: “yea” or “no” � Standing vote: those in favor stand to be counted � Roll-call vote: a voice vote but in order as they are called � Both the Senate and the House must pass a bill in identical form before it becomes a law if not it is sent to a Conference Committee and gets voted on again. STEP 5 – Presidential Action � The president can do any of 4 things: � Sign the bill and make it a law � Veto it (refusing to sign it) � Ignore it for 10 days and then it automatically becomes a law � If the bill is getting passed close to the end of the Congressional Session, if the president ignores it during the last 10 days of the session it is called a pocket veto and does not get passed.

Sequencing Chart Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5

Sequencing Chart Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5