U. S. Congress Legislative Branch Article I
House of Representatives
House of Representatives 435 smaller constituencies less prestige limited debate one committee assign. All money bills originate here
House of Representatives At least 25 yrs of age Citizen, 7 yrs Resident of state Serve two-year term
apportionment census Article 1, Section 2
gerrymandering
Pennsylvania 12 th
U. S. House, Press Gallery
The Well
Speaker of the House John Boehner (BA-ner) R-OH )
House Minority Leader (formerly the Speaker of the House when the Democrats had a majority) Nancy Pelosi (D, CA)
Special Powers of the House • 1. All originate all $ bills • 2. Can bring impeachment charges • 3. Can select Pres if no candidate receives majority of electoral vote
Senate 100 less formal and rigid rules acts more slowly larger constituencies more prestige unlimited debate two or more committee assignments
At least 30 yrs of age US citizen, 9 yrs Resident of State Serve six-year term
filibuster cloture
Preparations for a filibuster: • Sometimes cots are brought into the hallways or cloakrooms for senators to sleep on. • Filibusters were called: 'taking to the diaper, ' a phrase that referred to the preparation undertaken by a prudent senator before an extended filibuster. . . • Strom Thurmond visited a steam room before his filibuster in order to dehydrate himself so he could drink without urinating. An aide stood by in the cloakroom with a pail in case of emergency.
Special Powers of the Senate • 1. Ratifies treaties negotiated by the President (by 2/3 vote) • 2. Confirm or disapprove of Presidential appointments • 3. Act as a jury in the impeachment process • 4. Can select a VP if no candidate has majority of electoral vote
Senate Majority Leader • Harry Reid - (D-Nev)
Chuck Schumer, D
How Congress works: Committee System
– Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry – Appropriations – Armed Services – Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs – Budget – Commerce, Science, Transportation – Energy and Natural Resources – Environment and Public Works – Finance – Foreign Relations – Governmental Affairs – Health, Education, Labor and Pensions – Judiciary – Rules and Administration – Small Business and Administration – Veterans Affairs Standing Committees of the Senate
How a Bill Becomes a Law An issue gets raised by – President – the people – a member of Congress • Passes through various committees • Must get approved by both House and Senate to go on for President’s signature
President can either: • sign a bill into law • veto it (not sign it)
Congress can: • Override a presidential veto with a 2/3 majority in both houses
Lobbying • To influence legislation • “Inside” by going to meetings, testifying in Congress, etc. • “outside” by media coverage, advertising, letter-writing campaigns, etc. • Often lobbyists are hired by agencies, corporations, etc. to encourage favorable legislation
Pork barrel • Congressional members introduce projects that will benefit their constituency by bringing money or jobs back
logrolling A practice common in the U. S. Congress and in many other legislative assemblies in which two (or more) legislators agree for each to trade his vote on one bill he cares little about in exchange for the other's vote on a bill that is personally much more important to him.
Amendments to Bills Bill Senate: Riders
House: Must be germane
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