congress – day 1 ms. farr u.s. government. warm-up (yes, warm-up) – 2/23/11 1. what are three...
TRANSCRIPT
Congress – Day 1Ms. Farr
U.S. Government
Warm-up (yes, warm-up) – 2/23/11
1. What are three facts you learned about the Congress yesterday?
2. Besides qualifications and terms of office, what are two additional differences between the House and the Senate?
3. What is one way this bicameral system helps to establish a truly representative democracy?
Vocabulary you will need...
• Bicameral – two-house legislative body• Franking Privilege – allows members of
Congress to transmit mail under their signature without postage
• Seniority Rule – a system that gives the member of the majority party with the longest uninterrupted service on a particular committee the leadership of that committee
More vocabulary...
• Appropriation – approval of government spending
• Cloture Rule – a procedure that allows each senator to speak only 1 hour on a bill under debate
• Filibuster – a method of defeating a bill in which a senator talks until a majority either abandons the bill or agrees to modify it
More vocabulary...
• Gerrymandering – to draw a district's boundaries to gain an advantage in elections
House of Representatives – basic info• Term of office: 2 years• Must be at least 25 years old• Must be a U.S. citizen for 7 years• There are 435 members in the House• Smaller constituencies – districts they
represent are smaller than Senate• House seats are given on the basis of
population
House of Representatives – unique powers
• Chooses President if the electoral college does not produce a winner
• Originates appropriations• Brings charges of impeachment
House of Representatives – other info
• Gerrymandering would affect this house• Why?
• The Reapportionment Act of 1929• Established permanent method for
keeping a constant 435 seats
Senate – basic info
• Term of office: 6 years•1/3 of senators are up for reelection
every two years• Must be at least 30 years old• Must be a U.S. citizen for 9 years• There are 100 members in the Senate• Larger constituencies – only two
senators per state, regardless of population
Senate – unique powers
• Approves treaties• Uses seniority rule• Chooses the vice president if the
electoral college fails• Holds impeachment trials• Filibustering• Approves presidential appointments• Vice President is leader of Senate
Senate – unique powers
• Cloture rule is used in this house• Leadership determined by seniority
rule
Senate – other info
• 17th Amendment• Established direct election of U.S. Senators
by popular vote
Congress – combined responsibilities
• Overrides Presidential vetos• Franking Privilege – Allows members of
Congress to transmit mail under their signature without postage
• Proposes amendments to the U.S. Constitution
• Checks to see that the agencies in the executive branch are working effectively
Congress – combined responsibilities
• Determines Congressional salary• Makes laws• Serves on committees• Represent their constituencies