Unit 2 The Legislative Branch Bell Ringer 217
Unit 2: The Legislative Branch
Bell Ringer 2/17 Q: Identify who makes up the legislative branch of our government. Describe one role that our legislative branch plays in our government.
Congress Bicameral: 1. House of Representatives (Population, 435) 2. Senate (Equal, 100) a. Historical b. Practical c. Theoretical
Powers of Congress Expressed Powers (ARTICLE I) - Powers listed in Constitution 1. Regulate trade 2. Tax 3. Borrow money 4. Coin money 5. Declare War 6. Maintain Military
Powers of Congress Implied Powers -Powers understood because of Constitution 1. Punish tax evaders 2. Regulate immigration 3. Regulate banking 4. Establish minimum wage 5. Mail fraud
Extra Credit!!! Starts at 8 pm, all major networks. 10 -15 sentences summary of what occurred at the State of the Union 1. What did he talk about? 2. What major issues were addressed? 3. Any policies/ ideas for bills? 4. Any famous people did you see there? 5. What was your opinion of the speech? Did you agree or disagree with what he was saying?
Bell ringer 2/18 Identify 3 qualifications that a representative needs to have in order to be elected into the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives MEMBERSHIP: 435 members, not fixed by Congress Apportioned by population Two year term Chosen by 435 congressional districts Must be 25 years old Citizen 7 years, live in state and (district they represent, not in Constitution) House members tend to be younger, less wealthy, and represent a wider range of occupations
The Senate Must be 30 Citizen 9 years, live in state representing Informal qualifications: Party Name Familiarity Gender Ethnicity Political experience POWERS: Tries all Charges of Impeachment Approves all Presidential appointments Approves all foreign treaties
The Senate 100 Senators (2 per state) Smaller, more responsible Chosen by State legislatures (at large) Senators tend to be older, wealthier, and are from “professions” 6 year term No limit on terms Terms staggered Continuous body: all seats never up at same time
Bell ringer 2/20 With the person next to you, create a list of 5 characteristics that you believe a candidate SHOULD have to be elected as a congressional representative.
Informal Qualifications of Representatives ANYTHING that could help a candidate be elected. Informal qualifications: Party Name Familiarity Gender Ethnicity Political experience Age, education, religion, marital status, etc.
Members of Congress Typically white male, late 50’s, married, educated Job: Delegate: agents of people Trustees: decision on merit Partisans: allegiance to political party Politicos: balance all roles
Informal Qualifications of Representatives http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ufa. Zu. QSkq. F 4 Give 2 examples of some Informal Qualifications that the candidate from Texas is using to help gain support for his campaign in the following video clip.
https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Om. VT 2 Pk. P 1 Bw List 2 informal qualifications that the senatorial candidate from the clip gives about himself.
The National Legislature Term: House: 2 years Senate: 6 years Starts “noon of the 3 rd day of January every odd numbered year” Session: Period Congress assembles and conducts business Recess granted Special Session: Only President calls Congress into special session, can call both houses or individual
Compensation: $168, 000 per year Speaker $212, 000 Senate leaders $183, 500 Many benefits
Powers of Congress Nonlegislative Powers - Powers/duties 1. Electoral Duties: elect of President, VP (no majority) 2. Executive Duties: Confirms appointments/treaties 3. Constitutional Amendments: Propose amendments
Powers of Congress 4. Investigate: information for laws, focus public attention on issue 5. Impeach and Try: bring charges against
“Hail to The Chief” Groups Goup 1: Valerie, Clarisa, Zyria Group 2: India, Sarah , Khaalid Group 3: Micaiah, Joseph, Autumn Group 4: Kevin, Rajae, Brandon - Group 5: Courtney, Embrya, Alyssa - Group 6: Rayneisha, Will, Melina Group 7: Elder, Henry, Fabian
Bell ringer 2/6 Define constituency. How could it be possible for representatives to represent different groups of people within their constituency?
Constituency: An area into which a country is divided for election purposes, and from which a representative is elected to serve in a legislative body.
Senate continued… Prior to 17 th amendment Chosen by State legislatures (at large). 17 th Amendment members of the senate will be elected by Popular Vote
Bell ringer 2/22 “Congress in session is congress on public exhibition, whilst congress in its committee-rooms is congress at work” -Woodrow Wilson (1885) Explain what you believe Wilson meant by this quote.
Committees in Congress Standing: Permanent, considers all bills 20 in House, 16 in Senate Select: Temporary, set up for special purpose Speaker/ President of Senate appoints members Joint: Composed by members of both houses Investigate issues Conference: Temporary Resolves differences on bills in House and Senate Produces compromise
Bell ringer 2/24 Define the following terms: -Constituency -Gerrymandering After defining each, create a list of 3 questions that you may have on either or both of these terms.
Turn and Talk Turn and talk with the person next to you and address the questions that both of you wrote. Take 3 minutes to discuss and see if you can come up with an answer for these questions. Be sure to initial you partners bell ringer for today.
Powers of the House Gerrymandering: District lines drawn to advantage of the political party Leaving districts safe in dominant party Spread opposition thinly among districts, limiting ability to win Creates “safe” districts http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ycent must start in the House. UDBg. Yod. IE
• All Revenue Bills must start in the House • All Charges of Impeachment must start in the House
Bell ringer 10/1 Do you believe that Eddie Murphy’s character Thomas Johnson has been acting as a constituent servant in the movie? What would be some examples of how he is or is not?
Bell ringer 2/18 Think back to the “Government shutdown” that occurred last semester. What do you remember from this shutdown? Why did it happen? Who felt the effects of the shutdown?
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