Lesson 4.pdf

Lesson 4  What Is The Legislative Branch? Article I ___________________________ of the US Constitution outlines the powers and limitations of Congress. It establishes bicameral a___________________________ legislature, a body of Congress two made up of__________ chambers, ea...

Lesson 4  What Is The Legislative Branch? Article I ___________________________ of the US Constitution outlines the powers and limitations of Congress. It establishes bicameral a___________________________ legislature, a body of Congress two made up of__________ chambers, each with different requirements, responsibilities, and constituencies (see pgs. 374-376). The Bicameral Legislature - Requirements The US Senate “Upper House” (see pg. 376). The House of Representatives 100 _____________ members “Lower House” (see pg. 376). Minimum age___________ 30 ___________________ 435 members ______________terms 6-year / no term limits Minimum age of_________ 25 ___________ 17th amendment __________________ 2-year terms / no allowed for direct vote of term limits Senators Representation is based _________ 1/3 of the Senate is up for reelection every 2 years population on_________________________ Representation is Serves the interests of their equal ___________ (2 per state) constituents Serves the state’s interests What is Leadership in The Senate? 118th US Senate (see pgs. 396-397). 47 How many democrats in the US Senate? _________ 49 How many republicans in the US Senate? _________ 4 How many independents in the US Senate? ________ Vice President The _____________________________________ votes in case of a tie and presides over the Senate. In the VP’s absence a President Pro Tempore will preside. At the beginning of each Congressional Session (every 2 years) party leaders are elected by a majority vote of all the senators of their party assembled in a conference or, as it sometimes is called, a caucus. Majority leader Ultimate power belongs to the _____________________________________ who acts as the party’s spokesperson and makes important decisions related to legislation and committee membership (see pgs. 396-397). Chuck Schumer Current Senate Majority Leader: ___________________  Roles of The Senate In the United States, advice and consent “__________________________________________________" is a power of the United States Senate to be consulted on and approve treaties _____________________signed and appointments made by the president of the United States to public positions, such as Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for (Article II, section 2). Appointments - The Senate confirms or rejects the president's nominations for federal judges, Cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, and other public officials Treaties - The Senate approves or rejects treaties negotiated by the president, which must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Senate  What is Leadership in the House of Reps.? 118th US House of Representatives (see pgs. 396-397). 211 How many democrats in the House? _________ 220 How many republicans in the House? _________ 4 How many vacancies? ____________ At the beginning of each Congressional Session (every 2 years) The House votes on the position of Speaker of the House Speaker of the House The ____________________________________ serves the institutional role of presiding officer and administrative head of the House and leader of the majority party in the House. The Speaker also assigns bills to ________________________________ committees and decide when a bill will be presented to the floor for a vote Mike Johnson Current Speaker of the House: ______________  How Are Congressional Districts Created? Dividing up the 435 (see pg. 377). In1929 the _________________________________ Permanent Apportionment Act became law which permanently set the maximum number of representatives at 435. Reapportionment _____________________ the process of reallocating all 435 seats in the House of Representatives based on population. Texas _____________________ gained the following the 2020 Census making the new total of US House Representatives to 38.  How Are Congressional Districts Created? Dividing up 38 (see pgs. 376-378). Redistricting ______________________________- is the process of dividing states into districts. The process of redistricting is left up to the states (usually up to the state legislature). They determine the boundaries of districts. Each district must have approximately the same number of people ________________________ in each district. In TX, 25 out of the 38 districts have a John Carter, R-TX-31 republican representative. How Are Congressional Districts Created? Are congressional districts drawn fairly? Gerrymandering _____________________ occurs when districts are drawn with political intent. The way in which a district is drawn can heavily influence election outcomes.  Roles of Congress Congressional oversight _____________________________________- refers to the efforts of Congress, through committees, to monitor agency rule- making, enforcement, and implementation of congressional policies (see pg. 380). Examples: There was an investigation held on the death of a US ambassador in Benghazi, Libya in 2012 while Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State. In 2024 House Committees are trying to investigate Hunter and Joe Biden for illegal business dealings. In 2021 Congressional Committees investigated the events of Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. In 2018 Mark Zuckerberg testified before committees regarding social media and privacy concerns.  Roles of Congress Impeachment __________________________ is a formal charge by the House on the president (or other members of the executive branch) for “treason, bribery, or other high crimes, misdemeanors” which may result in removal from office. House The _________________votes to impeach Senate The _________________votes on conviction (2/3 vote needed) Andrew Johnson 1868, Bill Clinton 1998, Donald Trump 2019; *Nixon resigned before a full House vote on impeachment 1974 What Are Congressional Committees? Congressional Committees (see pgs. 397-401). Committees __________________________________ – small groups oriented around policy or procedural issues for purposes of dividing up the work of Congress based on specialization. Committees are in the House and the Senate. Committee membership and Chairs are determined by the majority party leadership _____________________________________ Party members who do not have a good relationship with their party leadership may not get the committee assignments they desire.  What Are Various Types Of Committees? Standing Committees ______________________________________________ Permanent committees responsible for a particular policy area House Rules Committee ______________________________________________ The committee that determines how and when debate on a bill will take place ______________________________________________ Select (special) Committees Committees appointed to deal with an issue or problem not suited to standing committees Joint Committees ______________________________________________ Committees made up of members from the house and senate Conference Committee ______________________________________________ Committee formed to reconciled difference in the house and senate versions of a bill How Does A Bill Becomes Law? (see pgs. 401-404).